Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-01-19
BR1TTLEBORO d BENNINGTON
RAILROAD.

TIT QUESTION OF TOWN AID TO RAILROADS
THE DUTY OF TEE PEOPLE TOWARD THIS NEW
ENTERPRISE.
Less than ten months have passed since
the subject of railroad to Wilmington was
first agitated. From that time much interest
has been taken in the enterprise A charter
has been obtained and the required amount
Of stock has been taken to organize a railroad
company. The stockholders have chosen
! their directors, expecting the work to be push
! ed forward in the best manner. The direct
ors, in accepting the Office, have virtually
pledged their honor to do all in their power
to forward this great and important enter
prise. II is true the work to be done is diff
cult and somewhat complicated, and will need
close attention and much labor but with the
assistance of the whole people the success of
the enterprise is beyond doubt. II is a
work for the people, and by their hearty co.
operation can be made sure and comparative
/ ly easy. II the people are Indifferent, what
can the directors do If they say, we want
the road, it can be built and win be- The
question Of bonding is now the all important
one, and 1t would hardly seem possible that
/ au individual could be found in this commun-
ity, that would object to rendering aid to so
important work. As to tho justice of bond
ing do not see why it is not all equitable
and fair, from the fact that the building Of n
railroad for IL local business and to tho towns
remote from the trunk lines is for the good
and advantage Of tho great whole. II is to
help the towns, it is to develop new resources,
and TO increase the wealth and comfort of
every individual in the community 1t has
never been thought unjust or arbitrary for
towns to tax the people for general improve
ments, like building roads, bridges, school
houses and the like. This was considered
/ necessary TO keep the town in a prosperous
condition and no one thought of saying aught
against it, It long since became apparent to
many that towns should have the right to
bond for a railroad thinking it as just and
consistent for the people to help build rail
/ road for their own advantage and convenience
/ as to build common highway. 1t finally be-
came law that, under certain conditions
towns may bond to help build a railroad
/ Great good has resulted from the act. At
/ the same time it may be true that some towns
have bonded TO help some great railroad com
pauy or some through line, or for some road
! remote from their town where the action has
| proved unwise; but this has nothing to do
with our enterprise, which is strictly for a
local business. The town is yet to be heard
from, that was formerly remote from rail
/ road and that now has one, that is not as a
town, benefited as much AS by any other i'm
/ proyement made in the town. For the towns
remote from railroads their only salvation is
to bond. II they say no bond, they say no
railroad. Now is it not clear that it is as Just
and equal for towns to bond for railroad for
their own convenience and comfort us it is to
assess tax and raise money for any other
/ town Improvement: In fact, is il not AS
much more important, the advantages TO
/ be derived are greater
This being admitted the question comes
up, viii it pay; The condition of our coun-
try tine history Of the past, the precedent of
what railroads have done for towns and com.
munities, justify US in saying yes. il will pay.
| The advantage the comfort the luxury of
local railroad to towns now remote will be
more than can be told. 1t does not require
any stretch OF imagination to forecast what
the results must be. Facts aud figures rea.
tive to other towns do not lie hence | will
not attempt IN this communication to show
the great advantages of railroads to towns
that were once without them. No one can
possibly fatter himself at this late day that
towns and communities are better of without
railroad than with one. Nov, how can rail.
roads be built? In no possible way can
railroad company be induced TO start and
build railroad 20 benefit a local business,
from the fact that tie investment would not
pay, aud the company would not get the COM
pensatiou in any way that the people living
IN thosa towns would. from the increased
Nalut OF tLclr farms mills and SuODs III lArrp
railroad companies cannot be induced 10
build feeders to the main lines, who will build
them if the towns do not? II canuot he ak.
pected that few individuals will undertake
so great u work for the public without the
cooperation Of those who are to be benefited
and profit d Dy it. 1t cannot be any induce.
ment for man t. take stock simply for the
prospective interest that il NAV nav but look.
ing for the profit to come in another wav lie
In ~. in common with others, nee it best to
take stock to give the work a start. and NAV
see tho strongest reasons why histown should
/ bond to carry forward so inlIortanf an er-,cr.
Prise.
There is no doubt but every dollar the towns
put into a railroad of this kind will b. re.
turned to them fourfold An are equally
benefited Just in proportion TO tn. interest
they have in the town. The man who owns
a farm or mill from one to five mills from,
the depot must feel the benefit of II as he
can make from two to four trims nar d.,v
whereas he could make but one if iron, TN
to twenty miles to thedepot The eytrs cost
would more than cat mn Inc prJit and T. .v.
the timber valuel,ss The tariff on liri r