Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-10-30

Mr.. Ross of st. Johnsbury said he thought
it too late in the history of this State to say
that it will not charter railroads. and he
hoped it never would. The railroads have
been a great public benefit, and the grand
list of the State had been greatly increased.
and would be still more largely increased, if
we foster the building of railroads. But
who is to build the roads unless the towns
themselves aid in the enterprises. Those
towns that have no railroad facilities see
that they are at a stand still ,.or retrograding,
while other towns in the State outstrip-
ping them in prosperity and wealth; and
they have asked the Legislature to allow
them to aid the construction of roads in
their midst. This had been granted in GER
tain cases, and we ought to give the people
of this valley the same facilities. The bill
was suitably guarded in regard to the objec-
tions raised by the gentleman from Brattle-
boro, and required a ma jority not only of the
voters but of the grand list, and those who
did not give their assent to the bill would be
counted against it.
Mr.. Hubbard of Stockbridge was aware
that the objection to this bill arose from Il
feeling of opposition to the principle of
bonding the towns. The Constitutional Con-
vention Of New York have Just adopted
proposed provision in their constitution pro-
hibiting towns from bonding themselves for
building railroads, and the principle not
settled in his own mind every town, how
ever, should be permitted to control its own
affairs. He thought the argument that had
been put forth in certain quarters, that the
railroad corporations of this State had in
creased the wealth of the State not ex-
actly correct. He sympathized with the peo-
pie of the Lamoillc Valley, but we must not
create corporations and so intermingle them
IN he dav fla of he, Stata hal
Legislation will come to be controlled bv
these corporations. He thought that there
were Constitutional objections to the bill,
such as that it provided for taxing the poor
tho widows and orphans-tO increase the
value of the landed interests Of the towns,
but he would waive these objections, and
taking the matter in all its bearings, he
could not 60 against the car of progress, but
should oppose the dismissal of the bill and
favor its passage.
Mr.. Ross replied to Mr. Hubbard's consti-
tutional objections, by citing the hearing re-
Gently made before one of the Supreme
Court Judges, and that the principles had
there been sustained.
Mr.. Proctor of Rutland was willing to
concede to the towns all the rights and privi-
leges they could legally ask. but there were
provisions in this bill which were opposed
To the distinguishing democratic features of
New England towns. lie objected to the
manner in which the votes of the towns were
to be obtained, in opposition to the estab-
lished usage of New England society, where
it was customary to call public meetings, and
discuss matters freely and fully, and allow
the voice Of the majority to rule, and not let
a mans vote on any matter weigh in pro-
portion to the length of his purse, as the
provisions of this bill provided.
Mr.. Herrick withdrew his motion to dis
MISS and the bill was laid on the table and
made the special order for Monday afternoon
next at ID O'Clock
Bill introduoed-By Mr.. Kellogg of Ben
son to incorporate the Champlain Valley Rail
road Company; also various petitions, ask
ing for the charter of the road all referred
To the committee on railroads.
Mr.. Hall of Orwell, and Mr.. Holmes Of
Sudbury, presented similar petitions, which
were referred to the committee on railroads.
Adjourned.