Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-02-12
Burlington and Lam0ille Railroad.
wHsTFORD HEARD IRON.
WEsTFORD. Feb. 5. /

WEsrroRD, Feb. s. 1875
To the Editor of the Free Press and Times.
Noticing an article or two in your paper
lately in regard to the Burlington and La
noble Railroad. wish to notice few
statements contained therein. "Citizen"
says it is a mile farther via Westford and
Fairfax, consequently it could be built
cheaper via Fairfax.
Now let US have the facts. When Mr..
Hale made the last survey here and con-
nected with previous surveys, Mr.. Hale
made the remark that it was nearly q mile
nearer by Fairfax Falls than by Jericho.
Now we understand that the last survey by
Jericho in making the curves has increased
the distance nearly two miles more. This
being the case it would make three miles
farther by Jericho than by Fairfax Falls,
and according to Right Tracks" estimate
ninety thousand dollars more to build the
road through Jericho than by Westford and
Fairfax.
Now one word in regard to the attempted
slur of Right Track" upon Westford.
We al ways considered when man had no
argument in his favor the only way to get
out was to attempt to slur his equals.
His theory Of blue clay and quick sand"
in Westford, simply shows his ignorance
of our soil, for it cannot be found on this
route. We will admit that Jericho is
town Of wealth and influence in fact, if
| Westlord was not in the same cosnty, We
would admit j. they claimed it that Jericho
was the only town in the county; but as
long as we still live and have our being in
the same county We must insist that Essex
is still here, too; and although your Jericho
correspondent offers them good advice, we
| think they can neither be driven nor bullied
very much. And then. again, there are sew
eral other towns in the county, almost as
large as Jericho. Your Jericho CORES
pendent is speaking of Westiord. says
And a mutual Indifference to ell public
| improvements :" but as in the same article
he says, We d" are in solemn earnest about
the matter. it looks as though he was as
much in the log as he was when he made the
statement about the grade of the two routes,
He admits their grade TO be sixty-one or
two fee: to the mile (and they have not got
/ GOUq 10 Cambridge, either while ours will
not exceed five or ten feet per mile. lie says
ours Is not vouched for by any careful
survey. This is almost too absurd TO need
a reply, bat | will simply say We have q
survey and a profile Of tho same, and
Messrs. Linsley and Hale promised Us q
report, 50 We could have it pu blished bat
from some cause We have failed to get it. But
will make this statement and if not correct
should be glad to be corrected, that in no
case from Essex Centre to Cambridge will
our grade eIoesi ten feet 10 he mile and the
ground being level there will be no necet
sity for curves to lengthen the distance this
way and we are quite certain it could be
made three miles nearer than by Jericho.
Your correspondent says unfortunate tolons
are n solemn earnest We are in earnest,
and if the time ever comes when the Com
pany wants our help, giving Us suitable
guarantees on their part they will find that
Westlord not only will raise three times its
grand list as did Jericho, but Sal times our
grand list, notwithstanding Right Track :
record of our town. Your correspondent
further adds that an o9er-ruling Providence
seems to be directing the enterprise. We had
thought they supposed Jericho was the
ruling spirit in the matter. and that the
road would be built that way even If It cost
q million dollars more to build it, and FIVE
hundred dollars per day to run it but II
they viii admit that Providence has any
thing to DO with it We shall certainly still
have hope, and think your Jericho CORES
pendent need no longer cry because he ha:
the biggest piece. y.