Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-01-30

lFfom the ror,lani Press, january ishl
a meeting Of merch1nts aud capitalists OF this
ets was held yesterday afternoon. at the Mer-
chant, Exchange for the purpose of considering
the matter Of increased accomodlfions and better
facilities for communication with the Lakes aud
the Great West Notwithstanding the brief notice
given, the meeting was largely attended. 10 was
called 20 order 10y Jonas H. Perley Esq on whose
motion Ex-Goyernor Washburn was called to pre-
side.
Gov. Washburn stated the object of the meeting
which to consider the project of some more
feasible route and shorter transit TO the greatWest,
and which would also open to Portland increased
bunina-s. A railroad liao is in operation from
p,densburg to Montpelier Vermont and a char
ter has been secured for line from Montpelier to
Dalton, \. ii. BY the building Of about eighty
miles Of road 10 connect a. Dalton, Portland will
have direct route to the great West aud will
draw to this city vast amount Of trade, which is
now diverted TO Boston
Northern Vermont is extremely desrous Of be-
ing connected with the seahoarl, and Portland is
some sixty miles nearer than Boston; therefore
they were de,irous Of making this port their outlet
to the Atlantic
1: was a matter of great Importance, not only to
the merchants of this city, but also TO the CONNER
cial and agricultural interests of the whole State
L. G.. Herscy, Esq, made some inquiry as 10
the plan &c, Of the projected route.
Henry a. Jones, ESD, explained the contem-
on the Portland a. Rochester Railroad az Saco
River. running up through Fryeburg to connect
with the road at Dalton, n. II. The present oh
ject TO obtain "A charter from the Legislature.
Hon John b. Brown thought the project a feasi-
BILE one, but questioned whether arrangements
could not be made with the Grand Trunk road to
branch of at Gorham and connect al Dalton thus
making direct and short route 10 Ogdensburg at
less expense and with much less road 70 build
lie would not say that such route was more fea-
siblc than one TO connect at Saco river with the
Portland d Rochester road II was certainly de.
sirable that an avenue should be opened to the
great West either by way of the Atlantic a. ST.
Lawrence or the Portland & Rochester road, and
il no arrangement could be made with them by an
Independent route.
Some remarks were made By Col c. .. Clapp
in relation 10 the Portland d Rochester road
He said il a connection should be made with the
Grand Trunk road it would require a change Of
gauge lie contended that the shortest route to
Montpelier would be via the Portland " ROches-
ter railroad, connecting at Rochester with another
road, making the distance $50 miles.
The following resolutions were offered by Mr.
Jones, and after some remarks in favor of them hy
MIR. llersey, Hon. j, B, Brown aud others, were
adopted:
Wiaeas, The material interests Of this city, in
common with those of the State at large, would be
greatly promoted by the construction of railroad
from Montpelier in the State of Vermont to Port
land, (iOr more than one-third Of which provision
has already been nade) securing as it would a
continuous line Of railway communication between
the latter city and Ogdcnsburg, n. Y, thereby
making the distance by railway between the nayi-
gable waters of the West and the ocean less by
more than fifty miles than by any other route
within the United States. therefore,
Res0ired, That the citizens Of Portland, espec-
ally its business aud holders of real estate will
give to the movement which is to be inaugurated
to accomplish this most important work, their
hearty sympathy and corporations
Noted-'rhat the President aud Secretary Of
the Board of Trade, together with the Senators
and Representatives from Portland, be commit
tee to procure, at the present session of the legis
ature, the passage OF act to Incorporate a
company to build a railroad from Portland to the
Western line OF the S'..e, TO be there connected
with railroad from the West
Voted-That q committee of ----- be raised
by this meeting to confer with the Directors Of the
several railroads in Maine, aud with the friends of
this enterprise in other States, with view to
secure their early and efficient cooperation in
organizing and carrying it forward
1t was voted that the matter of raising the com
mttee mentioned above be left with the Board OF
Trade, at their meeting to be held in the evening.
Il will be seen by the proceedings Of the Board
OF Trade at their annual meeting held last evening
that strong and efficient committee at the head
Of which is Ex-Gov Washburn, has been appoint
ed agreeably 10 the last vote passed. This COM
mittee will give the matter that immediate consid-
Grafton it deserves There is but one opinion
among our business men who were present al the
meeting; aud no project has ever been presented
since that OF the Atlantic q ST. Lawrence Railroad,
which met with such universal favor. In the
Board Of Trade last evening, the same feeling was
manifested that was displayed in the alternoon.-
Our merchants have only to show their accustomed
energy to secure this great business route.
Gov. Washburn introduced to the meeting Mr..
Hamilton and Mr.. Dustan, the former of whom
made statements relative to the Dexter a
Newport Railroad, and il was voted to refer the
matter to the Board OF Trade. The meeting then
adjourned