Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-07-18

ture. The amount OF uesue ana PIE Drug
ing is now less than was shown on the original
plans and profile Oh which the work was let,
and on which all competing contractors bid.
And let me say right here that not "A single
change in location, or in any Of the plans OF
construction, has at any time been made,
either by the company or by the engineer, at
the request Of the contractors or for their
benefit. On the contrary, all such changes
thus far made while improving the road
have depleted the pockets Of the contractors.
I assert, knowing the import Of my words,
that the construction work so far ms complet-
ed land 1t will continue TO be Of the same
character in all essential particulars fully and
squarely meets all the requirements Of the
specifications and contract, and in several
very important particulars e. g., the masonry
and bridges the work is Of grade consider
ably higher and more expensive than the con-
tract calls for These are facts that no hon
est, intelligent man, familiar with railroad
construction, after proper examination, will
for moment dispute. The contract provides
in the usual way for It's own faithful enforce
ment, by requiring "all the work to be- done
h1NblhAAiH " NAAN lof hlNNAAANetANAAH s@AiNA lif
file and under the direction and to the full
satisfaction and acceptance Of the engineer
and also TO the acceptance Of the executive
committee. of the board of directors. To
suppose that the work will not be well and
properly done, as agreed it is first necessary
to assume, as Mr.. Davenport evidently does
that not only the contractor but the engineer
and executive committee also, are each and
all of them 'rascals" and "swindlers It
would suit Mr.. Davenport, beyond doubt to
boss this enterprise and SO strange it, as he
has been Indignantly striving to do, 10y all
means, fair or foul from the beginning but
fortunately the supervisory power has been
lodged in other and better hands.
g. Mr. Davenport. with others of his ilk.
seems il great distress lest the contractors
should realize profit out Of the construction
Of this road. and his wonderful estimate Of
it, cost which he Is careful to put Of upon
good judges, is among the widest Of his
crudities. Perhaps it may comfort him TO
know that the contrnctors with the assent of
the company, will promptly assign their con
tract. With al its belongings, over to him just
as it stand. Oh the production by him Of sat
isfactory security for the completion OF the
work IL quality and style. like what bas been
already done The contractor having some
knowledge Of the subject, have never deluded
themselve. with the belief that there was any
possible margin Of profit on this job to fairly
compensate thoIn for the risks incurred and
therefore, being still Of the same mind and
having business elsewhere that promises bet
ter returns, they will very cheerfuliy relin-
quish 10 Mr.. Davenport the mine Of wealth
he processes TO see IL it, 10 be released from
further responsibility II hc is honest 'heay-
en- save the mark ID meaning what he say,
his notorious greed for money viii surely
tempt him to a prompt acceptance Of this
! offer, which is made IL perfect good faith
:. 1t seems not inconsistent with Mr.. Dav-
exports nice sense Of the proprieties and de-
/ cencies Of life to broadly and publicly brand
d very large portion Of the bos, and most re-
| Apected men Of WiudLam county ~ deliber-
ate premeditated ''rascals and ''svlndlers;
and herein. il must be confessed. lies the only
really unanswerEble part Of ms indictment
for It is simply impossible that any man. hav-
/ ing the instincts and breeding Of gentle
man should meet and contend with him il
/ this his favorite style Of warfare. In this one
respect having a monopoly Of the weapons
used, such as they are, the victory is unques-
| tionably his and he il clearly entitled to
whatever advantages it may bring him. But
all his other essential charges are absolutely
and unqualifedly fAlse-fals IN general and
false in detail-and if Mr.. Davenport did not
know them to be false when he published
! them, then, with characteristic self-conceit,
he undertook to enlighten the public on
| o subject about which he himself is grossly
! ignorant Is. d. HARRIS
! Brattleboro July u, 1879