Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-09-22
From the Burlington Times.
Vermont Railroads,

The statements of the communication below
will be likely to receive the serious consideration
of the public and the Legislature-to the extent,
certainly, to which truthfulness may entitle
them. The communication comes to us from
responsible source, which is all we require for
giving it place in our columns. Its statements
are somewhat startling, and present the great
Railroad Interest of Vermont in an important
as well as interesting point of view. If our
correspondent is not mistaken in his facts and
estimates, it would seem that disaster worse
than bankruptcy impends over the extended
lines of Railway which have conferred 80 much
material prosperity upon the State,-a threat.
ened disaster that would be easiest averted BY
cool counsels, wise judgement, and prudent ac-
ton. We express no opinion in the premises
further than this:
Mr.. EDITOR From the Report of the Rail-
road ommissioner-whch is not wholly com.
plete in the matter of Railroad statistics-I
learn that we have invested in Railroads in this
State, near $25 ,OO0, 900, yielding an income,
the last year, of about one per cent.
The Report shows but comparatively slight
expenditures for extraordinary repairs for the
year There are over 500 miles Of track in tho
State, and between six and seven miles of rail-
road bridges.
1t is we'll known that the lite of rail ifabout
six or eight years of railroad bridge about
ten years and of station houses and shops,
about fifteen years.
The time is now close at hand when the rail
ROAD tracks In the State must be re laid, some
the second time, with new iron,-at cost of
not less than So 900 per mile when the bridges
must be rebuilt at cost of not less than SIS
per lineal foot, or $4,000 per mile Of bridg-
ing and when the station houses and shops
must be rebuilt, at cost of not less than Sl6O
per mile of track.
1t my positions are true, we have directly be-
fore us an extraordinary expenditure, required
within the next few years, by our railroads Of
more than $4,000 900, in addition to their Or
binary repairs and expenditures. 1t seems to
me that a serious question arises here,-a cues
ton which should arouse every citizen, feeling
an interest in the prosperity Of his State,-a
question which merits the special consideration
of these who legislate for US Can the Railroad
of the Stale be run for a much longer psriod?-
And if so, hoU?
There is another matter which deserves o
word. Of the $25, 200, 900 invested in railroads
in this State, probably more than $2O, 900 900
was raised out of the State. doubt if 81, OOO.-
900 have been invested by residents Of this State
in our Railroads. Certainly an investment to
so large an amount within our borders by parties
from abroad, paying SO slight an average in
come, ought not to be oppressively dealt with.
On some of our railroads the domestic SUBJ
scriptions have been much less than the actual
amount paid for land damages. And, taken as
whole, do not think the amounts of domestic
subscriptions in the State, to all the railroads,
equals the total amount paid for land damages
and right of way.
If am correct in my last position, it is far
from afording reason for abuse, or oppressive
legislation, that Vermont has been unwilling
even to afford the right OF way through her
limits to capitalists whose investments, If not
remunerative to themselves dave, within ten
years. Increased the appraised udhss Of the real
estate Of Vermont more than TWELVE MILLIONS
OF DOLLARS