Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-04-03

This appearing to be the situation Of affairs in
that portion of the State and believing that every
considerable portion of the State, when suffering
or in danger, is entitled TO the sympathy and pro-
lection Of the residue and that the whole State,
and particularly the whole Western part Of it, is
deeply interested in having free and untrammel-
ed outlet for freight aud travel 10 the South aud
West from Rutland; aud feeling that any remedy
for the evil complained of. ~ order 70 be eectual,
must be prompt aad speedy, have felt it my duty
TO call you together ON this OCCASION that you may
take into consideration the whole matter, and
Adopt such measures in relation thereto as you
I shall deem right and proper.
Il is understood that the excuse for breaking the
railroad connection before mentioned, Is founded
on a complaint Of the Troy q Boston Company
against the proprietors (uot the lessees) of the
Bennington aud Rutland Railroad aud that the
officers Of the Company publicly declare that as
long as the road i owned by the present proprie-
tors no connections shall be made with it Wheth-
er this complaint is we'll or i'll founded does not
seem worth our while to enquire, for whatever may
be is character, It Is dahsult to conceive how 1t
can form any justification for inhict1ng indis-
eriminate and perhaps irrepearabe, injury on an
innocent public.
IL is understood that the Rensselaer, q Saratoga
Co, owning the two rival roads from Rutland, de-
sire to purchase the Bennington q Rutland Rail
road Such purchase would give them a monop-
oily Of all the business aud travel passing through
D
enable them 20 impose such terms upon II as they
might choose II is alleged that the present stop
page Of the road is prompted and sustained by a
desire 30 force a sale Of il to that company
Whether it would be for the interest Of the State
to have all the avenues OF business and travel in
the hands OF one corporation, aud that foreign
one. may well be questioned. Since the before
mentioned contract in February, 1866, by which
the Bennington and Rutland road ceased TO be a
rival road TO the Rensselaer, 81 Saratoga road,
it appears that the charges for freight on that road
between kutaud and Troy have been largely in
| creased-the increase on some portion OF 1t eN-
ceeding ninety per nt,--thus imposing an addi-
tional burden upon all the business of the state,
which passes over that road TO aud from the North
and East.
It is represented to me that the people on the
line of the Bennington a. Rutland road strongly
disrust the nclinati0ns OF these foreign corpora
tons to do them justice, aud protest earnestly
against any sale Of the road 90 them, and ce rtan-
y the facts hereinbeore stated Of their efforts to
make permanent diversion OF the business away
from said road, and their present hostile attack
upon it, do not seem calculated to inspire conf
dence ia any future management Of it by them.
To guard as far as practicable against a long
continuance of the embarrassmcnts under which
the people IN the southwestern quarter OF the
State are laboring it is proposed by them 10 open
another outlet for the Bennington q Rutland road
GO the South and West, by constructing a new rail-
road from the vicinity OF its present termination
to connect with the New York S Harlem railroad
at Chatham -Four Corners. This, il is alleged,
would supply the only link that is wanting TO form
the shortest and most desirable railroad route be-
tween the cities Of Montreal and New York, run
ming through the whole length of our State aud
furnishing people better railroad facilities than
they have ever before enjoyed.
II is represented that thorough and accurate
surveys have been made Of the route Of this road ;
-
win not exceed Sl,40O,O0O, and that for its con-
struction $500, 900 have already been subscribed
in the State Of New York. In order to make up
the deficiency, or a portion of it, it is understood
you will be asked TO confer authority on the Ben
nington q Rutland Railroad Co. to issue bonds
and mortgage its road, and on all the towns inter-
ested to lend their pecuniary aid towards its con-
struotion.
The action Of the Troy & Boston Co., in sud
denly refusing to ran their cars to connect with
road with which it had uninterruptedly connected
for fifteen years, thereby rejecting great and GER
tain injury on the public, is rare occurrence in
railroad history and ought not to be allowed to
be repeated if in the power of the Legislature to
prevent It, | suggest for your consideration wheth-
er a remedy might not be provided. by making
corporations responsible for injuries occasioned
by acts Of this description Both the Rensselaer,
aud Saratoga and the Troy q Boston Railroad
Companies operate roads OF some extent within
this State, and in doing have the benefit of our
laws for protection. II these corporations by
their control Of these Northern roads without the
state, combine and confederate together to inAict
irreparable injuries upon our citizens it would
seem that such acts might not be beyond the reach
Of Legislative remedy
am not informed OF any other considerable in
terest Of onr people that is likely to suffer for
want Of speedy legislation and therefore omit
calling your attention to other subjects.
PAUL DILLINGHAM;.
Erecutioe Chamber, Montpelier, March 27, 81,
oa motion n Senator Dor it was ordered that the
Mesag be ai upoa the table and that the Secretary
be ordered TO procure the priaug Of f'e hundred cop
les for the use Of the Senate.
The Governor communicated memorial Of II. Bur-
den Sous, otTtey, n praying for authority t. lay
railroad tack from the ion SJrks in Benning and
SALISBURY waiea vas read and refansd to the Com
mttee on Roads.
On notion Of Seaa.or Lane, the senste adjourned.
HOUSE,
The House Of presentadyes met At their all at 10
O'Clock NJ and we're called to order by Hon. j. W.
rner b R.y, n. p, Foster, Chaplain.
Clerk
The roll was then called BY the CLERK, when all but %
members responded to their names
Ths Speaker laid before tue House communication
fro the Governor, inor ning the II use that ChAs NJ
bag, ksl having resigaed the ohice Of Secretary Of
Civil And Military Affairs he had ADD liated William p
Dil ingham 70 hll the vacancy.
Res9iu'ionsBy Mr.. Lane Of Co ,nwau that the Clerk
1e directed 20 inform the Senate that quorum Of the
proceed 20 the business Of the session; adopted
By Mr Rounds n Caveniish, that the rules and
nding mmitees OF last session be adjp ed for the
pfessn session; adopted
By Mr. Biroh'rd Of shorehan that the Clerk be d.
rected 70 inform The Governor that quorum of the
House have assembled and ready 10 receive anY
communication he may be pleased 10 make.
BY MT Rounds Of Chester that the Legislature do
not entertain other bu mess than h referred 70 in
the Governors Message. Opposed by Mr. Hubbard Of
iocSbridge and Mr PeAse Of Charlotte adopted Ayes
81 nays ~
Res5istions.-By Mr.. Walker Of Ludlow, that the
Clerk be dreo ed 70 procure the printing Of 500 copies
Of the Governors Message; adopted.
me sage was received from the Governor aud read
by Ia. clerk see senate proceeding.
BtH Introduced and yeferrei-By Mr. Marsh Of Wood
stock ol rebuilding ' in windsor couityi sseeial
com Of three.
Joint resoiution-By Mr. BllghA OF II ydspart that
the joint ulss aud i5 nt staadng Of tue last ses
zion be adopted as the int rules and joint OF the
present sess on adopted.
PcftioRs-A large number, numerously signei bY
citizens Of nnington and Rutland counties We ,e pres
eni ed and lai upon the tabls A copy has alrea ~
been published ihe Journal setting forth the erovaa.
ofths people interested in the Rutland and Bennng
road
BiH fatrodaeed-By Mr.. Miner Of Manchester au
oiz ny certain towns therein named subscribe Tor
stock for building railroad 90 connect With the
Benning and katlald railroad, Mr. Miner Of NJ tn-
chester is 70 erene7 g. select consisting
of the membsfs ffom the towns named IN ths bill
pending whish notion
on motion of M. Park Of Bennington, adj burned.
AFTERNOON.