Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-10-11
THE VERMONT CENTRAL DIFF
FACULTIES.

We have waited for the fog to clear away
before saying anything in reference to the
misfortunes of the Central Railroad. 1t is
common to hear 1t remarked that the whole
press of Vermont is bought up by the rail-
roads, and that it is in vain to expect the
papers of the State to tell the truth about
railroad matters when the truth would hurt
the roads. We believe this charge, like all
charges of venality against a whole class, to
be not only false but absurd. We are con-
6dent that not paper in the State is in the
pay of any railroad, or receives any iayors OF
character obligating it to cover up truth
in defense of railroads or their managers.
Whatever bias may be discerned in the YER
mont press in regard to the matter is not
veDal but honorable, nasmuch as it repre-
sents natural and laudabe pride and inter-
est in these great and beneficial public works,
on the success Of which the prosperity of the
State so greatly depends. But even this In-
terest would not prevent the press of the
State from denouncing fraud, or deprecating
Encouragement, and We are proud to note,
on the part of our leading journals, a tone
Of independent criticism in the matter that
certainly frees them from any suspicion of
venality in regard to So important subject
But when simple justice is done, by wait
ing for the explanatory statement Of the
trustees of the road, We do not see where
there is room for severe judgment upon
their actions. That they triumphantly win.
dicated themselves from every charge of per-
sonal or official dishonesty was no surprise to
those who knew the men. On that score no
intelligent Vermonter could entertain
doubt. That they have been somewhat too
venturesome and over-sahguine, is apparent
but the fault, if it is a fault, sprang from a
spirit of patriotic enterprise, and desire to
develop the resources Of the road and the
business of the State by the use of every
means in their power, aud at the risk of heavy
personal loss as well rs Of embarrassments
that, even had they not reached the point
they have, entaied labor and anxiety which
few can conceive who are unacquainted with
the difficulties of managing property stu
ated as that of the Central Railroad is and
has been for many years.
1t is plain that while dividends upon stock
and bonds may have to be foregone for a
time, the property of the road aud its credit
ors has not really suffered in the hands Of its
trustees. Money has been spent in improve
meuts that more cautious men would have
reserved for dividends. Money has been
borrowed and charged upon the road which
ought to stand, and under other Circumstance
es legihmately would stand, as part Of the
permanent capital. These difficulties are in
great part due to the condition in which the
property is placed, under trusteeship, and
the suggestion Of the trustees themselves,
that reorganization be effected by which
the management will be transferred to a reg
ular corporation, with all the powers and re.
sponsibilities thereof, is eminently a wise
one
We look to see the Central come out safe.
ly from all its troubles, surmOunting the diff