Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-07-18
BRA TTLEBORO d WHITEHALL
RAILROAD.


Statement from, the Directors.
Serious charges against the management Of
the affairs Of the Brattleboro a Whitehall
railroad having been published in the last
number Of the Windham County Beformer
over the signature Of &C. N. D." supposed
to be Chas. n. Davenport we deem it proper.
to make a brief statement.
We know Of no assurances having been
given that the road should be located into
Brattlcboro via Centrevillo and Esteyville.
The only promise given wRs-that before any
final location was made, a careful oxamina-
ton Of all possible lines should be made,
which was faithfully done, especially in con
nection with the Centrcville and Esteyvillo
line and That line was found 10 be wholly i'm
practicable The present location was finally
decided upon, after all the facts had been as
certained, by n unanimous vote Of the board
Of directors
A contract has been made with the Yer
mont Valley Railroad Company, on very ia
vorable terms in our opinion, by which an
iHdependeHt line into the present depot
grounds at Brattleboro, without let or hin
drance, has been secured for the term OF
ninety-nine years. The line rs finally locat-
ed was considered by us to be SO much better
than any other as to justify the slightly in
creased cost attending it.
Tie cost Of the lrLole right of way, includ-
ing the sum awarded to H. bradley, will but
little if any, exceed $4,000, so that the
charge that the land damages have been in
creased from Sl2,OOO to $4,000 by the
change Of location is absurd. Ii is doubtful
even II they were increased at all.
The ties that are 10 be used are such as the
original specifications called for, and while
not the best in use in all respects, they are
the best that can be obtninod along the limo Of
| the road quite large number being oak
! The company il this spect, as in some 9th
err, being limited il means have contracted
for the best they have the money to pay for
| Steel rails iron bridges and other expensive
forms Of construction are desirable but this
company are not able topay for such, and hence
must be content to get what other good and
| ,relLmaHdgod roads all about us have found
/ sufficient
As to the assertion that good judges say
{ that $50, 900 will build aud equip better
railroad than We now have IL prospect" We
would simply say that the rails, already bought
| at u very favorable price, together with the
/ equipment also bought and nearly ready for
! delivery, amount to over sg5, 600, while the
casL already paid for material ia large portion
/ Of it to tax payers il the county amounts to
over 81, 600 or il all to about Sl43 600 to
say nothing Of work already completed on the
road-bed and masonry. showing couclusively
| the falsity OF such a statement
A. regards the construction work We are
assured by our ,agiueer in charge, whose rep
utatiou Us u man and an engineer is beyond
reproach and our own observation couyinces
us that the WORK il being fairly and honestly
/ done, according to contract, and that the CON-
pauy are getting 'all and fair equivalent for
/ every dollar paid out. Tho contractors have
asked for no coLe, ssions and have shown no
/ disposition whatever to evade strict compli-
ance with Heterogeneous. They are pushing
the work with marked energy and skill which
/ promise the completion Of the entire work
within the time and in the manner BET forth
il their contract, and all reflections upon them
or their work are entirely unjust All bills
are promptly paid monthly, and so far a. We
know the tar payers who were il favor Of
having the railroad at all. are satisfied with
| IL progress thus far.
Noae of the directors have resigned nor
has any intimation of such action been made
known to the officers of the company
To so much Of Mr.. Dsvonport's charges as
impeach our personal motives and integrity
i'll advocating and managing this enterprise
We decline to reply.
Sill, G, f. THOMPSON,
7. GooDHUK.
j. J.. MARTIS.
A. SToDDARD,
A. B. BAILEY
MM. HARRIS, JE..
j. W. METIENDy
A. T. GRAHAM,
A. J DEXTER
IDirectOrs