Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-03-15
RAIL ROAD MEETING AT
WASHINGTON.

vlously published large number OF the clVZens
of the counties of Washington, Caledonia and
O,onge, who are interested in the construction
of railroad from Montpelier 10 tie Valley of
the Connecticut River, met at the village OF
Washington, on Thursday the 9Th of March in
slant, for the purpose of making arrangements
for survey of the various routes in contempla-
ton.
A preliminary meeting was held in the hall oil
the Hotel for the purpose Of organization.
The assembly was called to order by b. w.
Bartholomew, Esq, of Washington, and upon
motion of A. M. Dickey, Esq, of Orange, the
Hon. J. w. ID. Parker of Bradford, was chosen
chairman pro tenn, and ]. b. Danforth, Jr., Secre-
tary pro tenn
Upon motion, the chairman appointed COM
miltee Of one from each town represented, to
report list Of officers for the permanent organ
ization Of the convention. The chair also by
direction of the convention, appointed the fol.
lowing gentlemen committee to report rcsou-
tons for the consideration of the convention,
viz:
Hon. Jacob Scott, Montpelier; A. M Dlckcy,
X. Ormsbee, Bradford B. w. Bartholomew and
II. A. White, Washington.
Mr.. Chamberlrn requested to be excused from
serving as one of the committee, and vote was
taken which resulted unanimously in favor of
his serving.
committee to report officers for the permanent
organization of the convention made the fol-
lowing report, viz:
For President,
Hon. J. w. d. PARKER, of Bradford.
For Pice Presidents,
John McDufiie, Bradford Joshua living, Ber-
re; Jacob Scott, Monpcler Orange Fifeld,
Orange; George Martin, Wlllamstown; b. F..
Dickinson, Chelsea; J. w. Butchelder, Tops
ham; John Merrill, Corinth J. A. Wing, Plain
field; John Lockhead, Newbury; George p.
Baldwin, Brudiord; l. E. Worhley, Washing
ton.
For Secretaries,
]. B. Danforth, Jr., Montpelier; D. b. James,
Corinth K. Nc X. Ormsbee, Bradford; II. ID.
Hopkins, Montpelier; A. NJ. Dickey, Orange.
The report was accepted and the several per.
sons therein named were appointed as officers OF
the convention.
The President, upon taking the chair, in We
ry handsome manner returned his thanks 10 the
convention for the honor conferred upon him. -
He then proceeded to state the general objects
of the meeting and the vast Importance to YER
mont, to New En- 4laRd aud TO the great W est oil
forming the shortest possible connected route
from the Atlantic Coast to the Great Lakes Of
the West and to Montreal lie was frequently
interrupted in his remarks by bursts of applause
from the convention.
Mr.. Collamer of Barre followed in n speech
| full Of interest and enthusiasm for The success
of the project. lie gave number OF statistical
facts Of much interest and Importance in con.
necton with The proposed route. His remark.
were listened TO with much attention
The hall being entirely insufficient to accom-.
modate The large number ofpersons present, Mr.
! Bartholomew moved that when this convention
adjourn, it shall adjourn 10 meet in the Univer.
salist Chapel. The motion was adopted and the
convention then adjourned to meet a; the place
indicated, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
O'clock, P. NJ.
The convention met Pursuant TO Adjournment
and was called to order by the President.
Mr.. McDufie, veteran surveyor of nlanl
years experience, was then loudly called for
He took The floor amidst the cheers OF the audi
ence. Mr.. McDuffee occupied over an hour ii
giving detailed account of the various improve
ments in the facilities for the transportation o
passengers and ffeighls and for developing tn,
neyhaustlble resources of this country from
1916 to the present time. lie related minutell
his lubors as a surveyor in company with Col
Albert, now chief of the Bureau Of Topographic
cal Engineers, and subsequently with Mr.. Nc
Coonb in the years 1896 ~ and '2S: both &C
ting under the authority Of the general govern
meni, as surveyors of this same route, for tn
purpose of forming grand connection of tn
great Lakes OF the West and the Atlantic Sc
Board of the East; also many remarks made b
Col. Albert, and among others, that the Valley G
the Winooski River would open the nearest an
most practicable communication from Boston
Portsmouth, Dover, Portland, Bangor, and all tn
Eastern Sea Board TO the Great Lakes of III
West and down the Mississippi River to Ne,
Orleans, and also from the same points to Mon
, treal. He was listened TO throughout with evi
dent interest and respect
Mr.. Scott, chairman of the committee on res
| olu,lons, reported series of resolutions, whic
report was accepted and the resolutions read an
acted upon separately, as ioows
LIST. Resolved, That in the construction q
Rail Roads, The interests of the whole connu
nifty should be regarded, as well as the interest
of private individuals; aud that the Rail RoaG
already lIcatod and in the progress Of compile
ton, have not met the wants and provided tor tn
interests of the people from Montpelier to tn
Valley Of the Connecticut river Adopted.
I'd. Resolved, That the construction of
Railway communication between the Atlanta
Sea Board and the waters Of the great West an
The st. Lawrence, passing through the State q
Il Vermont by the Vdllies OF Wells or Warts Riy
!, ers, will have wonder working influence upo
the destiny of our State-wlll bring into marke
" the productions Of our soil, and the fabrics 9
our mechanics develope the untold minera
= wealth Of our mountains speedily call into us
: and employ our valuable water power, and bay
powerful tendency 10 keep at home those men
tai and physical energies which are now pivin