Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-01-28
Rutland & Woodstock Railroad.

a..
called to Il pamphlet which was distri-
buted through our village on Saturday
night not long since, and l have taken
the pains to read it carefully, and propose
to answer some of its specious and absurd
statements and arguments
Whether the policy, adopted by our
Legislature, of passing laws enabling
towns to aid in the building of railroads,
i wise one or not, | do not propose now
10 discuss but content myself with the
fact that such is the settled policy of the
State One thing is very evident, that
some Of these gentlemen who SO strenu-
ously oppose the bonding of towns to aid
III the construction of railroads, and prate
about its unconstitutionality, We're the
most elimorou- during the war to mort
cage towns to raise money 10 prevent
draft.
If it was wise and polite, and constitu-
tioutl, t. save orr country then, Is 1t not
our duty now, t1 do All We can to advance
her growth aud prosperity How can
this end be best accomplished The
people in th, State are w,ll aware that
they can meyer build railroads through
and across our State unlc-s foreign capt.
I'll is brought in 10 aid in the work Now.
will capitalists come here and invest their
money, unless our own people manifest a
'Ia,ire, at least. to all them in their great
pu,iie enterprises Why. ii seems 10 me
that This policy. adopted br the enemies
IT the Rutl nd 4 Woodstock railroad.
would drive every dollar If foreign capi-
tai away from us. a1l leave the vast
nines and qnarrit,, with which our State
bounds in the bowels Of the earth, and
forever uudevcloped
In accordance with an act passed ut the
last session OF the Legislature, authoriz-
ing the town of Rutland, and some others.
~ aid III the construction of the Rutland
IS Woodstock rti.roa1, town meeting
was held on the 29th Of Dea 1865, to de-
eide for what amount the town would BE-
bonded That meeting wa, held on the
wu-t side If tho town. where il had been
supposed the great bulk of the opposition
lay, aud tne friends If the road went to
The meeting expecting a general discus
ION Of the m rits Of III" question. fair
expression OF the minds of the people,
and then to eheerfully acquiesce in the re-
suit, whatever it might be.
The writer OF chat pamphlet commences
10y complaining that the voters in town
were not all out 70 the.meetinr. and from
that fact, seems to draw the Inference
that there was something unfair in tile.
vote. Why were the voters not all out
Was il in consequence of any lack of eXer-
tion or diligence on the part of the friends
If the roud, or any fraud which was prac-
,icgd by them The meeting was duly
and legally warned. and every voter had
timely notice of the meeting, and the OBJ
iect Tor which 1t was called. Certainly
il tie opponents of this road had sup
posed that those who stayed away from
meeting, would have voted with them.
they would have had them there. 1t
comes then with an i'll grace from them
to complain OF the small number Of voters
out, when the fault. If there was any,
lays at their own door. 1t Is also charged
that discussion was interrupted and pre-
vented IN that meeting by the friends of
the soad. As a general rule, ! am decid-
cIly III favor OF open, free and full dis
cuS>lon upon any subject which may come
before the people, and should be- opposed
10 interruptlnE or preventing it, but cir
cumstauces alter and control cases. Let
II, lool.at the matter its rational beings,
and III the light of the circumstances
which then surrounded us. The town
meeting was called mt , o'clock. p. m, and
Of course what was done, must bc done
quickly, To enable the people TO return to
their homes before dark. Again, it was
confidently anticipated and expected by
the friends OF the road. that It's opponents
would consume considerable time in the
discussion. and OF course they desired a
little time to reply. Consequently. after
Mr.. Cam had opened the case in favor OF
the road, and Mr.. Randall had made some
few statements III regard To the survey,
GOV. Page aNplicltly stated that he desired
the opponents to the road To then lead Oft.
and lac would say whath he had to by way
1T reply. When this programme was an
uouuccd, 1Ir. Merrill. who has always.
rs | am adorned, been determined
opponent OF the road, was upon the
platform IN the rear OF Governor
Page ready as We all supposed to take the
rostrum III opposition to the road; while
Mr.. Chaliye. who was an active and ardent
supporters Of Mr.. Merrill seemed to be
aching Tor an opportunity to ventilate
himself and the friends of the road vet.
instead .of coming forward and publicly
giving the reasons fer the hope within
ihcm, they couteuted themselves with
pushing forward an old gentleman. who.
J ana frank to confess. did not meet with
,t very cordial option after his thjrd or
fourth speech No person who was pres
emit at The nesting can have the least
doubt ii. 10 shy the voters did not desire
So listen t. DR. Hoadhausn ON that occa-
SION The persons Who first interrupted
him said they wanted to hear from some
one who Was interested in the matter.
some man vino owned Tropgrte, and who
hal some interest ia oar town, and not "A
man who lad -sour by. and who prcfleel
8, remarks bv saving that it would make
uo difference with linn whether the road
was built or not. Vow, does anybody
suppose uatit Mr.. Morrill, or Mr.. Chalfep.
urauy other live man 81 this age, had come =
forward and made q speech IN opposition
80 the rntd. that the meeting would not
have listened {" them NJ one doubts it,
They would have heen listened TO him