Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-08-12
The Canal Project.


Railroad Routes between Rutland and
Woodstock" accompanied with "Reasons
Why Rutland should not be Mortgaged r
This closely printed document OF some
twenty pages Of very heavy reading,much
of which was embraced in similar docu-
ment issued some months since, closes
very gravely, and with solemn language
asks the people of Rutland "to turn away
away from beholding vanities" like build
ing railroads, and give their earnest atten-
ton to the project of constructing canal
to Lake Champlain, to connect with the
Champlain canal at Whitehall, and when
this shall have been accomplished our
"eyes will rest upon bright and pleas
ing vision" and Rutland will be the
crowned and jeweled city of the Green
Mountains" Oh, what beatiic vision
of splendid realities does the canal project
present to us. What glorious prospect of
beinga jeweled city upon hill and run by
water. The eyes of the people must, after
perusing this pathetic appeal, see the
angel of Concord, Peace, and Prosperity"
already spreading her wings over this val
ley, browning it as the jeweled city of
the Green Mountains. Lo and behold, in
your visions of the future, the boats upon
the "raging canal" entering the beautiful
harbor of the jeweled city, and laden
with the traffic and productions of all ma
tions. Oh, what glorious prospect is
before US
How shall this be accomplished The
pamphlet says this canal can be construct
ed, and the walls of the jeweled city
built, "if our people shall be guided by
wise counsels and a prudent forecast"
which is supposed to mean build no more
railroads into Rutland, eschew all railway
projects now and forever, but build the
canal, with all the untold blessings and
countless wealth that will flow in upon
us as soon as the great project of a canal
shall have been inaugurated. No more
railroads than we now have are wanted.
w iat stagnating influence our railroads
now have upon our business, and more
railroads will prove quite our ruin but
oh, the glorious canal that will exceed
all other earthly means for promoting
our growth, and making a modern Elysi-
urn of Rutland. Now why will you lon
ger waste your substance on such frivol-
Gus affair as a railroad. We have one
running directly through, and two end
ing here they are all.sufcient for our
present purposes. But bear in mind that
a canal will make US a jeweled city, but
another railroad will make us a modern
Sodom. We should take warning ere the
golden opportunity is lost of making wa
ter run up hill.
n Now, seriously, why is all this gorgeous
picture presented before our eyes, and
painted so deliberately? 1t is not that a
canal is deemed feasible, but to divert
public attention from either of the pro-
jected lines of railway to Woodstock.
For more than year the Rutland and
Woodstock Railroad, via Chittenden, has
been under consideration Early last
fall, all at once the public are informed
that an easier, cheaper, and more feasible
route has been selected, by way of Head
vile. A charter is obtained The com
pany is organized, and Board of Direct
ors, composed of railway men, is elected.
Then information is given to the world
that all the leading lines of railroad have
entered into the project, and 1t is going
to be constructed by them, and no call is
to be made upon anybody for dollar.
The rich corporations that are represented
iu the Board OF Directors will furnish all
the money, and the Rutland and Wood
stock Railroad should be abandoned
Every few months this feasible and air
line project has been presented, especially
when there was any feeling manifested in
favor Of the Chittendcn route. In De-
cember last, "A party OF gentlemen, who
had ostensibly the interests Of Rutland
at heart, issued IL pamphlet descriptive Of
all the calamities that would befall the
town if it WAS bonded for "a railroad they
were self-sacrifciug they deprecated the
headlong loap that Rutland was about to
cd. No, they had no interests to serve
save the welfare Of their fellow-citizcns.
The bonding project failed by u small
amount-not because majority of the
people, or the active business men Of the
town, were opposed to it, but because the
money Of Rutland was against it.
Another town meeting is held, and by
large majority again voted to bond the
town. Again is II pamphlet issued de-
scriptive Of all the horrors of bonding,
but by AN adrot maps and elaborate argu-
ment, an effort Is made TO convince the
people, that it is 4 heir duty to abandon and
defeat if possible'the Chittenjen route, and
throw influence in favor of dealdyille, be-
cause every advantage could be gained. that
were apparent in the direct route to
Woodstock, and it would keep it out of
the hands of a great and powerful corpor-
alton, the Saratoga Railroad. Why are
they SO fearful of the Saratoga road
They tell US they have elected its eagle
eyed superintendent Director in the
will be monster if the Woodstock road
should be built direct to Rutland, but if
built to Healdville he is lamb The
Saratoga road is an excellent connection,
but il the road ends at Rutland, it all at
once becomes grasping monopoly. Verify
CONSISTENCY is jewel" But after all
these arguments in favor of the Healdville
route and in opposition to the Chittenden
road, the wonderful pamphlet closes by
asking our people to turn their atten-
ton "from beholding vanities" and direct
their thoughts to the canal. Do you not
see the Cat in this meal Is not the point
plain to all /? After having talked rail-
: road to us for year they land in canal.
The point is just here. Kill off the Rut-