Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-12-14
S717,sOO
Leaving a balance in favor

of the transaction of S1Ol5,010
Placing the shares inihe Worcester at S1G0,
and the Western at about par. Nor can the
million Of dollars be applied to the reduction
of prices of freight ,0nd fares. If these
could be reduced tlye-siXths by the sacrifice
4 of 100000, what could be done with mill
ion?
The plan | would propose for the consid-
Grafton of the Board of Trade, is the follow
ing:
THAT the State should purchase the Bos-
ton and Worcester railroad at SlGO share,
and the Western railroad for an equitable
price, payment therefor to be made by the
4 issue of bonds for 80 years for S20,000,000,
at ) per cent interest. The balance being
J devoted to provi1ing large depots at the va
( rous stations particularly near deep water
j in Boston, and to the increase Of the rolling
4 stock TO the full capacity Of the road.
Let the State, then, grant permanent
] lease to the city of Boston,-thc city agree
j ing to pay the interest on the loan, to keep
1 the road, bridges and running stock in good
4 repair and to spend any surplus income that
/ may remain in reducing of fares, and en-
| larging and improving the facilities for busi-
/ ncss-reducing the fare to ono dollar pas
se lger, and two dollars ton for freight
from Albany to Boston--as soon as cars,
engines and dcpots can be provided TO meet
the business requirements which must be
the result of the change.
To secure the non-ntcucrcG,c of political
influence in the management Of The road, let
the City Council choose the directors on the
nomination of the Board Of Trade, the mem
bers of which, as the active business men of
the community, have the greatest interest in
the proper conduct of this great avenue OF
communication with the West. BY this ar
rangemcnt the shareholders lose nothing, for
they will receive an equitable price for their
property. The State, runs no risk, for the
interest on its loan is guaranteed by the
city. The city runs no risk, for it holds Il
property that must eventually repay, with
interest whatever temporary sacrifice Gi
any may be made in advancing its pros
perity.
The prosperity Of the Capital, together
with that Of Worcester, Springfield, Pitts
field, and every town ON the road or con-
nectcd with it, will lead TO a great increase
Of taxable property, and the reduction OF
prices in the great staples of the West will
be among the solid benefits to the State.
Should this arrangement prove successful
: us | believe it will, the State will undoubt.
edly purchase the other great lines at prices
satisfactory to the shareholders, and make
access equally convenient and economical &c
all parts of its territory.
To the city of Boston the advantages are
incalculablc. 1t will insure the immediate
completion of the proposed improvements in
the harbor where ample space can be pro
vided for increased business, and grain anC
other freight can be taken from the cars anC
placed in the hold of vessels Of the larges
class. 1t will also insure the establishment
of Il weekly line of steamers between BostoI
and the Continent, and restore its ancien
position as n mercantile port.
/ confess n desire that the State of Massa
chusctts should have the honor of inaugu
rating Il movement that will confer untolC
blessings on the whole human family: tina
, will take the control of the public roads
t those arteries of the State from irresponsi
BILE hands, whose interests are adverse t,
the public, and place it in the custodyo of tn
State and city, to be managed as they SHOULD
! be by the people for the people"