Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-02-01

BrattieBoro's mistake.


Let every candid man reflect for moment
and then answer this question did Brattlo-
boro at its town meeting holden last Saturday
make a mistake in refusing to vote the aid
asked for the construction Of railroad from
hereto South Londonderry - II a mistake has
been made then the town should proceed to
set herself right at the earliest day practical
be Concedc for the sake Of argument that
the building Of this road would not tend to the
dirtct benefit and advantage Of but minori-
ty Of our population. Is it not true that in
all matters pertaining to internal improve
ments and the development OF the material
resources Of any community, tina, il respec-
table minority are dirccHg benefited, then the
majority must receive benefits and advantages
indirectly resulting to them therefrom? IT,
then, the opening up of the West River val
ley to an easy and ready communication with
the East village Of Brattleboro, and thereby
creating \ more extensive field Of trade re-
sulting in the production of greater bust
ness activity among MS, then the people in ev-
cry other portion of the town are indirectly
benefited to greater or less extent II is
plain thnt such results as must necessarily fol-
low to MS, as a town. in the opening up of
this country cannot prove a damage to any
body, and if not damage, then it must be Il
benefit and advantage to ALTO some of
course more than to others. Every farmer
and aboring man in town would most GER
tainly deplore the existence of q state of cir
cumstances that would in any manner tend to
retard the growth and business interests Of
the East village. and should rejoice and gladly
welcome. and be willing to aid in any enter
prise tending to increase its growth or to in
sure its business prosperity and future stabil-
ity. viii it be denied that when the East
village, which already embraces two-thrds of
the population and grand list Of the whole
town, is in thriving and growing condition,
that the other portions Of the town do not
thrive in a just, if not an equal ratio? Such
certainly is the rule and not the exception in
all communities.
Now let u.s. laying aside all i,alouses and
personal animosities, and all other considera.
tions but that Of business reason together as
have reasoned with myself. from a certain
state of facts which cannot be controyerted.
The natural outlet of the towns lying along
the West river and near thereunto. viz.
Dummcrs;on. Newfane, Brooklino, Wardsboro.
rownshend, Stmtton, Jamaica, and a portion
of Grafton. Windham and Londonderry. is the
town Of Bmttleboro. That of Weston Ando-
Yer, Peru, Landgove. Wiuhall. and por.
ton Of Londonderry. Windham and Grafton
is the town Of Chester on the Rutland & Bur
lington railroad. That all these towns might
produce tifty-fold more of light and passen-
ger traffic than they now do had they rail
road facilities, every one acquainted with those
towns and their natural resources will not pre-
tend to question. Chester las IA popu-
lat!on Of some 200. and il a smart thriving
town. with fifteen stores well patronized and
well sustained. Now what supports them:
Certainly not the 1900 Of her own population
that is impossible. Not the towns of Cav
endsh and Ludlow, for they have railroad fa-
cilities and thriving villages Of their own. and
are withal prosperous towns. II cannot be
the town of Baltimore with her l2O iuhabit-
ants. Beyond this latter town on the north.
the country slopes into the valley of the Con-
nectcut with Springfield as its principal base.
Their support then comes principally from
the towns Of Andoytr. Weston Windham,
Grafton Londonderry, Landgrove, Peru and
Winhall which. with their G3OO inhabitants.
give to Chester n business represented, with
their own, by a population of nearly $500
souls Ride over the road from Chester to
Londonderry and you will meet with a cara
van of teams, such as may be seen on any
pleasant day running between Brattleboro
and Townshcnd Now. then, let a railroad
b. built from Brattleboro to Londonderry.
and a branch from thence to Weston. which
that town will build themselves. what direc-
ton would the tide of traffic then take Is
there man 80 blind that he cannot see that
Brattleboro would not only retain what she
now has. together with an increased amount
from the same towns. but the entire business
from the towns named as now going to Ches-
ter with perhaps the exception of the small
town Of Andoycr) would be turned down the
West River valley into Bra,tleboro. together
with corresponding increase Of business
which railroad facilities would enable them to
furnish; Will any reasonable, urprejudiced
mind declare that such an increased amount
Of business coming to us and represented by
as goodly population as the State anywhere
affords, would not be benefit to the whole
town; The $50, 900 the town was asked to
to be paid in ten annual install
ments, would hardly be felt when compared
with the benefits resulting directly and indi-
rectly from the increased amount of trade and
business, to say nothing of many other bene-
fits which might be mentioned. which the
building of this road would surely bring to us.
The benefits would more than ten-fold repay
the expenditure should the whole so. 900 be
paid without obtaining any interest in the
road to show for it, which in this instance is
not the case. 1t should be remembered that
the road is not to be constructed for a single
years operation, but for long series of years
If men have voted against this enterprise
without fully understanding it in all its bear
ings, they should at once investigate the sub
ject so that if a mistake has been made, it
may be corrected before it is too late Who
cares whose horn is TO be exalted-whethcr
it be that of Col. Waite B. d. Harris or Dea-
con Estey? On all matters concerning the
public veal every man should act so that he
can say Il have been true to myself and my
own conscience, there all the honor lies.
III.
From Jamaica.
JAMkICA Ian oS 1873