Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-08-08
Speech OF Hon. John Gregory Smith
at Portland.

Walton's Journal contains the follow
ing in reference to the new railroad to
Portland, and also an abstract of the
speech of ex-Gov. Smith at Portland
during the recent excursion to that city
The speech of Gov Smith at Portland
abounded in valuable facts, which we
commend to our readers. We assume
that two new roads are now certain, to
wit: the Montpelier e. st. Johnsbury,
and the extension of the White Noun
tain road to Northumberland. In that
case, thirty-f1ve miles of rail to Wells
River will give three different lines from
Montpelier to Portland, to wit: ria st.
Johnsbury viG Wells River, Littleton
and the Portland and Ogdensburgh road;
and also ria the Atlantic & st. Lawrence
road. Eighteen miles more of road in
New Hampshire will give still another
Portland line via Plymouth N. H. At
the same time Montpelier will get new
line to Boston, 3 new one to Montreal,
and direct line to Quebec. lightweight
miles of rail, assuming that Portland
builds to Dalton, will do all this for
Montpelier. We believe the thing is to
be done. 1t is said the Boston, Concord
& Montreal road now appreciates the
Wells River route as it deserves, and
will enlist in it.
Elk Gov. Smith Of Vermont spoke at
length, illustrating by the example of
Minnesota, what the inevitable growth
of the West must be, if she can find
avenues to send away her surplus. 1t
seemed to him that God had made the
SacO valley to show to man the trne
measure Of the best and shortest route
| to bind the West to the Atlantic. In
| deed, from such advantages, he could not
see how Portland people could help
making this port the port of the North
Atlantic coast. He learned from the
press that "old fogyism" in Portland
was destroyed in the great fire, and as
he rode through the city to-day, he had
| come to the conclusion that it could not
help growing, there was no such enter
prise in her people. He did not know of
| a place where nature had spread around
such elements of growth. 1t was a place
! which extended facilities to commerce
| beyond all others on the eastern coast
! 1t seemed that ia this lavishness nature
had indicated the duty of Portland. AS
! to the proposed railroad route, where
| could you find one which offered such
elements of strength ? AS you pass
through New Hampshire, Vermont and
| New York, and every port Of commerce
on the lakes, each and all empty their
stores upon the proposed route. Already
were the products of the West far beyond
the facilities for transportation. But
the great question was one of cheapness.
| Ten years ago the first bushel of grain
was raised in Minnesota. Last year
wheat. The products of other western
states were increasing in like ratio, and
| the great question was, how should the
| products of the west be got to good
markets. They could not all be brought
! by rail alone, and hence the need of such
| a connection with the lakes as would
make them OF the utmost service as a
| part Of summer routes. With such a
route as the proposed one, by railroad,
! and by railroad and the lakes, Minneso-
ia would be as accessible to this coast
as Chicago. The route from Georgian
| Bay would also lessen the distance 500
miles. There were $50 milee of road to
! build between Portland and Montpelier,
If Portland would join the chain of
railroads reaching to Chicago. He be-
hev,d 1t Wound ~ 4 paying me from the
day the rails were iapd, for tue business
| for it was created n0V. 1t was not so
when the Vermont Central was ouI d.
1t had to call out and create a business.
1t had made such difference with the
people along its route, in affording
| quick and cheap communication with
markets, that nov the farmers of Frank
lin County hold over five millions of
$50 Government bonds to show as one
result of their labors. The passenger
business had increased in ST. Adams
from $500 the first month OF road to
! Sl2 900 during the last. Portland would
invest her money with no such risk as
the Vermont Central had run, for the