Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-01-15
Montpelier and Rutland Railroad.


The first meeting of the commissioners ap-
pointed BY the charter, and Of the friends OF
the proposed road, was held at Rochester on
Tuesday, and it proved to be large meeting,
composed Of men who understand the public
interests and mean earnest business in any
reasonable project 10 promote them. Mr..
Walton Of Montpelier, the first commissioner
named in the charter, called the meeting TO
order, when it was organized by the appoint
ment Of Charles Morgan Of Rochester, as
Chairman, and Hiram Carleton Of Waitsteld, /
as Secretary. The extreme ends Of the pro- |
posed line were represented by gentlemen from
Rutland and Montpelier, while from the val |
ley Of the Mad River, the branches Of White |
River and other parts Of the line, there were |
large delegations, filling the town ball foil.
MIR Walton Of Montpelier opened the bust.
ness Of the meeting by stating that the Mont |
peer and Rutland charter was for one OF three
companies, for tho construction Of roads from
Richmond, in the Province Of Quebec, to Rat
land, Vermont, through the centerof Vermont
midway between the extreme eastern and west
ern lines Of railroad already in operation, and
forming line from Quebec TO New York city
almost as straight as the crow flies. lie pro-
posed and answered aiiirmatiyey three practi-
cal questions, to wit Is the proposed railroad
needed? will it pay? can il be constructed By
the people dwelling on tie line Of the road 2
TO those who are familiar with railroads and
their fruits in developing the resources and
promoting the convenience, comfort and wealth
of those who have them, AZ the most Of our
readers are, is not necessary for us to speak Of
the first two to-day, The third point is Of the
most practical Importance. and on that Mr.
Walton stated that he had, during tie last
summer, passed over the proposed line from
Montpelier to the summit in Goshen, where il
meets a survey which has already been madc
| fom Rutland. The whole line, he FUND core
responds closely in alignment submits and
character Of soil with the other half Of the pro-
posed line from Troy or Newport to Montpelier,
which has already been surveyed by an ac-
complished and experienced locating engineer,
whose report has just been published, to wit
the line Of the proposed Montpelier and Black
River Railroad. That report was that the road
can be constructed on the most approved gauge
(three feet) for SIS, 900 per mile. The length
Of line Of the two divisions is very nearly equal
from Canada line to Montpelier u miles, and
from Montpelier to Rutland not to exceed 20
miles. The construction of the latter will
therefore, require the round sum Of one million
dollars. The amount allowed by statute to be
contributed by the toieRs on this line, being
eight times their grand list, will raise five hun
bred thousand dollars. In addition to this sum,
Mr.. W. estimated that S250,OOO ought and
probably can be raised in individual stock sub
scriptions along the line, payable in cash,
land damages, land, timber, ties, stone, teams,
and labor. This capital would not only grade
the road, but complete pretty large portion
at both ends of the line, which would be run
in connection with existing railroads and at
once do a remunerative business. This would
leave only one quarter of the cost to be met by
the credit Of the Company, and he believed that
with the road in actual operation through hall
Of its length or more, the balance could be
raised and the road completed without any
debt that would seriously embarrass the Com
pany.
The main point in this case he showed, was
Rutland. Montpelier, with the two hundred
and fifty thousand dollars which it had already
contributed to the Wells River line, and with
what must do to aid the Northern half Of the
line from Canada line 10 Rutland, Mr.. w. said
ought not, and certainly cannot, contribute
much to the Southern part Of the line. Rut.
land, from its position and wealth. and the large
advantages it is to reap, even beyond Montpe-
lier, and far beyond what it recently hoped for
from the Woodstock and Rutland railway pro-
. ject, ought to stand to this road as Montpelier
does stand to the northern and eastern road.
which are to be connected with Rutland by th,
( proposed Montpelier & Rutland road. RUTLAND
voted to give $500 900 to the Woodstock road
p which project has failed II she will now give
$685. 900, or eight times her grand list the
Montpelier and Rutland road can certainly bt
, built, and with no delay beyond the time nee
essary for surveys, raising the subscriptions b,
town and personal action, and the work Of con
3 struction.
= Mr.. W, said the meeting Of the commission
. ers was not an official one the time not having
arrived for that, but it was called for the pur
i pose of gathering the friends of the project an,
considering the things to be done TO promot
; it, He therefore invited discussion.
/. Samuel Wells Of Montpelier followed in at
;. argument in favor Of a narrow guage road
n Purifying it by citations from the best auth3ri
:, ties upon that question.
John Cain OF Rutland followed in a spsec
+ which was both practical and humorous, elicit
; ing the applause Of the audience. At thi
:, moment very valuable reinforcement arrive
from Rutland, and Col. Neazey, as their leader
:, was put into the harness at once, lie wen
!. straight into the statistics of Vermont, al
argued ably and conclusiyoly that Vernon
:, must have more railroads, even to save wha
population she has and to utilize her abundar
], riches iu timber and water-power. j. j. L
Randall of Rutland spoke Of the surveys
parts of the line over the main summit, whc
v he had made, and said the mountain pass,
~ were feasible for a railroad. Ira Richardso
Of Waitsfed, Gen. Cushman Of Rncheste
lie and Doct Cook Of Mendon, made brief bl
~ practical and valuable speeches, when resoll
r tion to begin the work, by assessing the town
N interested for funds to survey the routes pr
l. posed, was unanimously adopted and the NEE
r. ing adjourned with new born zeal for railroad
J. The Montpelier delegation staged it to Bet
i. ell by moonlight, where they were entertain,
at very Hospitality by Mr. Archer Of the Beth
As House until the train arrived-and they ''didn
Mt go home till morning" by the light OF bfi
he liant moon. But the Montpelier and RutlaT
road, we trust, is not noonshine, but will q
dure for generations to come the light Of Il
T. stars and the blaze of the sun.
r. -----------------------
IT, WooLsoS's CARD.--ln about thirty days,
nd shall remove to more convenient Rooms, for Il
to continuation Of the Merchant Tailoring Bus
on ness, in Montpelier but before making q
above change, ! desire to call the attention
49,, 30 tka raot I ,,tsb D., rnd,,