Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-06-14

Ihe locating survey IS progressing thllSihc-
! torly, and has resulted thus far, we under
stand in finding both the line and the cost
of construction quite rs favorable as was
anticipated. Besides week devoted to run
! ming various trial lines out Of Brattlcboro, a
good deal of time has necessarily been spent
in fitting the line carefully to the steep and
rugged slopes Of the hillsides on the cast side
of the river between Brattleboro and West
! Dummcrston and the result of this care and
study is seen in the very greatly improved
line which is found, as well as in the wonder
ful reduction in cost of construction, when
compared with any previously surveyed route.
1t has been time well spent beyond doubt
These initial difficulties having been sur
mounted. the work of locating the line will
doubtless progress much more rapidly here
after But rs special effort is being made to
run the line in all cases in the very best
place, both for the road itself and for the ac-
commodation of the business that will come
to it, much preliminary work, not usually be-
longing to a locating survey, has to be done,
which consumes time; but this extra time
and labor will doubtless be repaid manifold
in the improved line, the better accommoda-
ton of the public, and the diminished cost of
construction. The engineering work is UNI
questionably being conscientiously, carefully
and thoroughly well done
Only one obstacle now seems to stand in
the way of an early realization Of all our
hopes in regard to this enterprise; and that
obstacle is the greed of a portion of the land
owners along the line. While large MAORI
ty of them will doubtless deal fairly, and even
generously, with the company, there are UNI
mistakable indications that some of them, for
getting the great benefits they will receive in
the increased value of the remainder of their
lands, are already beginning to hedge, and
are bracing themselves up to the effort to eX-
tort the last possible dollar for right of way
through their premises. Now if this dispo-
sition prevails to any considerable extent it
cannot fail to very seriously delay and en-
barrass the enterprise. 1t will be remember
ed that, in all the estimates of the cost of the
road, no allowance was made for right of way,
it being generally assumed and believed that
this would be mainly donated, as has been the
practice elsewhere under similar circumstan-
ces; and in any cases where the damage should
prove exceptionally Cumbersome, that reason
able compensation would be made in the stock
of the company. 1t was further believed that
in cases of extreme difficulty, as is frequently
done, each town would undertake in some way
to arrange for and furnish the right of way
through its own territory, and thus relieve
the company, already overburdened of all
trouble and expense in that regard.
The fact is, the people of the West River
Valley, to save themselves and their property
| from utter decay and ruin, are trying to build
a serviceable railroad so cheaply as to come
within the means at their command and for
this purpose have been straining every nerve
TO raise the required sum of money, counting,
as they had q right to do, upon all interested
parties for hearty cooperation in the good
work Knowing that there is hardly farm
in the West River Valley through which this
road must pass, which will not be worth
much more money after its construction than
it is to-day, they have very reasonably as
sumed that these land owners, aside from
cases of exceptional hardship, would very
cordially welcome an enterprise which will dc
them so much good and freely and cheerful.
| ly give the right of way needed. We believe
they will do it, and that attempts to eXtort
unreasonable damages, (Which must of course
be finally settled by the award of the com
mssioners of the Court, will be exceptions
of rare occurrence, upon which an honest
public will frown, and not the general rule.
1t is safe to assume that every dollar of the
money provided and available will be requir
ed to build and equip the road, so that no con
siderable amount can be diverted from thi'
purpose without fatal consequences, unless
indeed, more money can be raised. Bu
where is 1t to come from? Can any one tell
If this were rich corporation, owned ant
controlled by, and to be run for the sole ben
eft Of distant capitalists, disregadmg local in
terests, there might be some show of excus,
for each land owner striving to get ms mucl
as possible out of them at the outset but ut
such facts and no such excuses exist here
This is a local. neighborhood enterprise, un
dertaken for the common good and protec
ton and to be secured mainly at the eNpens
of the very people to be benefited. There is
then, no apology for any man, who, sharing
largely in the advantages to be received, seek
to levy unjust tribute from such an enterprise
not for injuries done or to be done, but TO
actual benefits to be received. We trust al
land proprietors. in the West River Vale.
will give these matters careful consideration
and in arranging right of way with the com
pany, look at both sides of the question
While contemplating possible disadvantages
don't overlook greater benefits which tn
road is sure to bring to you.