Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-04-11
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FRIDAY MORNING., APRILll, 1915.
THE RAIL ROAD.

ms subject is the engrossing topic of the
times, and will doubtless prove fruitful
theme for discussion until the question is
settled by the construction of road. Our
remarks Of week before last have been ex-
iensisely copied, and while our explanations
and suggestions have been well received at
Boston and other points on the contemplated
route, they have also been subjected to Sc
we're aminadverslon in other quarters and
the two communications we publish will serve
as sample Of several missives, direc, in
direct, that have reached US within few
days. The writers of both articles are sound
to consideration, and who discuss the SUBJ
irct with commendable candor and fairness.
But Mr. Reed seems to labor under mis-
apprehension as to distance. The survey
shows the southern route twenty-five miles
shorter than either of the others, making a
difference OF haifa million in the cost of the
work; and Ills, we imagine, would be re-
garded by capitalists as a pretty important
difference. The suggestion that the business
of this road might be diverted from Boston,
bva siIe-cut at Rutland, it seems to us is
not well founded. Ii does not follow that
because Boston has successfully taped New
York thol oughfare, that New York could
with like success perforate the "jugar" of
the Bos,onians. Why does western produce
60 over the road from Albany, instead of
passing down the river and following nat.
nral water course, at haJth expense? For
the reason that "ine is moncy"-that des-
patch and certainty are the controlling lnnu.
ences with this higl,-prcssure genera,ion.-
But Why does this produce and business 90
to Boston at all, instead ofdropping down to
N. York, at one quarter the expense? Be-
cause Boston being IA manufacturing, con-
suming region, is the best market for pro-
duce, and for domestic goods, and conse-
qnenly the point the country merchant
seeks. For these, and numerous other ren-
sons, it is, that the Northern Canal and the
North River can never successfully compete
with roil road to Boston, across the coun-
try Were we IA sockholder in road from
this TO Boston, and the question was submit.
ted, whether Whitehall should be allowed 10
tap 1t at Rnlland, we should have no hesita-
ton in yielding a ready assent, under the
conviction that il would increase, rather than
diminish its business. The suffering from
this connection and the jnxtaposilIon of the
road and water courses, would be on the
part of lake and canal navigation, and the
trade Of Northern New York diverted to
Boston. The Bosionians, then instead Of
hazarding any thing by the southern rou,e,
would gain in distance, and secure the laddi-
tional business that more soulherly sweep
will encircle.
The advantages claimed by our cores
pendent for the charter Of the central road,
do not amount to much. The legislature,
when it granted the central charter did not
intend to ioreclose itself against even par
allel grant. whenever the public interest re-
qured it 4; and we are quite sure that IA SOUTH
ern road will never be required to terminate
at Burlington, merely because another char.
ter conveys "A right to connect with Canada
at some underlined point between Lakes
Champlain and Memphremagog There's
an extensive country north.
Let us not be understood as hostile 10
an eastern road. We are for the road. south
or east. But, we mus, confess, that, looking
at all the elements involved in tho question:
the distance, the feasibility of the routes, the
the inducements capitalists will have to in
vest, and the chances for an immediate result
our convictions lead us south. We are
empliatcaly OF and for this generation; and
we hope and expect 10 see it make spoon
or spoil horn.