Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-11-14
RUTLAND HERALD.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1867.
rdi,orial correspondence
AIoSrrsLIYR, Nov, Z.


Dear Herald The only matter OF IN
terest before the Legislature exciting
much interest, Is the hearing before the
Railroad Committee on the application
for the Burden Railroad so called. The
opposition TO the charter headed by MI
PARK are presenting their9 testimony
Mr. Park was,the first witness and all
of Tuesday evening was occupied 10 MS
examination. He commenced by giving
4 history of the building OF the Western
Vermont Railroad, aud the method by
which he became It's owner ana the
organization of the Bennington x kut'
land Corporation. The relative posi-
tions OF the several roads leading from
Rutland to Troy and the West, was
fully explained. The controversy be-
tween himself and the Rutland and
Burlington Railroad and the reasons Tor
his application for relief, a year ago,
and the details OF the settlement and the
consolidation Of the Rutland & wash
ington and Rensselaer, g. Saratoga roads
were also presented in the course OF his
testimony. A brief history of the con-
troyersy with the Troy q Boston Rail-
road was given. The evidence of MIR.
Park evidently made It's impression upon
the committee and the members OF the
Legislature, large number Of whom
were attentive listeners. The impress
sion is endeavoring to be made that this
is the application OF the Troy & Boston
Railroad, under guise of aiding the
Messrs. Burdens. 1t is rumored that the
offer of q limited charter has been made
TO transport freight, but will not be
accepted on the part of the applicants
On Wednesday evening a Mr. Bailey, q
civil engineer, and Augustus Clark, Esq,
of Manchester, were on the stand, the
evidence of the former relating to the
survey OF the various routes as COM
pared with those made by Mr.. Johnson,
q witness who testified in behalf OF the
opponents. 1t Is uncertain when the
committee will be able to report upon
the case or what view they will take,
1t is very evident should 1t be submitted
to the House after long and elaborate
hearing, the contest will be severe, and
more exciting than any matter that has
come come before the Legislature for
years.
The question of bonding towns to aid
in the construction OF railroads, has &C.
cupied much of the time Of the House,
the first attack being made upon bill
to enable the towns along the line Of the
Lamoille Valley Railroad to issue bonds.
After several, spirited discussions, the bill,
after being shorn of many of its most
object ionable features, passed the House
by eight rnsSeriey- The prll was reported
in the Senate to-day, and it was antici'
pated that the vote would be close, but
after a spirited appeal from Senator
Hendee of Lamoille county, presenting
the needs of the Lamoille Valley fol
IdllEOhQ 1aClllOiSS ahSA hhO SSNANs5S
ment that would be given to the business
interests of that section OF the State
the bill was passed by an unexpectedly
large majority, There is much canvass
ing among members in reference to tn
soundness of the principle involved il
town being allowed to issue bonds TO
purposes Of this character, notwith
standing the precedents that have beef
established. The opponents Of tn
bonding system announce their deter
mination to sharply contest every one @
the enabling acts that are to follow, an
they assert, with much hope OF success
in finally rejecting them. We believ
there have been five or six others tina
have been presented to the House, al
though modified In form, and less OF
jectionable In their terms, yet the or
position maintain that they contain th
same general principle of bonding
What may be the result of these contest
time only can develop, but if they al
pursued by the opposition the sessio
must be greatly prolonged. He.