Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-09-19
Railroads, Telephones and Trees.

BE,rrLEnoE1 W.. sept 3D.
Editr FduHlr. Sir II beg You % al.
low m- little space tor calling attention To-
some abuses at our own doors illustrating al
offensive assumption on the part Of their
authors aud a tame submission on the part OF
their victims which IN my opinion should
come 10 al end speedily.
We ali remember the lucisiy- remark Of
Herbert Spencer on uis visit 60 TIL. country.
TO the effect that, With all their freedom
there were no people who. without resistance
or protect endure such gross iuvasions OF
private rights and public Interests rs the
Americans. IN 10 particular De- the remark
more true than when applied TO The conduct
OF great corporation How. with "a high
hand, our great railroad corporations nave
appropriated vast amounts OF the public
lands, have dehantiy discrimiuated against
the rights of the farmers on their lines. have
flooded the markets with illegal and value
less stocks and bonds, have corrupted courts
and Frustrated litigation 10 the rum OF thou
sands and the disgrace OF free institutions
until, IN many states, an aroused public opiu-
ion has caused tine creation of railroad CON
missions with large authority for redress-all
this Is well known. AermOut now needs such
commission. 1t should extend 70 telephone
we'll as railroad cOmpanies For many
years / was employed professionally by sew
era large railroad and other corporations. and
any bias / may have would naturally be in
their favor. Yet ! cannot /, state Ia say ing
that, IN no other country. has such iusoleut
and wanton aggression 10y great corporations
been tolerated as IN the United S.st-s and
IN no state more than in Vermont Il Is not
creditable 10 our people that th-y have for
so long time so tamely AMI 20 ue-dies-ly
submitted. 1t is not. hovever, Of such lsrg.
aggressions that ! nov wish 90 speak but OF
offences Of smaller aud meiner, though not
less eXasperatIng kind, against private right
and public taste and decency before our own
eyes here in BTatteboro and It's vicinity ]
90 not write this because It is agreeable to
me 10 do so. but because / think Il a duty.
ana because ! trust there Is taste, spirit and
courage enough In this community TO resist
an insult by corporation aud 20 stand more
rtsOlutely for the rights aud dignity of the
people If attention Is fully drawn to the sub
lect.
The fact that, for a long time, ramshackle,
dirty railroad station outbuidiugs and
grounds-the very worst and shabbyist for
such a town, perhaps, to be found m the In
ion-was, without any protest / have heard
Of, allowed to deform and disgrace this beau
tltul village, and make every passer.by re-
gard 1t as the most uulnyIung place of resi-
dence IN the Connecticut valley. does not
o.
against the arrogant pretensions, ueglrct-
and pillAges of ITS local railroad and tele-
phone companies. But that tame aud dis.
creditable submission has unquestionably en-
boldened the companies for new offences and
negleets.
The abuse that / now propose 10 deal with
is the needless mutation aud destruction Of
trees by these corporation, II this can be
stopped We eau then consider what better
measure of cleanliness, taste and ornament
about the railroad station and adjacent
grounds is due to our people, and what con-
tribution they ought 10 make for securing H.
The growing of more aud more fine trees
and shrubs about the laTmhouses and espe-
cially along the roadsides mark an improving
taste and higher sense OF public duty. The
increased comfort that they give 10 rural life
is but the least part Of their utility. They
belp not only TO refine the taste and 70 make
the country more attractive, but they add
stronger elements TO the love and pleasant
memories Of the family home, when with
ms are unfortunately feeble In "a state like
Vermont IN which the lands. while becoming
loss valuable for agriculture, are becoming
more valuable and more sought for as sun
mtr residences DY the tens of thou sands who
Zee from the cities IN the hot season. even
tue mere meIcenary spirit may see gain IN
whatever makes the country more enjoyable
and attractive. hue line OF trees along the
roads or grounds or a grove Of elms, maplesor
pines near the tarmhousea may bring purehas-