Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-02-02


m ents in accordance with the demand OF
the times and wants of the business and
travelling public. Again it is to be taken
into consideration that the jmmense car
rvino trade of the one demanded the use
of the other to increase Its facilities for
doing it's legitimate business. The Yer
mont Central would have been compelled
at an early day to have laid another track,
and it would seem far better that the Rut-
land road running to the same objective
point should be brought into roquisition
than that an expenditure of several hun
dred thousand dollars be made for the
purpose Of ultimately doing portion of
the business now to be accomplish cd by
this union of interests In this view Of
the subject, which is the reasonable one
to be taken under existing circumstances,
no injury can be done to the State, ITS
business or people, but is all for their
ultimate benefit and prosperity. ... .-
We are aware that the people of Rut-
land have feared that this combination of
interests and the passage of the direc'
management from the hands Of our citi-
zens to that Of non-residents would in
volve q serious Injury to the town and
strike blow at its prosperity. While
perhaps the effect OF the change may pos
sibly temporarily disadvantage our bust
ness, vet the terms of the lease indicate
that Rutland is far more fully protected
than could ordinarily have been expected
on such transfer of large corporation.
The shops are to be kept in full operation,
and assurances are given that no material
changes are to be made in the operation OF
the road. The nature of the case, on re.
lection, must show that the road cannot
be successfully managed without the
maintenance of the full operative
power now in use at this point. We have
nothing to fear on this score with the
probability that even the mechanical and
manufacturing force may ultimately be
largely increased as the business will in
evitably grow. Should it prove other
wise, the spirit of our people should not
be broken from this cause; but they must
arouse themselves to activity in other d.
rections of trade, establishing such manu-
features as will make Rutland as central
a manufacturing point as it is now a
railway point. s.-
1t appears far better to US that the
RutlandRoad should pass under the man
agement of Vermonters than to have had
it fallen into the hands of foreign cor
poration as it might have done, and it is
rumored was liable to be the case or to
have gone into the possession of men who
had never demonstrated any capacity as
railroad managers. Such an event would
have been positive disaster to the town
and State. The Vermont Central has
always been managed by Vermont men
and in the interests of Vermont, and has
given evidence that it was the intention
of those interested to SO retaini it and all
efforts to change have proved futile.
This fact is guarantee that, in possession
of such men the Rutland Road will be op-
Grated in the same way, and in the inter-
ests of our own State. The history of the
Central has evinced that it is we'll man.
aged read and the towns along it's line
have all been rapidly built up and are
prosperous, indicating that attention has
been specially given to the creation of
local business which always gives thrift
and prosperity to communities, and have
we not reason to hope and expect by a
similar management equal impulse may
be given to the local interests and the en-
enlargement of business along the line of
the Rutland Road from Burlington to
Bellows Falls. Such is the history of the
past on which we have basis to draw
hopeful inclusion for the future. .
1t is we'll known that the principal
manager of the Central Railroad is ex-
Governor, John Gregory Smith, gentle.
man Of large experience, great ability
and industry, native and always resi-.
dent of Vermont, educated in its schools,
and familiar with it's people, his every
impulse is, and labor has been in the in
terests of his native State. None have
reason to fear that he would willingly con.
sent to allow any section of the State he has
served go well to be injured by his acts
or that of his co-laborers. He is personal
ly perhaps unknown to MANY of our peo'
pie, but he will soon be recognized by all
as corteous, affAble gentleman, who will
be ready to work with US in promoting
our prosperity and the upbuilding of our
town. 1t is gratifying fact that there
is so cordial feeling manifested by our
citizens towards the new managers, and
let US welcome them heartily, and endea'
vor on our part to assure them of our CO.
operation in their efforts to build up and
make profitable their new interest, and
look hopefully upon the future of the
Rutland Railroad and its Identification
with the growth Of our town. # s-a