Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-01-15

how the mallef stands. inc Toute VI tue
proposcd new road turns in at point on
Western avenue nearly opposite the house
Of Charles II. Stevens, taking In corner
of land on the bank owned by Mr.. Appel
baum; thence along the side hill or bank
on nearly a straight line TO the south side
Of the widow DOyle's house ON Elliot
street, passing through broken pasture
for most of the way. The lower cad cross
es a small moving patch, aud would me-
cessilaie the moving Of three or four OF
Mrs. Doylo's apple trees on Eliot street.
Does any one suppose the damage could be
great to private property Those at all ac-
quainled with the route can judge for
themselves. II could be but little damage
TO ordinary citizens, but TO the more
wealthy class and those living In afiiuence
II may look differently. The commission
ers think the road could not be built with
out great expense and also great damage TO
the water pipes. This Is the sharp point Of
the report and certainly reflects very sharp
ly upon the parties who filed bond 10
build the road according 10 specifications
and without injury 10 the aqueduct. At
the time of the hearing a bond was
drawn up and signed by responsible par
lies las was supposed) oblging themselves
to build the road for 50 co. including the
short branch by the gardeners house. The
road was TO he built 20 feet travel track,
and In no place TO exceed four degrees, and
in no way TO Interfere with the aqueduct
or injure the flow of wafer. 1t was 10 be
built TO the acceptance Of such officers as
would be appointed TO examine 1t when
completed. The petitioners could have
given a $4,000 bond if ii had been requlr-
ed by the co nmissioners. But 1t was
fully understood, at the time, that
| the bond was every way satisfactory.
As one of the commissioners remarked,
1.-THE bond disposed Of the question or
cost" AS to the water pipes which so
much stress has been put upon, will say
there is bnt one line of pipe In the bank,
and that 10 be crossed but once. 1t was
admitted before the commissioners by one
of the officers of the "waier board" that
The pipe could be crossed by the road with
out injuring ii and since the hearing the
same man remarked 10 me thai "ifthe road
was laid the petitioners would not need to
send away for an engineer, as he could
| give such instruction about the work as 10
make /. perfectly practicable and SAFE"
This man usually knows what he is talk
ing about. 1t would appear from the re-
poIt that the bank was full OF water pipes
and that the petitioners would willingly
cause a dearth OF wafer in the village for
the sake of the road, although some of
them are large owners in this aqueduct
and depend entirely upon 1t for their sup
nj 10 ieal NJ ha
road without injury to tho water is too APP
parentto need any argument In review
ing the whole matter, 1t must he acknOwl-
d5ed that the Cave Bank road could be
built and damages settled for one-half tie
money that the High aud Green street hills
could be brought 10 the same grade for (;
and as 10 private damages, they would bear
no comparison TO those on the hill route.
Besides, if the new road was built, 1t would
relieve High and Green streets of the heav y
teaming, making ii much safer for pleas
ure travel. About one thousand teams or
all kinds go over Western avenue per
week. There were over one hundred and
my names on the last petition; besides, =
large number are in favor OF the road who
. did not sign for committee.
defeated because our petition was a weak
one, or was 1t because such pet tons are
I usually set aside O no, It was not that
neither was II because the people could not
STAND The expense, or because one of the
Z lawyers prompted few hundred Of iudif
ferent ones 10 sign a remon STRANGE. The
cause OF our defeat j. all 10 nut shell, yet
Z Will take few words 10 expr, IS it. Tn
fortunately for ibe Town, tract of land ly-
Ing between Western avenue and thu Brook
: road was some years since Purchased by q
nonresident Of the town for a summer re-
sort:-and still ii is occupied but a portion
Of the year. II will be remembered by
: those present al the hearing, that the pres
ent land owners made a sharp defense, set
) ling forth their especial rights, and claim
lne that nothing short OF Il majority of the
= voters of the town had right 10 ask for
the road, Notwithstanding The great advan-
ia2e il might be 10 a large number Of peo-
| pie. As do moi wish 10 make any person =
T al attacks, | will not attempt a repetition
e OF the testimony, but leave it for those W no
e | heard it TO make their own comments
e Such sentiments coming from the wealthy
often meet with popular favor; especially
Q when uttered by men OF education and poll
a ished manners. The land owners sought
the cooperation OF an element that suited
e them, aud with thai power combined with
r their own they were aLle 10 defeat the ask
= ed for improvement. If men moving In
+ the more humble walks of life had set up
e the same claim they would have been in
e formed that private interests should be sac
e rlEced for public good. 1t was shown be-
/ You'd doubt that the road was needed, and
1t was openly admitted by our selectmen
5 that The route was Il practicable one, aud
:. would eventually he built as necessity.
1 understand that birth and wealth convey
5 power, and that power day controls the
g destinies Of our country; but had sup
' posed in country Town like this, the COM
i mon people could DO heard, and 1 still be-
3 lieve they will be. Ii the rights Of minor
= tiles can he abridged by such sentiments
!. ana influences as were brought 10 bear Ia
= defeat the lold, l tremble for the safety OF
= our republican institutions. I will only
( add that il is long road that never turns,
5 hence those who are not high born, or ia
V"red with present wealth, may yet hope.
: Tic height of my ambition Is to help
beautfy and improve the town. !, with
d other men, have labored TO bring about
j public improvements, and still hope 10 dc
1 more 10 bring about those Improvement
+ which meet with many disbursement
l and with such bitter opposition. /, with
= of OF hers haVa In, a,O1 f,ftk