Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-04-11

Atfidavits from we'll known citizens OF
Bennington county were read by MIR.
Park, showing the effect OF the stoppage
on their business, and stating that when
respectful remonstrauce was made to
the managers of the Troy aud Boston
road, they were answered with the dec
laration that they ithe railroad manag.
ers) cared nothing about the people OF
Vermont; that they had got Park in q
tight place and meant to hold him there;
that they would never run any more
trains to Bennington, till Park released
their property from attachment and
that the people of Bennington County, II
they wished the trains to run again,
must get rid Of that id pirate,
Park"
Mr.. Park next took mp the matter of
extortions practised by the managers OF
the Troy and Boston Road. He stated
and showed by affidavits Of business
men, that the fare nom Bennington to
Troy, thirty miles, in the old days OF
stages, used to be one dollar, and the
rates OF freight, by wagons, about 80 80
8 ton whereas by railroad the fare was
one dollar and q half, and on freight the
rates were from four TO five dollars q
ton. Since they obtained sole control,
they had Increased their local passenger
rates nearly one hundred per cent. He
stated that the local rates now varied
from four cents mile to five, six, and
even eight cents,-and that no other
Vermont road charged within twenty
five per cent. as much as the Troy and
Boston Company. He showed by COM
parison OF figures from their own reports
required by the railroad law of New
York, that they had taken from passen-
gers in four years about $3.50 900 over
and above the legal charges, which are
limited by their charter to three cents a
mile. These eXtortions were but sam
pie OF what might be expected elsewhere
II the foreign corporations controlling
every avenue from Vermont south, by
rail or water, were permitted to carry
out the objects OF their confederation
unopposed.
i The construction Of the proposed con-
nection from Bennington to the Harlem
road at Chatham, NY, by giving new
outlet, would not only give an immedi
ate relief to the citizens OF Bennington
County, but would greatly benefit the
business and travel OF all Western Yer
mont. 1t would give the people of thai
side Of the State the shortest and bes
route to New York,-one that would b,
properly New York line, run with re
ference to the through travel, and fre'
. from the delays caused to the Hudson
River route by its western connections
In compelling the people Of Vermont tc
build that new link, the Troy and Bos
ton road would have done the only goot
act they ever did to the people Of Yer
mont. II the legislature should vote tn
whole amount necessary for its con
struction, from the State treasury, b.
believed it would be the best investmen
ever made by the State; but ne asked nj
such aid. The Lebanon Springs road
! to Chatham, was already chartered, ant
100000 subscribed in New York State
! towards it's construction. All that th
i Bennington and Rutland road and tn
citizens on its route, asked, was author
I ity to raise the 100000 or $500, 00
S needed to complete it, by an issue Q
e town bonds, and by mortgage of tn
r Bennington and Rutland road, now FIRE
0 from incumbrance. If the Legislator
q would give such authority the roa
would be built at once.