St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1869-07-02
The RaHrOUd consolidation
Scheme.

The scheme Of consolidating all the
railroads between Boston and Ogdens-
burg, (Which was finally limited in its
northern terminus to White River juno
ton, we bclieve), and which slipped thro'
the Massachusetts legislature quite readi-
ly, is likely to find more opposition in
New Hampshire and Vermont. The
Concord Statesman says
The plan of consolidation will not
readily find favor with the people of
New Hampshire, who Were Thoroughly
educated in the balmy days OF democracy
to fear the power OF LARGE corporations {;
and no consolidation bill will receive the
assent OF the Legislature OF this state for
many years to come, if ever. Before the
projectors Of the plan can hope to make
any progress, they must take steps under
the present organizations OF the railroads
to give the people cheaper transportation
and much lower rates OF fares and treiuhts.
With the present eNOrbiiant rates cnarg-
ed through the state OF New Hampshire,
with the Concord railroad stock at 30,
Northern railroad stock at l. 10, the Bos-
ton and lowell and Nashua and Lowell
at Is /, and all paying and 10 per cent
dividends, free OF the government tax, il
will be difficult TO convince the travelling
public that consolidation is u measure in
the interest OF the people. They will
rather believe il 10 he designed to swell
still further the profits of railroad manan-
ers and stockholders, and to create an
enormous corporation with ''watereC
stock" and Il capital far beyond the real
value of the roads, which, once created,
vii! be entirely beyond legislative con.
troll, and viii able TO tax the people
without HINT. Perhaps Judge Mhnot
Col Georse. Col Iappan, and Other
representatives Cd tlie Concord railroad
can alduce such torcible and wci.hty ar
guncnt, rs to convince The people and
TIE Legislature Bat we are Incredu-
/ ious.
The Burlington &c Press saws on til,
same subject II Is i;,ir to inter from til,
shape in which the bill finally passed tina
it did no, have the approval Of the rail
road Interests tins side %! the CONNECTICUT
river. The substitute bill simply pro
vide, for the union oil the roads between
Boston and White River Junction, ON
third ot tie way to OGdensburg, Limits
the fares and reights 10 the local rate
now established, and provides that TN
facilities now afforded to councctin. road
shalt not be diminished. We are Yla,
on the whole that the measure stop
there. We do not believe that the origi
nal bill could have passed our Vernon
/ Legislature, even if 1t were favored b
the ' crmont Central managers, ~ it i
nov clear that 1t WIS not. Oar peopl
are naturally and rightly Jealous OF tia
Influence OF ANY such imiucrsc corpora
ton As the i.rc,.t Northern on Its uri-I
nal plan would h.. runu!n- through tn,
state. Oar Legislature wruli - latui
ally disposed also To- 10 justice. between
the rival Vermont interest invoiv u, an,
not 70 foster one at the expense OF tn
other. Unsuccessful a., for these reason
the attempt would probably br, we ar
glad tina: the time and money OF TIA
state will not ht taken up over the lis
cu-,IDn ui any such project IN The Len.
/ llturc.