Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-01-31

THE RAILROAD IMBRoGLIo.-We have
received the following circular from No.
Bennington, issued by t. W. Park,
President of the Bennington & Rutland
Railroad, which we publish for the in
formation of the public:
OFFICE OF THE \
BENNINGTON & RUTLAND RAILRoD Co., :
No. Bennington, VT, Jan. q, 1867. J
To the People Of Vermont tCho are interested
IN the Bennington & Rutland Railroad THE
proprtetors of the Bennington & Rutland
Railroad deem it proper to address you
q few words in relation to the present
facilities of the road. When this COM
pany was formed, it was their intention
to run the road on their own account.
but failing to make arrangements with
the Troy e. Boston Railroad Company
for connection by which our road
could be run and pay expenses, it was
leased to Gov. Smith, who has associ-
ated with the Hon. John B. Page of
Rutland. In making tie lease the com
pany provided for the running of trains
to accommodate the business on the
line, both freight and passenger and at
rates not exceeding those fixed by other
Vermont roads. The company in max
ing the lease, did the only thing they
could do, unless they chose to close the
road, or run it at q loss.
We believed that Gov. Smith, from his
interest in other railroads in the State,
would have facilities for running the
road to advantage, and since Mr.. Page,
having similar connections with still
other railroads, has been associated
with him, we entertain no doubt that
they will be able to run the road in such
manner as will give satisfaction to the
business and travelling public, and with
reasonable profits to themselves.
The day after the old lease of the road
to the Troy & Boston Railroad Company
had expired, the Trustees from whom
they took the lease Instituted a suit
against them, to recover damages for
breaches of covenant in the lease to keep
the road in repair, &C., upon which a
portion of the personal property of the
company was attached.
1t Is claimed by the plaintiffs that so
far from keeping their covenant, the de.
PENDANTS during the ten years of their
lease, wore out the iron rails and suf-
fered the road in other particulars, and
its buildings and fences, to run to decay,
so that at the end of the lease, the road
which was comparatively new at it's
commencement, was nearly worn out,
needing great repairs to make it fit or
safe for use. Whether the Troy g. Bos
ton Railroad Company are liable for the
heavy damages claimed against them
will be examined and tried by the courts,
and 1t is not proposed to discuss the
question here. 1t is, however, proper to
say that neither Mr.. Smith nor Mr.. Page
are in any way responsible for the bring
ing of the suit, that they had no knowl-
edge of it, have no interest In it, and no
control over it.
The day after the attachment, the Troy
& Boston Company gave notice that ia
future their road would not be run east
of Hoosic Junction, which is about five
miles west of the State line, where the
two roads connect. The action of that
Company closes the only railroad outlet
to the West aud South, and while it de-
prives the Troy g. Boston Company of
the receipts to be derived from the bust
ness Of this road, it is serious inconven-
fence, and damages the business on the
line of our road, and serious damage
to the lessees of our road. While our
Company have no interest in the ques-
ton of profits Of the road under the
present management, We have an In
terest In common with the rest of the
community in the prosperity Of business
on the road.
We all accept the situation that Ia