Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1869-06-01
Boston ard 0gdensburg.

roads between Boston and OgdensDurS,
n. Y, would attract much more attention
! If there were any prospect Of an early
consuinmation of tho work. But the pro-
iect is yet in embryo. 1t has not yet
even been presented to a committee, ex-
cept incidentally, and there is understood
to be no probability that the Massachus-
etts Legislature now in session will give
it any attention whatever. a good
deal Of cxultation has been ex-
pressed by persons who see in the con-
solidation of the roads an opportunity for
Boston to regain her lost commercial en-
pire But already there are some dis
senting opinions expressed by persons
who have anticipated consequences which
at first view were not taken into account.
The aggregate length OF the roads to be
consolidated, including the Vermont Gen.
trail and the Northern, sometimes called
the Ogdensburg, Railroad, is 406 miles
And here arises a difference of opinion
among the friends of consolidation. The
distance from Portland to Oglensburg by
the projected road through the Notch of
the White Mountains is more than fifty
miles less than between the tcrmini OF
the Boston road. BY what is known as
the Portland and Rutland road this city
has also an advantage in the matter Of
distance. After the building Of the latter
road and the Montpelier and Wells Riv-
or road, Portland would have a thru
route to the Lake terminus shorter than
that which Boston desires to control.
How these considerations bear upon the
question Of consolidation may be inferred
from the following paragraph in The lead,
ing article of the Boston journal of yes
terday:
There is another view Of the question
which should not be overlooked. A line
of railroad has been projected to connect
the Vermont Central railroad with cur
ncighborng city Of Portland to this no
one in Boston certainly is disposed to OBJ
iect, for He are none Of US afraid of fair
and open competition. But when it is
sought 10 merge the Rouses Point and
Ogdensburg road in line which is ulti-
mate y to terminate in Portland as well
as in Boston, and the management of
which may prove to be in favor of the
former city, it may well be asked whether
good fellowship or a sound and healthful
generosity requires US TO surrender to our
commercial rivals in the East the adyau-
tages over them which we at present pos
sess. The only route which Boston con-
trolls between the seaboard and the West,
quite independently Of New York, is via
! Ogdensburg can we afford to run the
risk Of thiS Lie r-o ~...;aontly O Port
hand route, and thus of our being left
without route exclusively our own? As
these various roads stand at present, some
OF them have direct and positive inter-
est in making the Ogecnsburg road and
the connecting steamers to the lakes q
feeder for Boston; the Lowell and Con.
cord lines will help to hold the trade here.
Bat If these shall be consolidated with
the Vermont Central and OglensbuYa
roads, and ultimately with the road to
Portland, which undoubtedly is part Of
the plan, what influence will there be to
hinder the giving Of the preference alto.
gethcr TO Portland, whenever the Interests
Of the line or the wishes of its manager
may seem to require it? We think that
we speak the sentiments of Eastern Mas.
sachusetts when we say that TO carry out
the scheme Of consolidation which has
been submitted to the Legislative Commit.
tee on Railways would be nothing les,
than calamity; we trust, therefore, that
the subject will be allowed to lie over ill
the next session, and that in the meantime
some new plan may be matured les.
sweeping in lis provisions and which vii
give promise Of harmonizing and promot
ing the public and all corporate and pri
vate interests"
The fact which the Journal apprehcnd
as likely to make it for the interest Of tn,
new corporation to give the preference tC
Portland it does not mention--,hc natp
raj advantage which Portland possesses il
having shorter line and greater lacilitic
for the shipment of produce. Accordingl
there arc three parties among those VIII,
favor the consolidation scheme. on
party approves Of the project as present
cd to the Railway Committee By Colonc
George Of New Hampshire secon,
would stop at White River Junction, no
far from where the Rutland road, If built
would strike the Boston line, not emibrac
ing either the Vermont Central or tn,
Ogdensburg road, and a third would siol
at Rouse's Point near where the Portland
White Mountains and Ogdensburg roat