The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-08-29


and money Is plenty here, we usually find
the same to be true throughout the county
Let anything occur TO interfere with the,
full working of the industries IN the seve-
raj towns of the county, and we feel the
depression here as quickly and surely as
the telegraph operator at Burlington feels
the touch on the key of the operator at
Rutland. The construction of the several
line OF railroad, their course anc direction,
have made Rutlend the business center of
the county. We are largely indebted 10
these railroads for our growth and TOR our
present wealth and prosperity, because
without them our industries and wealth
would not have been developed. II Is not
the railroads, in one sense, which give lis
wealth they only aid us in this direction
by the facilities they afford for rapid,
easy and c6eap transportation. If their
rates OF freight are so high that the pro-
ducts of our industries cannot be carried to
distant points so as to compete with the
same class of goods produced else
where, then they do not add to the wealth
of the town and county, or aid others in so
doing The true wealth of Rutland coun-
ty is in her hill and mountain sides. 1t
consists of vast depot its of marble slate,
iron, etc. To these may be added the
trees growing upon her mountains, al
though there is hardly more than sufficient
of this tor home consumption and use.
With marble and slate 1t Is different. If
there was nothing but home demand,
how quick would the several quarries and
mills be closed and how rapidly would the
county become measurably depopulated
We hear of no abandoned farms and va
cant farm houses in Rutland county, be-
cause her railroads have enabled her to
supply another market, than home, with
marble, from the rough block down to
pieces of thing, and with slate for roofing,
billiard table beds, tagging, slate pencils
and we know not in how many other
forms. The men, with their families, di-
rectly interested or employed IN the sew
eral quarries and mills. If they should re-
move from the county would take largely
from her population and wealth Then
add, to these, those whose business, in
whole or in part, is dependent upon these
men, and some idea may be gained of the
fearful hole that would be made in this
county by a cessation, or even partial
cessation of these industries.
1t is this that makes the transportation
question matter of so much importance.
1t interests not only the several railroad
companies and the owners of slate and
marble quarres and mills, but the people
of the whole county and state. 1t has al
ways seemed strange to us that the man.
ayers of railroads could not see that their
own interests were, in a measure, the same
as those of the marble and slate producer
Their interests are identical to certain
point. 1t is, Of course, obvious that the
more the production, the greater will be
the amount transported. Experience has
shown that in the carrying trade, as in all
others, rate of freight fixed at the lowest
price at which it can be carried at reason.
able profit, will so stimulate production
and. consequently, transportation, that
the net profits will be largely increased for
the year. The postofllce department found
lis revenue larger the first year that the
rate of postage was fixed at three cents
than it did before when it was from double
to eight times that amount. This illus
trates the principle, although it is of a
different kind. The marble and slate men
at once feel reduction of freight, there is
an increase of production, and transporta-
ton is in immediate demand. A reduction
of twenty-five per cent. on the rate of
freight for slate and marble would increase
the receipts and net profits of the rail-
roads over fifty per cent. Every one seems
to see this except certain railroad man.
ayers. AS they will not see it, or do not
see it, our next legislature will be called
upon to act in the premises and, if posi-
bic, TO rectify it. 1t is q matter full of
difficulty and doubt, and must be managed
with wisdom, prudence and due regard
for the rights of ALL 1t must not be for
gotten that while the producer and the
people generally have rights which must
be protected and guarded, the railroad
companies have, also, certain rights which
must he respected. For this reason, great
care should be taken in the selection of
representatives of the several towns of the
county next Tuesday. Men are wanted
fully competent to deal with this question
in all lis bearings, for any law that is
passed will apply to all railroads alike. In
this matter, too, all of Rutland county is
alike interested, for upon its proper solu-
ton depends the interests of her safe and
marble producers. There are some points
which should be provided for in
general law, if such an one should
be proposed but this is not the
place in which to now suggest
them. We leave their consideration to
future day. Our only object, at this time,
is to impress upon our fellow citizens of
Rutland county that the interests of the
several towns are the same that upon the
prosperity and full development of our
slate and marble enterprises our prosperity
largely depends; that the facilities of
transportation afforded by the railroads
have built up the county by aiding in the
development of these enterprises, and only
through such facilities have they aided to
build us up, and to urge upon the several
towns of the county to elect such repre-
sentatives as will best promote these
objects.
The Kuling Passion
Among the members of the veteran asso-
citation from Fitchbprg, Mass, was Henry
e. Benson, a former resident of Spring