Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-04-27

Phillips, VIM starr. Osgood bradiey. llnothy
Isaac n Ross of Holden, B Whitney of Win
chendon.
HON. W. W. RICE,
Was then introduced as the first speaker of the
evening, We give sketch of his remarks,
which consisted in statements concerning the
Boston, Barre and Gardner road, its history, the
need of the proposed extension, the influence
operating against it, in the legislature, etc.
Mr.. Mayor and Feiloag Citizens: am here, as you
know, by your order, without opportunity having
been given me to arrange my remarks before pre-
senting myself This meeting was called without
reconciliation in accordance with an order passed
| in the city council, In order that the citizens
might come together to inform themselves upon
matter deeply concerning themselves, and to give
expression to their opinions in regard to the mat
ter. We generally leave too much to the members
sent by to the legislature; we should strengthen
their hands by taking active interest In all things
they do; they want to hear from what we eX-
act as our rights.
quarter Of century ago the wise and good men
who laid the foundation of the prosperity of our
city, devised railroad system which they eonsd-
cred would best meet our wants; what that system
is which connects with other cities you all know;
the result of the aystem devised Is also known by
those who have seen Worcester grow rapidly from
a small village to the second city in the state.
road, first called the Barre and Gardner road,
but now called the Boston, Barre and Gardner road
chartered in 1917, and read as the names OF
the three original corporators, Hon. j. w Lincoln
of the most sagaciOus men of his time, and now
dead: Seth Caldwell, Esq., then of Barre, but who
has since died in our midst; and John NJ. Brooks,
Esq, one of the prominent citizens of Princeton
The money of our citizens given freely, and the
other roads were built but the resources were ex
hausted before this road, charter for which had
been ob1ained, constructed. The original char
ter provided for a road from Worcester TO Gardner
and branch from some point on the trunk to
Barre. This road was designed to complete the
connection between our city and the towns in the
northwestern part of the county. and the interest
. INV onIa 1ony fba limo nf
was sufficient to keep the charter alive; for they
we're looking forward with faith to the
time when the money and VIII necessary to build
the road should be forthcoming, and they should
have the desired means of communicating with our
city. During this time efforts were made tending
10 division of the county; the towns to the north
of us, distant from their shire town were urged 10
the division, but they stood by Worcester and sub
mitted to the inconvenience rather than be sum
dered from her and let the old county fall to frag
ments, still looking forward to the time when this
road should be constructed. Matters kept along IN
this way until two years ago. when the city and the
towns referred to found themselves prosperous and
able to accomplish whatever was necessary for the
convenience of all; and the old plan was pressed
forward. Meetings were held in towns along the
route, and money was subscribed freely. The city
of Worcester voted to take $263,O00 Of the stock,
and the other towns voted to take their share also
The road was put in the hands of a contractor
whose ability and character has fully satisfied the
directors, and force of men was set to WORK. The
road is now ready tor the rails-in fact the laying
of them has begun at the Gardner terminus, and
by midsummer the ears will be rolling over the
road-a good road, built upon honor.
At the outset it was discovered that change had
taken place in the condition OF the towns in the
northwestern part of the county. Twenty-Five
years ago the Cheshire road was not built; ana in
that time Winchendon, frontier town in our
county, had grown greatly in prosperity; the
MOnadnock road had been built, and 1t was plainly
seen that Winchendon was the proper place for the
road to end instead OF Gardner where before it
only thought desirable to connecti it with the YER
mont and Massachusetts, road. That road dips to
the south to reach Gardner, like the bale
of pail, but 1t is the intention to straghten this
line, and make 1t direct from Baldwinsville to Ash
burnham Junction. 1t was also seen that inn
portant step would be the connection with the
Cheshire and Monadnock roads at Winchendon; it
was important for Worcester interests, large
portion of our granite comes from that section and
much Of the grain coming from the west would IN IN
come around through Fitchburg; 1t was important
also increasing the stock value of the road. By
this means Wlnchendon will be reached by a route
ten miles than at present, and the tedious de-
lay now experienced by passengers in consequence
of the change at Fitchburg will be overcome.
For these and other reasons 1t was the unani-
nous wish of people on the route that the extern
sion should be made, and this wish they indicated
to the legislature by signing petition and sending
to that body a year ago. the petition bearing also
the endorsement of the city council of Worcester.
