The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-11-20
The Defeat of the Essex County
Rail Road Bill.
WEST CONCORD, Nov. ii.

WEST CONCORD, Nov. IL.
MEssRs EDITORS: Permit one of your
subscribers. through the columns of The
CALIFORNIAN, to make few comments upon
the defeat of the Essex County railroad bill,
by the Senate oil the State of Vermont, re-
Gently convened at the capital of the State,
being one body of the assembled wisdom Of
the State of Vermont, if it is not profana-
ton of the name.
1t is a notorious fact that bill has been
before the Legislature for three years in sue
cession, for the purpose of procuring a char
ter for railroad from St. Johnsbury through
the valley of Moose river to intersect with
the Grand Trunk railroad at some point on
said road between Connecticut river and Is
land Pond and it is also notorious that he
bill passed the House of Representatives
each year by an overwhelming majority; and
it is no less notorious that the same bill has
been defeated in the Senate in each of the
three successive years. 1t now seems to be
proper to inquire what can be the cause of
the action Of the Senate in the premises
Is it in consequence of hasty and improper
legislation on the part of the House? No.,
that cannot be, for there has been long and
laborious investigation of the matter on the
part of the House each of the three success
sive years, occupying the larger portion Of
the time of each session. Then what is the
cause? Is the Senate composed of such su-
perior wisdom that thay are justified in over
riding the decisions of the House for such a
length of time? That cannot be, for have
often heard it repeated by men of good judg-
ment that the Senate would hardly compare
with the House in point of talent. But to
follow up the inquiry: 1t would hardly ap-
pear probable that bribery could have any
thing to do with the higher branch of the
Legislature of the State, and that corporate
gold could be brought to bear upon major
ity of that honorable body in such manner
that it would defeat bill in which large
majority of the freem-n of Vermont have
a great interest. and are anxious that it
should become law. The proposed Essex
County railroad, were it built, would open to
the old towns in the State and the world At
large an almost inexhaustabe amount of lum-
Der which, without said road, is worthless
1t would increase the wealth and business of
the little county of Essex, and also of North
ern Vermont, without injurins any other in
terest whatever. And those railroad corpo-
rations that oppose the granting of this
charter, can see farther into milestone than
| can to ascertain, how they are 70 be damag
Ell in Case the Essex county railroad should
be put in running order.
The inquiry seems to be now, how long
shall We have to submit to this state of
things? for the friends Of the road have no
notion of "giving up the ship but intend
10 fOl!oW II up as long as trees grow and wa
ter runs.
Ereemen Of Vermont! the power is in YOU.
See TO !; Inat at the ballot box next wear YOU
elect men to the Senate that will not tram
pie upon your rights. Elect men that will
legislate for the good of their constituents
and not for the benefit of their own pockets.
This railroad bill has already cost the State
near or quite one hundred thousand dollars.
and why is that ? 1t is because few unprinci-
pied men from some unseen cause have seen
fit to disregard the wishes Of tho people.
Freemea Of I'ermom! assume your pow
er and elect 10 man to the Senate that will
not regard the wish of the people state
large. DO not elect men that will squander
the peoples money to the amount of thou
sands for the purpose Of defeating the peo-
pies will. JUSTICE.
From the Old Brigade.