Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-02-24

MIDDLEBURY-Our town has, for some
weeks past, been agitated by the question
of "bonding the town." for the purpose of
aiding in the construction of the Addison
Rail Road. None seemed to question the
vital importance to Middlebury of the
project, while all desired that the juno
ton of the Addison c.. Rail Road with
the Rutland 81 Burlington Rail Road
might be made in our village. But with
all this, there was prevailing a fear, that
we should be placed in very embarrass-
ing condition as a town, in financial
point of view, should we vote to bond the
same, Various reports of the nature of
the scheme were put afoat, by those who
were hostile to the measure, and every
expedient used to excite prejudice against
any proposition involving any responsible
ity on the part of the town. But the
friends of the measure were not asleep.
They piled the doubtful, hesitating ones
with arguments embracing facts and fig.
ures, to show that Middlebury needed the
road, and that its terminus should be
here. A general desire was expressed for
town meeting to be called by the select
men, for the purpose of general discus
sion, and bring to final and legal test the
petition at issue.
Accordingly, an application was made
to the selectmen by ten freeholders, to
call meeting of the town, and on the
18th inst. said meeting was held. The
day was very stormy, indeed it rained
very hard during most of the day. But
notwithstanding this hindrance to full
attendance Of the citizens, our town room
was literally packed with our people, while |
some from adjoining towns came also to |
hear the discussion. -..
The meeting was called to order |
promptly at 2 o'clock P. NJ, by JAS Nc
Donald, town clerk, and Ira w. Clark,
Esq, appointed moderator. James NJ.
Slade, Esq, proceeded to make some in
troductory remarks, commenting upon
the great Importance to Middlebury of the |
question in issue, and calling upon all to |
divest themselves of all prejudice, and /
with calmness and judgment, dictated by
reason, and a simple desire to do that for
the best interests of the town, weigh the
that will be presented, in favor
or against the measure, and decide the
question as intelligent men. Ite .s |
Hon. J. w. Stewart then present series
of resolutions embracing the question of |
bonding the town in the sum las subse-
quently voted) of $4,000, upon the con-
ditions therein set forth, and providing
for the appointment of three compassion
ers to carry the same into effect. These
he supported in very able,
logical, convincing and unanswerable
speech, that told with great power upon
the vast crowd there congregated. Hell
spoke of the fact that this was his native
town, and all his earthly interests were
identified with its prosperity and future
growth and greatness. He alluded to the
central position of the town in the county,
he presence of the public buildings of the
'ame, and the Importance of their con-
'inuance herefor the accommodation OF
Ill. He commented upon the wonderful
water power unimproved in our village,
md that every inducement should be held
'ut for capitalists to come and make in
in the erection of proper build
ngs, filing the same with machinery and
'fording employment to hundreds, where
low but comparatively few were en-
,loyed. He spoke of the increasing deye-
opement in the marble interests in our
own, citing the fact that Grenough the
culptor said, that none better could be
ound in the world. He showed that the ,
Dad proposed to be built would be o
ound paying road, and that the vast
of business it would do, would be
he highest guaratee that every obligation
ssumed would be met and fully dis
harged. He showed that without any
allure the proposed junction would vastly
Increase our population and grand list, :
nd indeed, in every aspect of the case
would tend to give us position in county !
nd State ultimately second to none. IE
His speech, which occupied nearly AMI