Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-07-15
Rutland q Woodstock Railroad.

CdnVaSSlDS ZOE the names OF the taA-P0y
ers who were in favor of bonding the
town to aid in the construction OF the
Woodstock Railroad The strongest OBJ
lection urged by many, was that the pro-
posed action was unjust towards the op-
ponents, because it taxed them for pub
lie improvement that was forced upon
them. This objection is strange one,
when the same principle has been opera
ton in our town since its organization.
venture to say there have been but few
roads laid out in the town of Rutland
that have not been opposed by many, and
generally by majority of the taxpayers
of the town, but have been forced upon
the town by Courts Commission, COM
posed of non-residents After the i'm
provement is made, in almost every in
stance, it was acknowledged by all as a
public benefit. This. has been my ex-
perience in West Rutland Every road
laid out to the quarries has been opposed
by the town, and in every instance
forced upon it by Courts Commission.
Take the road leading from the quarries
south, and pass the railroad depot for in
instance, this road was opposed by nearly
every resident at its southerly terminus.
1t is now universally ackno wledged that
the improvement more than doubled the
value of the property of the original OPP
c In u-hn lived in that
vicinity. Now they are without COM
plant their part enjoying the larger
part of the beni6ts growing out of the
Improvement, the expense of which was
borne, principally by residents of other
parts of the town.
Again, it is urged by many that while
the proposed railroad would largely bene-
fit the main village of Rutland, also the
marble interests, other parts of the town
would have to pay their proportion Of the
cost without corresponding advantage.
They forget that increased population
and wealth in any part of town would in
crease the Grand List Of that part of the
town, consequently those most benefited
would have to pay the larger part of the
cost. The increased population would in
crease the demand for everything a far
mer produces, thus all parts of the town
would derive its full share of the advan-
tages. SO with every department of Ia
Dor. As it is proposed to bond the town
for given sum of money for twenty
years, it is urged that it would be unjust
to those who come after us, to saddle
them with debt which they had no hand
In contracting. Our successors will in
herit from this generation, churches,
school-houses, colleges, farms and roads
provided and paid for by us, and where
would be the injustice in their paying in
part for an improvement which they
themselves would enjoy but it is idle to
put forth such a plea against bonding the
town. large part of the present popu-
lation of the town are comparatively
young, and most of those now living Will
be in the full vigor of life twenty years
hence, but many of them are not too
young to remember the sleeping Rut-
land of their childhood. When new
dwelling house or; barn in any
part of the town was almost matter of
wonderment, now, new buildings by the
dozen excite no comment. This great
change has been forced in spite Of the
opposition of very many who were of
mature manhood at the beginning of this
great change. As they were in the begin
ming SO they remain. Many OF those who
have been made rich by the improving
spirit of the new age, have always been in
opposition, and now make their opposition
the more effectual by wi.hioidfnS tIelr
immensely increased Grand Lists, thus
blocking the wheels of further improve
ment. Is this right Are not they, and
they only, the ones who are fairly charge
able with injustice 1t Is universally
acknowledged that a Railroad to Wood
stock, via Menllon, Chittenden, Sher-
burne and Bridgewatcr would Immensely
benefit every part of the Town, some
parts more than others it is true, but it is
also true, the part of the Gown most bene-
ii'teu "ouiu nave u. greater par - 'ie
burden, il that can be called burden,
which increases the wealth Of tie town
many times its proportion OF the cost Of
the improvement. | have treated the
matter thus far rs il Rutland was to he
'"A'a ioi i'i 20 "''.o'lit ~ MONEY "i'i'
was " oo ''e'i - 'i'o nan 90 e'''' i""y'
'ne Town "nly 10 ueilFo an li'eI'oi'''i "U-
be worth il, cost to the ekhnlders
This road is but a link in tn, great chain
Of roads cxtending from tho he-r h.rhor
ON oor eastern saa board H. san Frursi-co
On the p,n,f. Tn rur,.is lines ,r rtil-
roads rnif,,i,,., gr.p H.. ,.s- - west. pay.
If thor. are exemptions t. TIL, rub. those
exceptions grew out of nli,Iu.,u4teineut