Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-06-15
The Inhenendont Railroad.


MeSsrS Editors Since the publication of
the article in your paper of the 18th of May
last, concerning, as you term it, another rail-
road project, | have been looking with consider
able interest to ascertain with what favor the
proposition for an independent through line to
Boston is received by the people, and am graft
fed to say that there has not come to my knowl-
edge a single objection from any quarter, except
the money consideration. The Milford Journal
of May 18th, in noticing the article referred to,
says if he-the writcr-"will show the chances
to raise all the funds for the road as good as
they now are to build the road according to the
first plan, perhaps the parties moving in the
matter may change their plan and adopt
his" And l have been personally as
sured by some of the most influential
movers in this matter that they hold themselves
ready to change "their plan," if a reasonable
prospect can be shown that the requisite
amount of funds can be raised. So it is con-
coded on all hands that the theory is correct.
This first point is then gained. So far, we are
sure we are right. VIM. Leggett is credited
with saying: Convince me that any theory is
correct, and will reduce it to practice if
can" An often repeated, and generally admit
ted true saying is, that where there is will
there is a way. Now, submit that, admitting
the foregoing, it ought to be easier to raise the
money for an independent road than for any
other.
So much for what may be termed the moral
aspects of the case Now, understand that the
parties interested residing in Upton and Milford,
with perhaps some aid from Worcester, and pos
sibly from the Providence railroad corporation,
feel perfect confidence in their ability to put
the road through to the Providence and WOrces-
ter road at Riverdale, this being the point now
aimed at in case Grafton will have nothing to
do with it; and without, of course, in this case,
any aid from Grafton, and as l think COM
paratively little from either Worcester or Mill
bury, mean compared with what from the
nature of the case, they, it would seem, are able
and ought to be willing to do, to secure the pro-
posed independent through line. The distance
from West Upton to Riverdale is two and half
or three miles, which length of road, if ex-
tended towards Grafton on the independent
line, will leave not over ten miles to complete
the line to Worcester, the cost of which, at
$50, 900 per mile, is 100000 for Grafton, Mill
bury and Worcester to raise And who will
say that they are not able to raise the amount?
Can there be any question as to abiityP If
not, it only requires the determination of Leg
gett and the will to find the way, and the thing
is done!
In order to induce the will and determination,
it may be well to see if there are any present or
i Is f,r
ter has population of over 10000, and for
the last ten years has increased over 1000 per
year, on an average, according to the last
census; and that, too, including the period Of
our devastating civil war, and is destined, in all
probability, in another fifty years, to reach at
least 100, 900, possibly more. Mlbury, in the
same time, understand, has increased her pop
ulation thirty per cent, and will probably
increase it in greater ratio in the future.
Grafton is reported TO have barely eld her own
in the above named time. And why? Obvious
ly for the want of any direct railroad commune
cation with the centre and most business part of
the town. While there are water privileges in
its southern part on this proposed route, unoc-
cuped, and for the reason gwen by otherwise
would be purchaserS-"that they are too far
from railroad" Upton is supposed to be slow
ly, if at ALL increasing in population, and as to
business, excepting the Messrs. Knowlton, Dan
iel Batchelder, and possibly one or two Others,
actually furnishing for the want of the vivifying
influence of railroad facilities. Milford, num-
bering about 10000, has nearly been at stand
still for the last ten years, attributable in part
at least to the want OF sufficient independent
railroad accommodations.
1t has been said that the effect of this indie
pendent line would be to Immediately materi-
ally reduce freights and fares between Worcester
and Boston, the tendency of which would be to
increase travel and business. 1t may not be
amss to say, that it would give Worcester an
other very direct route to Providence via Mil
ford, &c. In view of oil of which is it not wise
to secure as many independent commercial facil-
tiles as it is reasonable TO expect will be re-
quired, in preference to adding to the domineer-
ing proclivities of existing corporations2
1t may be well to bear in mind that this road
has for its termination the only place in all ere
alton that has attracted to itself the appellation
of the Club of the Universe" L.