Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-03-16

leading speaker OF the evening. As was
anticipated, Judge Stoddard' remarks were
concise, pointed and direct, and his man.
uer was convincing, for the reason that he
so thoroughly believes in the project him.
SELF Among the leading points which he
touched on was an answer TO the argument
sometimes used by some Brattleboro PEG.
pie that this town now gets all the trade OF
the West river valley, so that the building
OF the road would be no advantage 10 our
people on that score. Judge Sloddard said
that it is not true that Brattleboro now gels
all this trade. During the past winter he
had seen freight go from his vicinity to
Bellows Falls, two TO one, all Of which ought
naturally to come to Brattleboro. The busi-
ness Of all the northern tier of towns in
this county properly belongs TO Brattle-
boro, but in the preseat lack of railroad ia
cilities it goes over the hills to Bellows
Falls and Chester and will continue to do
so until the need is supplied. Jamaica was
referred 10 as place Of unusual business
enterprise. A few years ago, in a sudden
revival OF business, several kinds Of man
ulactures were entered upon there her
natural resources were somewhat develop
ed aud discount and a savings bank were
established, but the place is now suffering
a decline, which nothing but railroad facil-
titles can possibly arrest. Judge Stoddard
also spoke of Londonderry as a naturally
| thriving town, which railroad would
quicker into renewed activity and whose
business, in case the road is built, will all
come to Brattleboro. In this connection
| 4, a.,
the line In Windsor county, was one Of the
best farming towns he knew Of. Her bust
ness, too, would come to Brattleboro If rail-
road facilities were supplied, and in that
case, she naturally belongs to US, she
would undoubtedly ask to be set off to
Windham county. lie referred with much
force, and with al evident understanding
| OF the matter, 10 the efforts which have
been made to dismember Windham coun-
ty, and which two years ago last fall were
nearly successful. As it is now the bust
ness aud general interests OF our northern
tier Of towns tend away from us, and un-
less this railroad is built to bind us togeth
err and the current Of trade thus thrown
where it belongs, our dismem berment is
only a question OF time. Judge Stoddard
spoke from his own knowledge and obser-
walton OF the quality OF the soil in the West
river valley, as well as OF the other natural
resources Of the region in the way OF lum-
Der, marble, limestone, ETC., and expressed
his belief that If this road was built we
should see upon its line a series OF towns
as populous, as busy and as energetic as
are those thriving railroad towns at vari-
Gus points in this vicinity, with which we
are all acquainted. He said he had regret
ted to see statements in some of the papers
that BrattlebOro's interest in this enterprise
was waning. He felt that II Brattleboro
looked at the matter Alright she would not
let the chance slip through her fingers, even
If she gave 100000 outright. He said that,
Whatever might be thought of the princi
pie, it had been established in Vermont
that towns might bond in aid of worthy
enterprises. If Bra'tleboro were to aid this
project as town to the extent talked Of
Sj0000-it would amount to the mere pit
lance OF per cent. on dollar Of the actu-
al real estate valuation OF the town, and he
did not believe there was person in town
who owned a foot or real estate who would
not gladly give per cent. OF its value to
have this road built 10 closing the speak
er referred in earnest terms TO the fact that
there can he no job hidden in the proposed
construction OF this railroad. The direc-
tors have all been chosen with sole regard
to their fitness for their position, and their
only aim will be TO get the very best road
that can be built for the money invested.
Judge Stoddard's address was listened to
with the closest attention to its end, and it
was evident that his remarks carried with
them marked force of conviction to every
person in the hall.
Col. L. X. Fuller was next called upon,
and responded by expressing his belief in
the narrow gauge system Of railroads, and
said he felt that in this system was to be
found the solution Of the railroad problem
for our mountainous region. He could
think OF no better illustration of the adapt
Utility OF cOmmon-g gauge roads for the
business required of them in this region,
as compared with the narrow-gauge, than
that OF "nrarie schooner by the side OF
light grocer's wagon for carrying parcels
aud running errands about our Streets He
hoped the road would be built.
]. NJ. Tyler, Esq, followed with remarks
upon Bratileboro's geographical limita-
lions on the East, South and North, aud
spoke Of the necessity of securing this
road in order to build up and develop the
West river valley, and as the only means
OF binding Us together as a county. He
thought the town should aid in lust one
way, and that was by bonding for the snm
asked which would amount to a sum OF
500 on the grand list.
Col. Hooker spoke in lively and face
tious vein, expressing his belief that the
Bratlleboro and Whitehall railroad would
benefit Brsttleboro more than all the other
towns on tho line put together, with the
exception OF Whitehall. Col. Haskins
spoke briefly, illustrating the growth and
advantages of railroad towns, and favorinE
aid on our part, as a town, to the enter
prise. Hon. b. d. Harris made state
ment of figures as to the cost to each lax
payer in Brattleboro, If $50. 900 were raised
by vote of the town, and the speaking
closed with few remarks from Col. S. NJ.
Waite, who deprecated all illusions, on q
previous occasion, to any personal animos-
tiles that were enormously supposed to
have been allowed 10 have an influence in
this matter, and said that it had been his
aim TO sink all personal feeling in an effort
to push forward a worthy enterprise. II
the town were 10 give its aid as a Town he
hoped it would be done in such a way that
we should realize that we were giving
somethi ing, and so As not TO entail burden
on posterity. He suggested that il should
be done by giving five notes, equal in
amount, one Of which should be payable