The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-04-07

tnat the cost OF the line, by the way OF East
Burke and Charleston, would be less than
by the Barton route, and that the gradients
may be made comparatively easy, and proba-
bly, not exceed sixty feet to the mile.
If the Passumpsc Railroad Company,
therefore, should follow the natural route
for Railway to Derby Line alone, regard
less Of connections with other Roads, they
would follow up the principal branch of the
Passumpsic to its source. and then follow down
the waters Of the Clyde till the line shalt in
tersect that of their previous surveys by :he
Barton route. This line would probably
bring their track within about four miles of
Island Pond junction, which link, We are au-
thorized to say. will be readily supplied by
other parties.
If the Passumpsic Railroad Company
should see fit to adopt this line, they without
doubt can readily command the means to
carry it through to the Canada frontier; they
would also hold the key to the trade of Nor
thern Vermont, Nv being in possession of le
route from Island Pond to Derby Centre
They would at once make the Missisquoi line
tributary to their r'own or be able to command
their own terms in case of its use bv that
Company. The occupancy Of the ground by
the Passumpsic Company would be likely to
lead the Mi>s>quoi Company to the adoption
of the same gauge. and enable the PaS>ump-
sic line to compete for. if not to control the
trade of the whole valley of the Mcmphrc.
magog.
On the other hand should the thcPass,Imp-
sic Il. X. Co.. f0rcco the advantages of lis
position. and by Keeping As far west of Island
Pond As Barton. surrender the country to the
east, they can never successfully compete for
the trade of Orleans County Their line.i if
EXTENDED to Island Pond, viii! necessarily
drain the entire region between the east
branch OF the Pa>>ump>ic River and Lake
Champan. not dependent on the Vermont
Central and IFS connecting lines, while its cx-
tension towards the west leaves the business
OF the entire region of Lake Mrmphrcmaco.
to the Atlantic & st. Lawrence H. r.. with
+ out any compensatinS advantages The true
policy Of the Pa~>nmp~ic Company is to con-
meet their line with the Atlantic a s.. Law
rrttcc II. t.. at tn" nearest aprroarhat!c
ro'nt. and compete for the through travel
from Boston and New York TO Quebec. 1t
would open up to .hc lower Connecticut Val
lev, the immense Lumber tralc of Essex
County and all the eastern townships of Ca
nadia. and ailor! an easy method of communi-
cation for all that portion Of Vermont with
the capital of the State and all its principal
towns.
The plan of throwing the Pa>>umnsc cx-
tension to the west of Island Pond DESTROYS
its chance of retaining the principal business
of Orleans County or of reaching that Of the
County of Essex The extension OF the Mis-
si>quoi X. X. from Island Pond, west. cross
inS the line of the Pas>nnpSic at some point
east of Lake Mcmrhrrmacoc. in connection
with the Line of the Atlantic x st. Lawrence
t. r., would enable The Companies thus uni
ted. TO TAX" oil from the i'a>>ump>ic Line. all
freight bound to Boston Goods conld be Ia
ken up at Derby Centre hv the Missi<uuoi
line, laid down in Portland. placed on board
of Steamers in Portland ior Boston. and de-
lIvercd in the latter city. at rates below the
cost of moving them over the Passumpsic and
its connecting lines to Boston.
There would in that case bc no power to
regulate the connection between the two COM
panles. and the right of the strongest would
prevail. 1t was clearly against such posi-
Bile state of things. that the Legislature by
the act of 1881 attempted to guard. and wv a.
vailns themselves of the provision. of that
act, and in that way alone, can the Passun p>ic
K. r., hope to guard itself against the possi-
biitv of superior competitor.
There are many other considerations, that
could be named, why the Passumpsic Il. r.,
should adopt the route proposed. 1t can
not escape or avoid the influence of the At
lantic St. Lawrance Il. H., more especially
now that its ability is SO much increased by
lis absorption into the line of of,heGrandTrunk
; Railway. The ample means of that company
naturally attracts more and more, every day
the bu:laess of the country along its route
and it will, sooner or lstcr have a connection
and that too on some favorable route with the
lines Of Railway in the lower Connecticu,
Valley.
In case this connection with the Passump-
sic H. L., company is refused by that company
the same interests would secure an outlet by
way of Lancaster and Littleton, taking from
the Pas>umpsic line all chance of any share
; of the through travel, between Quebec, and
New York and Boston, and the pleasure trav
!. ei in summer to the White Mountains. 1t IS
easy to perceive that if this connection at Is
: land Pond, is declined by the Passumpsic Il.
K. Co., the entire expenditure by them, for
the extension north of St. Johnsburv, will be
of no avail in reaching new business, till the
line is completed through to Montreal by the
Sheflord and ChambIy Route, or the Missis-
quoi Line is built. neither of which can be
, accomplished for some years to come But
, the Stanstead. .Shetford & Chambiy line, when
/, completed, will favor, and in fact will require
) a connection with the Atlantic & St. Law