The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-09-14

or in consequence of them, are what gave
Rutland her prosperity. The railroads
alone, aside from the shops connected
herewith, would not have added an hun
dred men to the population of Rutland.
Docs this need argument to prove itS
What Is there in railroad, in and of
itself, to build up Il town. Why should
the mere construction of railroad, and
the simple running of trains thereon, add
TO the population Of village or town
You can almost count on your fingers the
number of men connected with the run
ming of trains who would necessarily, or
naturally, reside here. Take the three
roads, centering here, and count up the
conductors, engineers, firemen, baggage
masters and brakemen-and how many are
there of them who would make Rutland
their home If the trains simply run
through tho town. How many, with
their families all told, would have been
added to the population of Rutland on this
account? BY looking at Pittsford, Bran
don, Castleton, Walingford Middlebury,
etc, etc, we see that the mere passage of
one or more railroads through town or
village does net add materially to its popu-
lation. 1t may, and does, add to the value
of its property in a limited degree and to the
convenience Of its inhabitants, but its eff
feet ia to drive off business. We need not
stop to enquire why it does so-the fact is
patent. Experience demonstrates it. If,
however, railroads center at a given place,
and manufacturing establishments take ad-
vantage of the means Of transportation
thereby afforded, then growth and prosper
ity follow. Such has been the experience
of Rutland 1t may sound paradoxical,
but it Is true that railroads have not built
up Rutland, yet Rutland would not have
been built up without railroads.
But whether our prosperity has been due
to railroads or other causes, it is evident
that of themselves, they have done all that
they can do for us. 1t is further evident,
aud has been for years, that the manufac
turing incidental to these railroads and TO
the production of marble has reached its
eliminating point. Ii has been, for some
time, mooted question whether Rutland
was at a standstill or wa, going,baekward ?
However this may have been in the immc-
date past, We all know--for experience
everywhere shows it--that business cannot
long remain alta standstill; it must either
90 forward or backward According to
all human experience, Rutland cannot re-
main rs it lie. 1t must either advance in
business in population, in wealth and in
general prosperity, or it must retrogradc.
Which shall it be ?
If we do not help ourselves, others will
not help US. We cannot sit quietly down
and expect business to come to US. A mer-
chant, either in the city or country, does
not expect to increase his business merely
because he has the best goods. He makes
his wares known. He invites custom. He
holds out inducements to customers and
the greater the Inducements he holds out,
the greater returns does he receive. In
this way he builds up a business, and com
mands prosperity. So it is with towns.
We must seek business. We must make
our advantages known. We must hold out
inducements TO manufacturing establish
ments. We must do as the New York
merchant does-drum up customers. Ev-
cry town which has succeeded has taken
this course. New York city has taken,
and 10 continually taking, this conrse. Sc
/ tac nj 10 RpctS, Troy A lhanu Wnrppc
ter, Hoyoke, Lawrence, Hartford, Detroit,
Chicago, st. Paul and st. Louis. Their
growth, year by year, shows why they
DO it.
To bring the matter home 10 Rutland.
The point has now been reached when Rut-
land must take "new departure In
which direction shall it be? If We pursue
the same course which has marked us OF
late years, then We take the backward step
Rutland begins TO go down hill and no one
can forc,ell when or where her downward
course can be stayed, If we grasp the op
portunty now presented to us for obtain
don manufacturing company here, then W.
take a new departure in the right direction
Ilenceforth the course of Rutland will b.
onward and upward. We can secure thes,
shops if we will, and with them will com,
increased business, an increased value o.
: real estate, increased wealth, increased pop
ulation, increased demand for labor, in
creased wages, decreased taxes, and gen
eral prosperity. Is it not worth maxim!
an effort for The future prosperity o
Rutland depends upon the prompt actiol
Of her citizens. Now is the accepte,
p " time; behold, now is the day Of ealva
h" ton"