Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-04-28
Meeting in winchendon.

A mass meeting of the people of Winchendon
was holden at the town hall Wednesday eve
ming, April 10Th, to take into consideration the
the unexpected and, to them, unjust opposition
which the friends of the Boston, Barre and
Gardner railroad had encountered in their efforts
to secure the extension of their road to Win
chendon. Notwithstanding the meeting was
called upon a few hours notice, there was a
good attendance, and those present were ear
nestly DESTROYS for the extension of the road,
and seemed ready to do whatever they could to
secure this result. The meeting was called to
order by c. j. Rice. Hon. Giles H. Whitney
was chosen chairman andiF B. Spalter secre-
tary.
Upon taking the chair, Mr.. Whitney spoke
of New England as being, to great extent,
dependent upon her mechanical and manufac-
turing interests for her growth and prosperity,
and that to care for these seemed to be our duty.
That it was the true policy of legislation to not
only provide the best routes to the west, but
every internal railroad route, and all other
facilities that would tend to advance
these interests. Winchendon is to be a
railroad centre, and desires direct COM
muncation with Worcester, the county
oStbJ luO oSSOuu SllJ III thO SttVNJ VuS Wy u
railroads, and the one with which we would
naturally desire the most direct route. j. H.
Fairbank spoke of the opposition the friends of
this extension had encountered during the past
few years and of the unreliability Of the
promises which have been made to them. The
first year the directors of the Boston, Barre and
Gardner railroad came here and the matter was
fully cauvassed. Mr.. Levi Haywood, of Gard
ner, received encouragement from the president
Of the Cheshire railroad, and though the Yer
mont and Massachusetts railroad were opposed
to the extension, the coast seemed almost clear.
Last year the extension was strongly opposed,
not only by the Vermont aud Massachusetts,
hut by nearly every railroad in the state The
question was finally postponed TO the present
year. The Vermont and Massachusetts, wished
10 put off the vote for one year, and agreed to
not then oppose it. The officers did actually
sign an obligation to this effect, which docu-
nent is in the hands of the president and direc-
tors of the Boston, Barre and Gardner railroad.
The friends Of the extension expected 10 readily
secure the desired charter this year, as Others
of the opposition also likewise agreed
But this year the friends of the extension had
the same and even other influences brought to
bear against them. There was new and violent
opposition from MIR. Geo. Z. Winchester, OF Ash
burnham. The president, superintendent and di-
recters of the Vermont and Massachusetts rail-
road even appeared before the railway commit
tee against them, contrary to their pledges,
though hey excused themselves by saying they
did so because they were summoned Members
of the railroad committee who last year opposed
the road, but agreed to take different course
the present year, worked against it, one MEM
Der acting as counsel for the opposition and
doing all in his power to prevent the success of
the enterprise. Even one of the railroad COM
missioners was influenced to so forget the pro-
prietles of his position, as TO be influenced
to become party to this combina-
ton TO defeat this just cause as to
f,., ks.Nw,
Mr. Fairbank closed by moving that a commit
tee of three be appointed to draft resolutions for
the consideration of the meeting. j. II. Fair
bank, G. A. Litchfield and W. H. Tucker were
appointed said committee, who reported the fol-
lowing resolutions:
Whereas, the petition of the Boston, Barre and
Gardner railroad corporation for leave to extend its
road from Gardner to Winchendon has encountered
unreasonable opposition in the legislature, and,
Whereas, by our present communications with
Worcester. we are subjected to vexatious delays,
and obliged to pass over three separate railroads
and will be In the future if this petition is not
granted,
Resolved as the sense of the inhabitants of Win
chendon, that the present population and amount
of business of this town, Its large interest as a
stakeholder in the Monadnock railroad, which has
its terminus in Winchendon, and which in the
event of the extension Of the Boston, Barre and
Gardner railroad as prayed for, will form connect
ing road, and the prospective growth of the town,
having as it does equal II not superior water power
to any town in the county, enltle ito the best and
quickest communication with worcester, It's most
important SHIRE and Its vicinity, and that the egis-
ature cannot refuse to grant charter for the extern
sion Of the road to Winchendon on any sound prin-
ciples of legislation especially when 1t s considered
that the people along the line ready to meet all
the expense Of the extension without the issue OF
dollar Of bonds.
Resolved, that we respectfully, but most earnestly
urge our request that this petition be granted by the
legislature;
requested to present these resolutions to the egsla
| lature of Massachusetts, now in session.
GA. Litchdeld spoke of the great interest felt
in this extension all along the line, and that the
| opposition was remarkable, when the city of
| Worcester, the town Of Winchendon, and all the
| towns between, SO needed and desired the extern
| sion. Our representative remarked to one gen.
/ tlemau in talking of this matter, "But we have
| an honest cause;" the reply was eff you have
| only an honest cause, God help you.D Our Sena-
| tors and representatives should all know that
| we are in earnest. The legislature cannot deny
this road without injustice to the people inter
ested. We have paid large sums to secure rail-
| roads to come here, and now will we not be IN
earnest, and work with will for road so need
ed by us, which stands knocking at our door
that asks no pecuniary aid of the town. which
our tax payers will not be assessed
one cent. individuals stand ready e
furnish the funds necessary TO complete
the extension at once, if we can only get thu
necessary bill from the legislature. We all hav'
more or less influence; our interests are at stake
| and 1t behooves us to exert all the influence W
can in every way we can honorably TO secure tn
] desired result. Private interest should Civ
( way to the public good This 10 a sound princi
ple--the feeling OF a true Roman citizen as !
should be Of every citizen Of this state. w