Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-01-08
Railroad Meeting at WOlcott.


the citizens Of the northern and central
portions Of the State convened at Wolcott
on the 2nd inst, TO hear the report Of the
committee chosen last winter at the Rail-
road Meeting at Albany, to procure sur
vcys Of the proposed Montpelier & Black
Rivcr Railroad from Montpelier to North
Troy. Gen. =. Z. Pitkin, of Montpelier,
being chairman Of that committee, opened
the meeting with brief and characteristic
speech. lie stated some Of the difficult
ties under which the committee had abored
in getting the surveys made, owing to the
latcncss Of the season before the work was
commenced, and the unusual amount Of
rainy weather which had prevailed during
the past season." lie stated that the com.
mittee could not report fully upon all the
proposed routes, as the profles and est.
mates had not been completed, owing to a
lack Of funds The field work had, how
ever, been nearly completed, and the re.
naming estimates and reports could be fin.
ished in a short time, if the necessary
funds were forthcoming. A plan was ex.
hibited, showing the location Of all the
routes surveyed aud continuous profile Of
the so-called Eagle Ledge route from Mont
pelier to North Troy; also an unfinished
profile Of the route ria Calais and Hard.
wick.
The report Of the Chief Engineer Mr.
\, II. STEARSs, was read, which was very
interesting document, giving clear and
concise description Of the country through
which the line passed, together with the
estimated cost Of each section Of the route
in detail The line, as surveyed, was "A
miles long, and the cost Of construction,
ncludings side tracks, stations, fencing, water
stations aud contingent expenses, (which,
in fact, included everything excepting equip.
mcnt, was estimated to cost about $4,000
per mile, average, costructed 10 drst-class
manner, Of 3 feet gauge, and ironed with
rail Of forty pounds per yard But as we
understand that this report is to be publish
ed we will not anticipate farther. The re-
port Of the Treasurer, Mr.. Samuel Wells,
was then read, which showed quite large
deficit in the original appropriation for the
surveys, aud the Treasurer proposed that
measures should be adopted at once to pay
what indebtedness had been incurred for
that purpose, ard also raise additional
funds sufficient in amount to complete the
work as originally designed, and relieve the
committee, who had in some cases become
personally responsible for considerable
amounts in the prosecution of the work
It was therefore decided to assess the diff.
ferent towns interested, for such amounts
as was deemed necessary 10 carry out the
original plan. a committee was then APP.
pointed to ascertain the cost of completing
the several surveys, and settle all expenses
thereof by assessing the several towns, on
the basis Of the former assessment consist
ing Of Hon. E. 2. Cotton. of Irasburgh,
Ira S. Dwinell, Calais, A. NJ Kelley, Ell
more, and S. Wells, Montpelier.
Voted, that all claims be sent in to the
treasurer within ten days from this date.
Additions were made to the soliciting
committee as follows: d. II. Buck, l.. G..
Leach, S. N, Angler, of Troy, II. X. Pres
ton, of Newport, George Merrill of Crafts
bury, and o. d. Town. of Woodbury..
1t was the unanimous desire of the meet.
ing that the present efficient committee
should continue to serve until the work for
which they we're chosen should be finished
Stirring speeches were made by Hon. Il, =
Cotton, Of Irasburgh, j. L. Dow, of AL
bagy, Hon. A. T. Jldevine, of Hardwick
Dr., f. p. Fairman, of Wolcott, and others
in favor Of pushing this enterprise to q
speedy contamination and notwithstand
ing the rival interests represented there
harmony and good feeling prevailed through
out
Voted to adjourn to meet at Hardwick
at such time as the committee might here
after designate.