Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-12-02
Central Railroad---Bridge.

Central Railroad---Bridge.
In noticing the opening of the Northern IN
H. Road to Lebanon, The editor of the Burling
ton Free Press thus speaks Of the Central;
The opening of this portion of the Northerr
Road continues and completes the line, from Bos
ton towards Lake Champlain, l40 miles. The
completion ofthe Vermont Central to North6elt
by the list OF July next, which is confidently ex
pected, and which, from our own observation o.
the progress that has already been made and il
making on this portion OF the line, we doubt moi
will be accomplished, will add some 55 or sc
miles more to this important road. We noticed
that the rails are already laid for some miles
north from the Connecticut, and that the noble
and massive masonry of the Bridge across that
river, under the efficient and judicious mapare
ment of the very able Contractor, Mr. Campbell
is nearly finished. The piers and abutmen,s OF
this fine structure are of granite, and their i'm.
nense strength and admirable form of construc-
ton, adapts them effectually to defy the power
OF The sometimes turbulent and angry floods they
Will have to encounter. We are glad to learn
that Mr. Campbels excellent ability, as Con-
tractor and Engineer, is likely to be employed in
the building Of the important bridge near the
mouth of White River.
We had the pleasure Of examining the beau
tlul edhce, now in progress of erection and
nearly completed, for Passenger Depot and Of.
fees, at Mortified. 1T was designed by Mr.
Young, the accomplished architect of the State
House, and It appears to us that no skill or ingc-
nmty could devise more Convenient structure
Tor The purposes contemplated while in its arch
ltectural form and finish it will be highly impos.
ing and ornamental. 1t consists of centre
building with columned Main Entrance. and
wings with graceful porticos extending along
their whole front. The Edifice is 200 feet long
and the centre some 90 feet deep. The fine
manner in which the grounds have been graded
Tor the reception OF this Depot, and the Engine
House, Machine Shop, &c. that are in progress,
adds materially 10 the general effect of the whole
upon the observer. Gov Paine has reason to
congratulate himself on The admirable character
OF the arrangements in Northfeld, but we intend
to "show him thing or two" when our Piers
and Quays and Depot Grounds and Buildings
are completed at the Burlington terninus
Here is an item or two which we have not
considered exactly settled. Now TO the Bridge,
After abiding 10 the postponemcnt of the Bridge
bill, the Free Press continues
But the Wdtchman and the Messenger claim
that the right that was thus directly denied, was
Immediately after indirectly, and bv implication
merely, granted Now all we desire at this
time TO say is, that the charter of the Vermont
and Canada Railroad did not, originally, give the
company the right TO bridge the navigabie waters
OF the Lake, las that Co. admitted by asking the
Legislature, not for the imnateria alteration cf
striking out sir cords from the charter, which il
is now claimed conters upon them that right, bu,
for express aud direct authority to construct
bridges at Missisquoi Bay aud Rouse's PoinN
nor, in the judgment of gentlemen competent 10
decide the matter, does the alteration alluded TO
abriGge or enlarge their right, in that respcct.
hairs breadth.
We deem it due to fairness and plain dealing
that this statement should be made; and it is
due no less 1t seems to us, to the character and
dignity of the Legislature, If the Lake is TO be
brdged, either at Rouses Point or MssisQuoi
Bay let 1t be done under direct and open grant
OF power tor that purpose, and we will be con.
tent But Till such power is conferred, bu the
authority hauing jurisdiction in Tie premises, we
do not mean it shall be done incidentally nor ac-
cidentally. Our own opinion is that Vermont
has no higher commercial and economical inter
est than that which should lmpc her to resist
the project Of obstructing her navigable waters /;
and those who choose 10 impute to US narrower
motives in opposing the project materially mis-
take II they suppose such iinputations Will les
sen that opposition.
We haPpento have excellent authority for as
seTling that the Vermont and Canada could
bridge navigable waters under its original char
ter; and that the removal of the limitation, re-
qulrng the road to pass the sand bar, leaves to
that Company the right to cross Missisguoi Bay
and BY bridge, if il chooses 10 do SO. The
charter explicitly confers the right TO cross any
stream Of todter, or Dater course" and what au-
thor!ty has the Free Press, or any body, TO say,
that this does not apply to napigable waters?-
Certainly there is no Limitation or qualification
in the charter, except the words which have now
been stricken out The action of the COMPANY,
In asking for the specific right to bridge at Rouses
font and Missisquoi Bay is by no means an ad-
mission of lack ofpower 10 bridge on their char
tered line. That line did mol cross Missisouo
bay, nor the Lake at Rouses Point there the
company did not possess the RICH, to bridge by
'heIr charter This right they asked for AMI the
admission implied simply is that they could not
bridge where they preferred. The company still
needs the right to bridge at Rouse's Point; and
we have no doubt it will be granted, be the ap-
pllcatlon made wherever it will. The truth is,
the right is reasonable; there is no possible
ground upon which distinction can be made
between carriers by water and by railroad, so as
10 CONFER privileges upon one TO the exclusion OF
the other. The good common sense of the peo-
pie never will tolerate exclusivencss like that
But we do not intend to argue the question
that would be useless so far as our valiant friend
ct the Free Press is concerned-for he has de-
clared that he permit even the Legislature to give
the bridge; that until the grant to bridge is con
fered Shy the authority having jurisdiction II
the premises" land his position is that the State
OF Vermont has no jurisdiction,) he does no
mean it shall be done incidentally or accidental
ly. Dear General! we beg you to be merciful
Don't demolish the good state of Vermont instan
ter. Don't break down bridges without fair no
tice. Just tell us Vhen the bridge is to be smash
ed, and show us what you are going to do it with
Perhaps the bridge folks will all break out n
first sight OF your weapon