The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-12-04
From Walton Daily Journal.
Essex County Railroad.

Mr.. EDITOR Mr.. Wilson. the member
from Bakersfield. having reported his speecf
against the Essex railroad bill in sour D.i!,
Journal OF the 23d instant, it is presume d
that /, Contains all the grounds III opposite.
TO the BIZ! or the part ot the minority o. the
House. As The citizens OF Essex county can
not see tAe force OF his objections. propose
briefly to review them. HIS first OBJECTION Is
that the inhabitants of Essex county cannot
build the road II another part OF his
speech lie admits that more than three
f,ugths of the railroad stock in Vermont j.
ovnfd by capi ai,S residing out of the
state Wonderful consistency. he nexr
objection IS that the business OF the c)unr>
never can support the road This is a maj.
ter OF opinion merely. The citizens of Is
sex county think differently: why lot let the IL
prove Il by experiment
Mr.. Wilson states. that "the average dis
lance from The center OF ;he i'habited town,
IN Essex county to existing railroads in les.
than fifteen miles" ergo the Essex railroad.
charter should not be granted. The facts are
that majority of the towns in this coun ,
have no access BY railroads to the other bari,
Of the state. It's capital, or tner moSt desir
able market. the Connecticut river valley. 4
majority Of the members of tie legislature
from this county cannot reach Ne tpelier u,
railway except by way of Montreal.
Mr.. Wilson attempts to show that it is Nc,
the inhabitants Of Essex county who are in
terested in obtaining the charter, but non-resi-
dent land owners. He says "it is obvious
that the inhabitants of Essex county do rot
expect to build the road or do mucn toward.
It's support. Their interests neither REQUIRE
the road. nor will they justify the taking OF
any considerable stock in it," Now. We OF
Essex county, who claim to be capable OF
Judging what is for our interests, regard Mr..
Wilson's assertion as simply piece Of are
gance, when ne says that our interests d.,
not require the road. Our Senator and cur
representatives in the legislature, who are
the legitimate opponents Of our wants ana
wishes IN this regard, were unanimous in
snpport of the hi |, and it is safe 10 SAY ,ha,
every " iuhabitant Of the county is DESTROYS
tor us passage.
MIR. Wilson enquiries - do they understand
that the proposed road cannot be built and
supported without serious damage to the
Connecticut and Passumpsic railroad com
p'ny - We answer No, -emphaticaL,g No.
The Essex Railroad II built viii obvious,
be an important feeder to the Passumpsic
railroad. The President Of that corporation
mas other reasons Tor opposing the Essex
road than the consideration named. The
friends of the Essex railroad are not unfriend-
Iy to the Passumpsic railroad but believe
that their proposed road will greatly increase
lis business and profit.
MIR. Wilson adds The Passumpsic rail-
road with It's present connections will afford
all necessary facilities for passengers anG
freight through the Northeastern part o:
Vermont" That 1t is entitled to ali of the
railroad business through that section of the
State. Is MIR. Wilson ignorant of the geo.
graphical situation of Northeastern Vermont.
Essex county-or does he intentionally mis-
represent it? The Passumpsic railroad af-
lords nc" facilities " to any part of Essex
county, except Concord and Victory. All the
other towns in the Co. are Obliged to find their
railroad hcliities either upon the Grand
lfunk railway. or the White Mountain FALL
road at Llttleton, \. H. The Passumpsc
railroad can never receive the business OF
Essex county, except by means Of the propos-
"a railroad up the valley of Moose River.
The people of Essex county feel aggrieyed