1t was little petition. and perhaps seemed of small
moment when compared wit h the Hartford and
Erie and other enterprises which engaged the atten
ton of the legislators still itwas there, was referred
to the committee on railways, supported by able
council procured in Boston. We supposed it would
be reported favorably upon; but were surprised to
find that they though ready to grant the Hartford
aud Erie schemers whatever they might ask for, OPP
posed our little road; we went down and finding
things so, somewhat excited; we were astonish
ed to the faces Of those IN the lobby-who every
year get money for the little influence they can but
ought not to have-all against us. We consulted
as to what could be done. Who stood there to OPP
pose it? AT last we found that our active and
ambitious friends from FItchburg, who throw out
their roads in all directions, were there; also
another from Ashburnham, and the officers of the
Vermont and Massachusetts road were there. We
were not very well prepared for contest with
these opposing elements. We asked Of the Fitch
burg men "Why do you oppose usy Has Worces-
ter ever opposed your railroad or other enterprises
by hired lobbyists. Did not worcester, when you de-
sired an elegant court house advise the county COM
missioners to bnild it? We asked Winchester of
Ashburnham why he opposed US. don't think they
had reply; we got none from them. From the Yer
mont and Massachusetts road we did receive re-
ply. They answered that they IN trouble; their
road was crooked and they wished to Strengthen 1t.
They didn't know how they should do 1t. II we
would wait year they would have it completed,
then they would be happy to have our road
built and would offer no oppositlon a meeting was
held with the officers of that road and writing
was drawn up to tnat effect. Thus the objections of
that road were silenced and withdrawn. Mr.:
Hobart, chairman of the railroad committee, and
also speaker of the house urged us to postpone.
Under this pressure We consented to withdraw for
year, with the full assurance from all that no
opposition would be offered another year. Mr..
Hobart assured me that if necessary he would come
to Boston and support the petition If he was not
member of the legislature; so with all we rested Sc
cure.
This year the petition was again put in; we were
little more anxious we had drawn our enemies
fire, and knew where they were; we went down
with more care and supplied with more statistics.
When there who should we see sitting on the COM
mittee as judge, but the very same gentleman who
last year led the lobby against u.s. The Vermont and
Massachusetts railroad was not there to Opposes no
citizens of Fitehburg citizens were there; Win
chester of Ashburnham, with his pertinacity, in
defatigable activity and plausible tongue was there
-nowbody else. He had however, called to his aid
Mr.. Morton, a member of the committee O. last
year and most able lawyer, who had said to me
last year that the petition ought to be granted. We
went forward, explained the wishes of the people,
showed resources and succeeded in satisfying eight
of the eleven members of the committee of the JUS
tice of our claims. Three were opposed
Towne, of Fitchburg, Adams, OF Quincy and
Phillips, of Salem. Thus the committee
was made fully acquainted with the merits
of case, and eight of the eleven were prepared
to report favorably. We supposed our work was
DONE but found that we had not begun it. Our op-
members and fill their with pdrte and false
statements. We were surprised again as we turned
and, looking in the lobby the face of the chair
man of last years committee against u.s. every other
lobbyist against us, the officers of the Hitchburg
road against us, the heavy influence Of the Vermont
and Massachusetts road pledged not to opposel
against u.s. and we were led to think that our road
was an important one.
Thus those who did not dare meet us with argu-
ment had indefatigaby Piled members with letters,
statements, influences, whenever they could be
had), and, we are sorry to say, not without enect
They represented that nobody in Worcester cared
I
Worcester did not care enough about the matter to
hire lobbyists in favor; they said we did not need
the road, and ought not to spend money for it, and
brought up other objections which were answered
These statements induced members to pause and
consider how to vote. The vote is coming soon,
and we want to show them how much Worcester
wants the road, and let them understand the truth
in the matter
AT the conclusion of Mr. Rce's able address
the mayor called upon Hon. Geo. F. Hoar, who
was warmly appauded as he came forward and
spoke TO the following effect:
REMARKS OF HON GEO. F. HoAR.
There were he said, tlve hundred men in Worces-
ter better qualified to speak to this question than
himself men who dealt with these interests with
the unerring sagacity of men OF business, but he
would call attention TO a few facts in connection
with this railroad of its importance, second in in
terest only to the moral and educational welfare of
Worcester in the promotion of Its direct living in
terests. The key note of his remarks the great
necessity that great avenues of communication
should be under the control of the towns through
which they pass, and should be operated and con-
Quoted to advance their interests. He called aten-
| ton to the marvellous achievements of Worcester,
far up in the NORTH in state where ice and granite
were the staple productions, where the climate
bleak and variable, impeded by ice evaporaed by
heat, vet with these disadvantages she has brought
| al half