Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-08-26

MontpeIier 4 Wells River Railroad.

Messrs. Editors Permit me to enquire
of the people of Montpelier what they are do
ing in relation to the Railroad from Mont
pelicr to Wells River2 Are they going to
wait and let the Railroad pass from White
River to Rutland on the SOUTH and from St
Johnsbury down the Lamoille Valley on the
north and thus divert the business from Mont
pelier? Can the business people Of Mont
peler afford it2 We understand that all that
is required of Montpelier to ensure its sue
cess is $4,000
Suppose that sum should be total loss
that is. as stock il would never pay back q
dollar as principal or dividend would it be
a loss to the subscribers, if subscribed by the
business men of the town.
If the Road is built it would require at
least 81 ,000.0 laid out between Montpelier
and Wells River. A large part Of that sum
would be paid to the workmen, and the most
|ef it would directly or indirectly, return to
the business men of Montpelier, in payment
for meat, -four, clothing and other ncccssa-
ries for the workmen and the profit. on the
same would help to repay those who have in
vested their money in the Road
Montpelier has invested in the State House,
at different times, sufficient to ensure the
Road That fund has never directly paid
dividends, and the stock cannot be sold in the
market
Montpelier has invested tcice what is re-
quired to ensure the Road, in the Vermont
Central, which, as stock, is worthless.
Montpelier has, within short time, put
about the amount required to ensure the Road
into churches and schools This sum is not
expected to pay cash dividends, or as stock
to be Of value in market
The citizens Of Montpelier have put nearly
Or quite the sum required to ensure the Road
into the cemetery at Montpelier, in beautify
ing the grounds, and in tombstones, monu
ments, &C. From these we expect no diyi
bends in cash.
Has the town been poorer by either Of thes,
investments p Would the town consent t.
give up any of them, if the money invested
could be refunded? The answer is emphat
Iically-No! Since the first new church wa
started in Montpelier, and there was pros
pect of building the others in town, the ris
on real estate has been rapid. New and ele
giant dwellings are rapidly being built, an,
the town was never as prosperous as now, an
never so able to raise money as they are to-day
If the Road is built to Wells River thu
making competing point at Montpelier ant
thus opening up new avenue of trade, i
would give new life and energy to Montpelier
and would add more than 100000 annual
to our taxable property for the next ten year:
and make Montpelier the real Capital of tn
State.
But the stock of the Road would not be
total loss. 1t would be good, paying stock
This being a single connecting link in a lon
line of Road, the Stock must be good
But if we suffer this opportunity to pass by
and while we are here totally inactive, sufferin
our more enterprising neighbors to the mort
and to the south to construct their Roads, an
divert our trade and business, where shall "
be2 A town can never remain stationary
We must 20 forward or backward You hav
! to choose between. the loss of business and tn
\ decay of your town on the one hand, or wealt
and prosperity on the other. 1t lays with tn
people Of Montpelier to decide. They mus
not pause or delay, but should decide at once
One OF THE CITIZENS.