Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-11-06
For the Journal
MONTPELIER AND WELLS RIVER RAIL

ROAD
20. lice in the Legislative proceedings that bin
90 rutrier Of the above projected road has been
pas. d by both branches of the General Assembly
aud Is now the law of the land
This project if carried out cannot but be Of
innaense importance to Vermont, New Hampshire,
Maine and part Of Massachusetts, and the road
will doubtless be constructed at an carly day
The building of 80 miles, which is the length Of
the projected road, will give us another through
road from East TO West with much easier grades
than any OF the existing roads, and from Ogdens-
burgh the great depot Of the products OF the West
to Boston. nearer than any other route. But the
grain and other productions of the West sent for
expectation need not 90 to Boston, when as good
or better ports may be reached nearer. Ports
mouth will bee 81 miles and Portland 81 miles near
er Qgdensburgh by rail, via this route. than Bos-
tQ31a saving equal to a handsome profit on flour
AMI other heavy articles. But 10 Washington,
Caledonia and Lamoille counties the construction
of the Montpelier aud Wells l,lvcr Railroad would
be an ERA II will pei rf,sfe section of country
rich in timber. gra.t. a.I an agricultural pro
ductons, which is now SO remote from any rail
road that many OF il,a products will not bear the
expense Of earn u.4 ta market. And because Of
exhorLtant charge, OF the one existing road for
passengers and freight vast amounts Of lumber
potatoes &c. are nr.ily OF quite valueless.
Pretty accurate data proves that the county of
Washington alone PAYS fully one hundred thou
sand dollars per annum more than fair liriHg
price, and more than is charged for the same
freight and passage a greater distance And this
extortion this one county has groaned under for
near a score of wears, and edonia and Lamoille
counties, that bring their business to this road
are charged in the same ratio. Beside this, La
noble valley, when their projected road shall be
built, can have most feasible connection with
this road near the summit IN Marsh6eld where the
St Johnsbury road, when built, is to connect
thus giving to that valley the most direct access to
Boston as well as to Portland.
Would not the construction Of the Montpelier &
Wells River Railroad be an important era in
these three counties?
have said that New Hampshire and Maine
will be greatly benefited by this Road. Let us
look at its effect upon the people of those States
Every barrel Of flour and bushel of grain from the
great West can reach the entire State Of Maine,
all northern and central New Hampshire and the
northeastern part OF Vermont, with less miles Of
railroad conveyance than over any other route -
from Montpelier to Wells River is 30 miles, while
from here by the Central and Passumpsc it is 100
miles and for all the large section OF country
north and east, all the freight must be carried the
hundred miles instead OF the thirty-eight
know it may be said that by the northern and
other roads it might be carried to Grafton, Bel
KNAPP aud Stafford counties and save part of this
60 miles. But upon careful Investigation main
tain that freight can reach all these counties, and
Rockingham also, with very large saving in ac-
tual expense of transportation.
Thus road is to connect with the Boston, Con-