Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-03-28

road in the country, that snch charges for
passage have been higher than the laws Of
New York permit them to impose, and
that on some parts Of the line within this
State, the cost OF passage and transporta-
ton TO Troy on the sane has exceeded
that formerly paid for passage and trans
portation by teams, before said roads were
constructed, by at least 6ly per cent.
Your memorlalists further represent
that the Rensselaer, and Saratoga Rail-
road company own and operate line Of
Railroad from Rutland, In this State TO
Troy, which line Is longer than the line
through Western Vermont TO that city,
and has heavier grades and shorter
curves, and Is principally In the State Of
New York. And that before the break.
ing OF the connection Of the line through
Western Vermont, by q contract be-
tween the Troy and Boston Company
aud the Rensselaer, and Saratoga Com
pany, 1t was agreed that for the term Of
ten years no through business, either OF
passengers or freight, should go over
the Bennington and Rutland Railroad
as had been Its wont, but all such bust
ness should be forced to 90 over the
road Of the Rensselaer, and Saratoga
Company to Eagle Bridge, in the State
OF New York, and thence by the Troy
and Boston Railroad to Troy that II
such contract is carried ont, IS your
memoralists believe 1t will be, the Ben
nington and Rutland Railroad could
not be operated but at a loss, even II the
the connection, now broken, were re.
newed, and the value Of the same would
be wholly destroyed. And your memo.
rialists further represent, that by break
the connection at the State line, as be-
fore stated, the said Rensselaer, and
Saratoga Company are enabled to force
and do force, all the business from the
North TO the South and West over their
said road, and by preventing it from
going In It's best and accustomed chan
mel, css the Bennington and Rutland
Road, they create monopoly OF all
such business, and are enabled to in.
crease the rates Of charge for doing the
same at pleasure, TO the great detri-
ment OF the business interests of the
portions Of this State lying North and
east OF Rutland, as well as those of the
section on the line OF the Bennington
and Rutland road, and also to the dam
age of other Vermont Railroads and
said Rensselaer, and Saratoga Company
have, in fact, already, since the break
ing Of such connection, as before stated
and since they have obtained control OF
the Troy and Bennington road, advanc-
ed their rates OF charge on freight from
this State to New York and the West,
more than twenty. FIVE per cent, and
this your memorialists believe is but the
beginning OF injustice which the people
ofthis State may well spprehend il this
monopoly becomes permanent. For If
the connection Is not renewed or if the
Bennington and Rutland road passes
into the possession, or under the control
Of the same company (which it is bs.
lieved is the only condition upon which
1t will be renewed, } then said company
will have the absolute control of every
outlet by railroad from this State TO the
West, and from all Western Vermont to
the South.
Your memorialists further represent
that, while in consequence OF the acts OF
the Troy and Boston and the Rens-
selaer and Saratoga Companies, other
Vermont Railroads will be seriously in
jured, and the business interests of the
State North and East OF Rutland will,
by reason OF the exorbitant charges for
the transportation of Height and pas
sengers, greatly suffer, the effect of these
acts upon the line OF the Bennington and
Rutland Railroad will, unless relief can
be obtained, be ruinOus, and will be seen
in the diminutiou o. business, the dis
appearance OF valued business men, the
general decrease Of population, the de,
cay Of our villages and great reduction
In value Of taxable property.
Your memofialists bellows that the
only remedy for these great evils is the
construction OF another railroad, giving
the State another outlet to the South
and West that such rout can be opened,
and will make, when completed, the
shortest and best route from Montreal
to New York, passing through the
entire length OF the State, and secur.
ing the people In future against the
gross inpositions Of the Troy and Bos-
ton and Rensselaer, and Saratoga Com.
panies. Under this sudden and extreme
pressure, your memorialists, and those
they represent, require some legislative
action, such as was not necessary, and
the necessity OF which could not be fore
seen at your last session, to enab them
to carry out this proi.ct at an early day.
With s4ch action at the extra session
now called, it is expected that the new
road will be completed the ensuing sea-
son.
Your memorialists therefore pray
your honorable body to consider our pc.
cuiiar and most unfortunate condition,
and to enact such laws as shall afford
relief to this section of the State, while
they shall promote the general interests
of all parts thereof.
On motion of Hon. Harmon Garfield
Of Arlington, the report was accepted
and adopted.
The committee appointed at last meet
ing for the purposc of presenting the
best course, in their opinion, to be p1r-
sued with 8 view to obtaining connee-