The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-11-16
THE HYDE HILL.


editorial of Friday last, asserts that the
evidence in the case does not warrant the
passage of the so called Hyde bill. Great
is claimed in the discussion of
the question, but the tone of its editorial
has decided leaning toward the railroad
interests and against the people of Rutland
county who are seeking relief to their op-
pressed industries. They have appealed to
the only tribunal from which they can Sc
cure substantial rclief-namc,y the legisla-
ture of the state. They have made their
appeal in a manly way and asked by petit
ton the passage OF the Hyde bill, for such
notifications by law of the freight tariff
of railroad, as will save from almost an
initiation two of the material industries so
important to the prosperity of Rutland
county. And now we are gravcly told by
Newspaper published within its limits
that Rutland county producers are not en-
titled to. nor do they need such relief.
The testimony of Mr.. Knapp is cited to
prove that a new tariff went into effect on
tie 25th of July lest, making Il handsome
conceding what was asked of
the Delaware & Hudson Canal company.
But they fail to tell the public that in less
than month this tariff was withdrawn,
and that the producers were informed of
such withdrawal. This is not what the
producers desirc-a tariff that is made one
week and is Withdrawn the next at the
caprice of railroad They ask of the leg
islature something permanent and sutstan
tlal, not subject to the will or caprice OF
anybody. This is point that should
not be overlooked by The mem
bers of the legislature. in. the
consideration of the merits of the
CLYDE bill" They should not be deceived
by the argument that PRODUCTION" or
freight has been made. The facts show
that it was quickly withdrawn. The ques
ton involved is, will tie legislature o.
Vermont grant them permanent rates, Oh
will it leave them still at the mercy of 6
corporation TO do with them as they will
This is point the Herald editorial very
impartially avoids. The members of the
general assembly should not be deceived a:
to the real point at issue by the sopliistry OF
the opponents of Mr.. Hyde's bill, but
rather look at the needs and prayer of the
people whom they represent.
A history of the origin of this hill is at
tempted to be given by supprcssing many
of the important points in its history
which are essential to an understanding o.
the subject. They fail to state the fact
that for long period the slate producer
had been Individually asking for II reduc
ton of rates, only to have their claims re
jected. Some year or mole ago, failing t.
get any relief, an association was organ
lied, called the Rutland and Washington
County Producers Association, TO
the purpose of effecting by associ
ated action, what they had faile'
to accomplish Individually. Committee
were repeatedly appointed TO confer witt
this officers of the railroad to secure sucl
notifications of rates as would enable then
to compete with Pennsylvania and Main
slate. Nothing was accomplished until tn
2Jth of July tariff, which we have see
was speedily withdrawn, much to the def
rment of producers who, having reason t
suppose the new tariff permanent, ha
made contracts of delivery on that basis
Mr. Hyde is charged with stating that h
was in favor of carrying the subject to til
legislature. Was there anything wrong i
this statement What else could he or hi
associates do, after having exhauste
all eXpcdients TO secure relief. Wher
else cou'd they go only to the legislature
They had right to secure such law q
would meet their pressing needs, whethc
it be Potter law or n special law. The
have right to ask their fellow citizens @
the east or west side of the state to assis
them as they have done. And now an a
tempt is made to impute wrong motives t
the author of the bill for introducing th
measure. II could be kept an open auei
ton no longer, it was the last opportunit
to procure legislation aud was the last an
only resort, as he and bis associates Ina
| just reason to believe. The auestio
/ whether the road runs one mile or twept
in the state, is NOT pertinent 10 the discus
sion, they have the same right to relief.
The estimate that only one million and
half of dollars is represented in the sla,
interests is entirely erroneous. Mr.. Hyd
has facts upon which to base his estimat
of eight millions and stands in a relation
that interest to judge more correctly pc
haps than any other individual. The stat
ment that the passage of the bill would |
opposed by not less that three-fourths
the slate interest is entirely erroneous. W
must confess surprise at the review of Il
testimony and facts in this case and a
tempt by its specious line of argument
defeat the well known wishes of the pr
ducers, and we may assert of the people I
Rutland county. The demand of this Il
terest is just, and should receive attentic
at the hands of the legislature. Let the
do their duty in this matter.
Our legislators should appreciate the fa
that cheap transportation and the develo
ment of business are among the best meal
of securing the objects for which railroad
are built and managed. They should III
derstand that railway interests and those {