Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-04-29
woRCE sTER
SATURDAY, APRIL go, 1871.


worcester and WnchendOn.
The extension of the Worcester and Gardner
railroad to Winchendon, is so necessary so i'm
portant to those directly interested, and so
little in conflict with any other interest that no
good reason can be urged against it, The need
of this extension is so great, and so generally
felt by those interested in the matter, that they
will provide all the money required for the
work, when the necessary action of the legisla-
ture shall be secured. They do not go TO the
legislature for money. They ask nothing but
authority to use their own money TO connect
the towns along very important local railroad,
with Winchendon and the region above it in
New Hampshire
The Worcester and Gardner railroad is nearly
completed. 1t will be in operation in July,
much to the qualification of the people Of a line
OF important towns in this county which have
never had the advantage of railroad facilities.
Extending the road eight or ten miles will COM
pleIe the line to the northern limit of the coun-
ty, and place all these towns, well as this city,
in direct connection with the Cheshire and Mo-
nadnoc roads. twill add considerable business
TO those railroads, without interfering seriously
with the business of any other road. The only
possible diversion of travel or transportation
is that which may be oecasioned by direct and
speedy route from Worcester to the northwest
part of the county; but this will notbe great for
fifty persons, probably will come TO Worcester, by
the new road, where one comes now by any rail.
road route in operation. The business of this
road viii be mainly new business.
The entdemonstratons have called attention
chic aYd ca,vad RI TnoIa its claims
understood by some who may not, heretofore
have given special attention to the matter. We
notice that the Springfield Republican and Bos-
ton Journal understand the matter and speak of
it justly. In an editorial which states the case
fairly, the Republican says:
at is opposed at the state house by that invet-
crate lobby-lawyer, ex-senator Morton, who,
last year, won such an unenviable notoriety by
his attempts to push the Hartford and Erie
swindle through the legislature, and by whole
swarm of other lobbyists, big and little. We
are sorry TO see, too, that Mr.. Towne OF Fitch
burg, who ought TO look out better for his repu-
tation as a legislator and politician, is one of the
leaders of the log-rolling combination against
the road, unless he is very much belied,"
The Journal notices that the meeting held in
Worcester has attracted general attention, and
points out that opposition to such enterprises,
based upon no higher motives than appear in
this case, can never win more than temporary
success, and adds;
zone might, with equal chances of success
expect to check the creation of streets in our
large towns and cities, as to prevent the build
ing of new roads where public eXigency exists
for such roads, and whenever the people living
along the route aClli1lg to Unrest their nlOnel
an paying for their construction. 1t is thi
principle which the opponents of the
extension of the Boston, Barre and Gard
ner railroad are seeking to attack, and
believing as we do that there is in this on
position something which involves the rights OF
those who have no local interest in the contest
we are induced to hope that the legislature will
look at the question in its true light"
In Ashburnham, opposition to this enterprise,
comes, chiefly, from blind and foolish jealousy
of Winchendon and Gardner, and it is mostly
confined we suspect, to one individual At
any rate, the proposed extension of the Worces-
ter and Gardner road, will take nothing from
Ashburnham; its railroad accommodations will
remain unchanged The Fitchburg opposition is
still more unreasonable for those engaged in it
seem to prefer having the towns to be accommo-
dated remain without railroad facilities, since
they can have them only by means of a load
leading directly from Winchendon to Worcester.
Last year, the Vermont and Massachusetts COM
pany was formally pledged not to oppose this
extension of the Worcester and Gardner railroad
in the present legislature. That pledge has been
violated. That company fears the Worcester
and Gardner road may get little of its present |
business. This may be so; but the managers of |
that company are blind to their own interest.
We venture now to predict, that the Vermont |
and Massachusetts, road will gain from the Wor-
cester and Gardner road much more than it will |
lose. The towns on this road will give it more |
new business than will be a sufficient compensa-
ton for the little of its old business that may be
lost, not to speak of what it will gain otherwise,
by means of this connection with Worcester.
1t never should have been made necessary to
say so much, publicly, in support of the pro-
posed extension of the Worcester and Gardner |
railroad. 1t is local matter, of great interest
to the communities in this county for whose ac-
commodatiOn it provides, and nowise hostile to |
the interests of any other community. We hope |
the legislature will grant what is asked, and |
make it distinctly understood, that an honest
measure like this, can neither be defeated nor
greatly embarrassed at the state house, by the |
impudent interference of hired Hobbies Our |
legislature should not allow it to be understood |
or suspected, that any railroad ring, using a |
hired lobby, can, in any manner, control or in
huence its action; and, certainly it should not
disregard such an effort as this to provide Tor
local want.