The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-01-18
DAILY PRESS.
PcIcT'AAA ND
Tuesday Morning, January l9, 1870.


10 the Edat0rs Of the PTess:
have Just been reading an article which
appeared in your excellent paper of the 9th
inst, signed "P."
As an humble citizen Of that part of Ver-
mont known as the Lamoille Valley, through
which the proposed Portland and OsdeDsburg
railroad is TO pass, cannot consistently a.
low the article to 60 by unnotced. I shall
not attempt at this time, but may hereafter,
to answer that portion of the article which
refers to other lines through Vermont. So
far as the Rutland route is concerned, 1 have
no personal knowledge, but hope it may be
| feasible. I have no hostility to the interests
of any proposed line from Portland West,
| and shall not speak against any of them. 1t
is enough for me and the people of Portland
to know that the line of the Portland and
Ogdensburg railroad is feasible and will when
built, fully answer the most sanguine eypec-
tation Of its friends both in Maine and Yer
mont. judge from the article signed "P."
that its author speaks of the Portland and
Ogdensburg line through that portion OF
New Hampshire west of the Notch, and
through Vermont, not from personal obser-
vation, but from what some one has told him,
and should judge that he had been imposed
upon with wrong information, and my only
surprise is that he should risk his reputation
In making such statements as his article con-
tains until he had some substantial knowl
edge that they were correct. He must have
known that his communication would be read
by some one-yes, by many, who would
know the facts, and that if he misstated he
would certainly be exposed; and this is my
purpose, in the main. From Portland to the
Crawford House in the Notch know moth
ing OF the route, but from the Notch west to
Swanton / have some knowledge, obtained
from observation, having passed over the
entire line for the special purpose of examin-
ing the same and seeing the country. And
allow me to say that the entire line from the
Notch to Swanton has been thoroughly sur
veyed, and profles made which have ex-
amined, and hence have some statistical in
formation of the character of the line and
the country through which it passes.
Having stated thus briefly my means of
knowledge, l will now reply to some OF the
erroneous statements contained in "P.'s' arti-
| Gle. After speaking of the "unfairness and
| i'll temper" witnessed in certain other COM
municataion which had appeared in the Press
signed "B.", "P." then says, "Of the character
of the line and probable cost of the Portland
and Ogdensburg railroad from Fryeburg TO
Swanton, the public are kept in the most pro-
| found ignorance" So far as the line in Yer
mont is called in question, 1 will try and re-
move that ignorance. The distance from
Swanton to the Connecticut river at Dalton
by actual surveys is 112 miles. The highest
grade encountered going east is 65 feet per
mile, and this grade is only for short dis
| tances. About 65 per cent. of the line is
straight. The cost of construction, taking
present contracts as basis will not ex.
ceed S25,O00 per mile. The construction of
sixty miles Of the road in Vermont has al
ready been contracted, and it is nop being
built. The balance of the line will be under
contract for construction in early spring. We
have sufficient money raised in stock sub
scriptions in Vermont to complete the road
in Vermont ready for the superstructure. In
going west we have for short distance a
grade a little in excess of sixty-five feet, but
we consider it unobiectionable from the fact
that it is used going west only.
| Again. after speaking of the difficulty of the
route to build and keep in repair through the
Notch. and giving the elevations, &C., he says
Other and more difficult points, but not SC
we'll known, occur between the Notch and
the Connecticut river, from the Come. .ticut
liver over Moose mountain to st. Johnsbury
and from Walden heights to the valley of the
Passumpsic at st. Johnsbury over the valley oil
| the Lamole river, with an expensive line be-
tween the head waters of tie Lamoille and
the line of the Vermont Central railroad at
Swanton.'
First, The line from the Notch to the Con-
\ necticut river is quite direct, with but little
heavy work, and no grade going either way
exceeding sixty five feet per mile.
Second, The line passes over no mountain
known as Moose mountain, or any other from
the Connecticut river to st. Johnsbury. TIE
line from the Connecticut river to the height
of land is about IL miles in length
and in that distance has 10 overcome an
elevation Of ia feet. This is the height
| of cps" Moose mountain above the Connect
icut river. From the height to st. Johnsbury,
distance of sixteen miles, the line is in the
valley of Moose river, has an easy grade not
exceeding fifty-fve feet per mile at any point,
and is vely easy Of construction. From st,
Johnsbury over the summit in Walden to the
Lamoille river, We have good line, one that
is located especially for freight and passen-
ger road, with no grade going east, as have
before stated, exceeding sixty.fve feet, while
going west for short distance we have a
grade little in excess of that.
Third. From the head waters of the La
moille river TO Swanton we have as fine a line
being about go miles as can be found in Ver-
mont. 1t is all the way in the valley of a
stream with much straight line and leve
grade, and no grade at any point going either
way, exceeding 80 feet per mile, while most OF
the way where there is any grade it ranges
from to 80 feet per mile.
The statistics that have given can be re-
lied upon as they are taken from actual sur
veys made by careful and competent engineers
Again "P' makes very strong statements
against the Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain
railroad running from Rorse's Point to Og
densburg. As to these l have no knowledge,
but have in the last year rhode overthe road
two or three times, and must certainly say
that it is one of the best operated roads, with
the best appointments in all particulars evel
passed over. and it seemed to be doing large
business. Its track and everything about i
are in excellent condition and it is considere,
by the people and business men in this section
as being first class road, and doing pros
porous business. cps" statements about thi
road are looked upon here by good judges ant
men who live and do business upon the roa'
as a g1ea. humbug and in the main ground
less.
Next "P" "favors his pet" the Portland an
Rutland line and says: Rutland is the larges
town in Vermont" &c. This may be true
but let me ask so lorg as she is nearer Bosto
than Portland with railways already built
Boston and controlled by Boston, what ca
Portland expect from her, especially when tn
Portland and Rutland road must connect wit
the road leading from Rutland to Bosto
south of Rutland. II passengers or treigt