Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-05-05
FRIDAY. MAY s. 1871.
Mr.. "BInnL,s. Cat Hunt.

MIR. sBIanL's" Cat HI unit.
The Fall River News has an article on Wor-
cester and the Worcester and Gardner railroad,
which shows, from beginning to end, where it
was written. 1t went in manuscript from Bos-
ton to Fall River. 1t was concocted by one OF
the leading opposers of an extension of this
road who lives in quite another direction from
Boston. The editor of the News himself would
not have written the article. He has no such
condition of thought or feeling as could have
moved him to do it; and, certainly, we can not
suppose him capable of such contemplate Zip
Pancy. L was written in Boston, and any one
who may read it can see that whoever wrote it,
is in the habit of looking At the matter from a
point considerably north Of Boston. The writer
entities his lucubration "The Cat in the Meal
He says nothing new or forcible, but repeats
freely what has been heard, all winter, from the
ring and its lobby agents.
This writer is not regular writer for news
papers; but it is well known here, at the state
house, and cup north" that he has a mono
mania for hunting Worcester 'cats." He is
sure Tor, rather says he is sure), that Worcester
now has "cst in the meal" which should be
killed. OF course, his chief aim is to hunt this
cat by repeating exposed Interpretations
and falsehoods relative to the measure he seeks
to defeat, and which the Appleton letter" has
failed to defeat; and he repeats them for effect
on somebody in Fall River.
For instance, in order to misrepresent the rea-
sons that require an extension of the Worcester
and Gardner road, he studiously conceals the
fact, that this railroad was chartered before the
building of the Cheshire and MoDadnock roads
created the necessity of extending it to VIM
chendon. He says. also, that the proposed ex-
tension will produce such terrible results, that
Bristol county generally and eve" in Fall River
particularly, will be deprived of railroad facili-
ties, and obliged to have our freights come to
us from Vermont and the Connecticut valley,
"either through Worcester and Providence or
through Boston" This change in the route of
their freights is to be effected by the building
of few miles of railroad between Gardner
and Winehendonl The other route, it is
supposed, will sink out of sight, ten
thousand fathoms deep in the earth, instantly,
when the proposed extension is completed. Do
the people Of Fall River and Bristol county feel
compimented by the assumption that they will
believe this? Again he says "Winchendon can
go right down to Worcester over roads already
in operation" Yes, by starting in the morning
waiting hours at Fitehburg, and reaching Wor
cester sometime in the evening. This is not
desirable method of going Fright down." Ii
the same way, the people of Fall River could "g
right down" to Boston, by way of Providenc
and Worcester, if they had no direct railroa
route.
But the article in question is not worth the al
tention we have given it. Probably, we shout
not have noticed it at all, if the writer had DO
made himself so visible in its 1ippant and trick,
sentences. No reasonable man who consider
the matter, can fail to see that the ex
tension required would provide for an importan
local want, without doing injury to any othei
road whatever. The Worcester and Gardner
road will give every road it touches much NOR
new business than will equal the small amour
that may be diverted from it. The opposition
TO the extension proceeds more from desire t
obstruct the business of Worcester than frou
fear OF injury to any other interest. Why shoul
there not be direct railroad communication be
tween Worcester and the towns along the lin
of this road, and the Cheshire road al Winchen
don? A direct route would increase their bust
ness with New Hampshire and Vermont ten
fold. We ask only what is reasonable and just
and we believe the legislature viii give it,
One thing more must be noticed. This writer
says, "Winchendon is little town near the line
of the STATE" A "little town. Well, it has a
population of $685. and a valuation of 81 ,160,-
952; and it will soon double these figures. Poor
"ittle" Winchendon away up in that barren /,
out of the way place con the state line!" We
wonder if anybody known to this amusing cat
hunter, is jealous of '1ittle" Winchendon! Its
growth can harm nobody. Nevertheless, q
great deal is signifed by the sighting words =
'Winchendon, little town on the state line"