Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-06-11
VERMONT AND CANADA RAILROAD
MEETING.

There is kind of plaything called a
&c Chinese puzzle" consisting of few blocks,
no two of the same fashion, and each one by |
itself showing nothing remarkable in its APP
rearance. The puzzle" consists in showing |
how the pieces can be placed together SO as to
form successfully a great number OF odd
figures, no two of them shaped alike, most
of them quite unlike anything else in the
world, and not one of them, generally speak
ing, fany possible utility.
The reports which the public get from
time to time of the condition and relations OF
some of the Vermont Railroads remind us of
these Chinese Puzzles. There are intricacies
enough about all these concerns, but the
Vermont Central, (or rather the Vermont &
Canada with the Vermont Central in its belly,)
over reaches all the rest, "a long ways,-thc rea-
son for which is to be found, we presume, in
the greater number of pieces the puzzle con-
sists Of What with separate charters leases,
and contracts different boards of directors, and
boards of trustees, all these oftentimes made
up 10 II COnSlucTuDlc cAlcllb VI lllc eiulc ihbi-
viduals at the same me,-changes Of position
among the individuals being also about as
often as the changes of the moon, and all
agreeing, seemingly, to keep up perpetual
entanglementoflitigat among these soulless
corporations or the conglomerations which
represent them, we do not suppose that any
clear understanding of the condition of their
affairs is possessed by any mortal whatever,
or ever will be.
We see that an adjourned meeting of the
Vermont & Canada Railroad stockholders
was held at Mortified, June 3rd., a long re-
port of which appears in the Boston Journal
But few stockholders were present The
power of the meeting, that is the number OF
votes according to shares, was as weare told
lievo it always is at any meeting of any Of
the large Railroad companies of this State.
We cannot gather from the report wha
the meeting was held for, except to reat
various statements of figures, and to have G
talk over them generally by persons apparent
ly representing opposing interests in som'
way. Some asked questions and did no
get answers, and we judge that all came. st
the conclusion that stockholders and bond
holders are as far off from getting any money
as they ever were.
Some small progress has been made how
ever in paying the rent due to the Vernon
and Canada. as the following paragraph
shows
"prior to December, 1857. the trustees, il
accordance wiCh the vote of the late Boar
of Directors. have paid on account of tn
Vermont and Canada road the sum of S35,
600 for a car factory at St. Adams, the It'll
of which is vested in the Vermont ant
Canada Railroad, and further sum G
$4,000 upon the same request for the purpos
of influencing legislation in the State of Yer
mont, amounting in all to $40 600, whicl
reduces the balance of rent due by tina
amount.
The following paragraphs also may int
rest the curious in such matters
The suit in chancery long since com
menced to determine the right of this corpc
ration under the contract with the Contra
Road which we found in a state of suspens
and which we deemed advisable to hav
pressed forward to a speedy determination,
nearly ready for the hearing before Chan
cellor, and will be presented for his consider
alton and decision as soon us his other er
gagements will permit.
\ final decision is hoped for at the mex
{ term of the Supreme Court in Frankli
County.
II,