Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-01-25
VOL. 5O....NO. 4.

per mile from Concord TO Connecticut river in Ieb.
anon as from Fltchburg to Bellows Falls. From
Lebanon TO Montpelier, the writer is not aware that
any survey has been made upon the route proposed,
but from his knowledge OF the country, he believes
that road can be built at an expense not exceed-
ing S2i geo the mile. From Bellows Falls TO Rut-
land. which includes the passage OF the Green
Mountains, in Mount Holly, the difficult, parts Of
the route have been surveyed and |, Is ascersined
that road can be built at cost Of not than
$40, 900 the mile. From Montpelier to Burlington,
and from Rutland to Burlington, no surveys have
been made; there is no doubt, however, but a road
may be buili upon either Of these routes, although
in the valley OF Onion River there are obstacles no,
existing upon Otter Creek; which would greatly
enhance the expense Of the work. and make it in
the aggregate exceed the Of the road from Ru,-
land to Burlington, although the distance is % miles
less. The cost Of railroad from Concord to Bur
lington would be somewhere about four millions Of
dollars, or e23 500 the mile: from Fhchburg to
Burlington abou, three and half millions Of dol.
lars, or $20, 900 She mile in neither case exceed
ing the amour, stated nor will the difference of tho
cos, be less. These statements, with regard to tho
distances nearly accurate; with respec, to the
expense, as accurate as the limited extent OF tho
surveys will admit.
|
operation at the least expense. The grades being
about equal the cost of running train ofcars upon
each will be about the per mile during tho
summer. In the winter it viii be very different
The average quantity of snow which annually falls
upon the route between Richmond VI. and Franklin
N. H., distance OF 1873 miles, is equal to what
falls in any part ofNew England. south of 40 deg.
80 min From Burlington tn Shrewsbury, a dis.
lance Of 70 miles, the quantity ofsnow which
ally falls is less than in any other part Of the inter
or Of New England, less than upon the route be-
tween Boston and Lowell the quantity 10 so small
indeed, that from that cause there scarce ever wo'd
he any necessity for detention. From Lebanon to
Nashua the average depth OF snow 10 about the
same from Shrewsbury to Fitchbur2. With re-
spect to liability to injury from freshets, tho routes
are about equal, with the exception Of the portion
between Rutland and Burlington, which would be
remarkably free from risks arising from sudden or
violent rains or thaws.
As to which route would furnish the greatest a.
mount of freight, there can be no doubt The most
productive part of Vernon, is upon the west side Of
the Green Mountains. The two most productive
counties in the state Rutland and Addison furnish
ing greater amount Of export tonnage than any
other four counties, would not add a pound to ths
freigh, upon a road by Montpelier: willie a route
agricultural exports Of these two counties are very
great, and they furnish nearly all the iron, marble
and manganese produced in Vermont. There is no
doubt If a railroad from Boston was extended through
those two counties, it would annually take from
them more than 25 600 tons Of freight. The only
mineral products that would add to the freight of
railroad upon the northern route the soap stone
of Bethel, an inferior article, and the coperas Of
STAFFORD. Granite Is too common upon almost tho
whole route TO be an article Of transportation.
Blu, to the people of Boston, the most important
consideration is, which routh, supposng a road was
built only upon one, would direct the greatest a.
mount Of business to that city, which, while she
kept her old, would give her and most i'm
portant tradel An inspection of map of New
England will at once give answer to the ques-
ton. All the trade which she now has with New
Hampshire. and Vermont, or could have by road
through Montpelier to Burlington, she would also
have by road through Rutland to Burlington, with
the addition Of the business Of Addison Rutland and
part OF Bennington counties. The exports Of
those counties chiefly live cattle and sheep,
WOOL pork, butter, chez se starch, copperas, iron,
and its manufactures manganese, marble and lime,
all Of which find better market in Massachusetts
than in Troy or New York-so much better, that a
railroad through those counties would have nothing
10 fear from any competition with the Northern Ca
nal That portion of Vermont now customer of
other cities would make nearly all its purchases in
Boston, and thus furnish freight in both directions
r for the road. 1t may be safely assumed that the
receipts for freight upon this road from Fitciburg
to Burlington at the average rate Of three cents the
ton per mile, would exceed $500 600 the first year
after its completion, and fiom passengers quite an
equal sum- The general direction Of the route,
and the amount of business done upon ii, would un-
doub,edly give it much greater number Of passen
gers than its northern competitor could in any O.
vent receive.
The conclusion from the foregoing facts is, that
railroad firm Boston to Burlington upon the south
ern route will be the shortest-the least expensive,
furnish the largest amount OF freight, and The great
est number Of passengers, and at the lime lay
) open for The trade Of Boston rich and important
country, which the northern route will not do IL
must be- therefore, that all most interested In the
prosperity of Boston, and acquainted with the char
acer and resources Of the two rouies will give the
southern one the preference II will direct 10 Bos-
ton a trade which Troy and New York have for
many years almost exclusively enjoyed, and which
would in no way be effected by the construction Of
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