Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-18
OUR WILMINGTON RAILROAD.

MCsyS. Edit0yS: trust you will allow me
a short spnco in your columns for the purpose
of again bringing before the public the sub
ject OF the Brattleboro IL Bennington railroad.
When the project Of q railroad from Brattle.
boro to Wilmington was first talked Of, l boz
lioved in Il. l still have faith that II will DO
built. While hundreds Of miles Of narrow
gauge railroad nre being built all over the
country, where grades are heavier and routes
moro difficult than this would be, cannot
believe the people Of Brattleboro will refuse
aid to 30 noble O work. Through all the set
backs Of the enterprise l have fully believed
that our people would finally see the necessity
for pushing forward the work, and that all tho
differences Of opinion would DO harmonzed
and the great value of the enterprise felt,
when fully undorstood. l believed opposing
elements would yield to facts which prove
oonolusively that the advantages TO be derived
from the road would be too great to be ignor-
cd. do not yet believe our people will take
30 dangerous step backward.
The late decision of the supreme court in
regard TO our former votes seemed to satisfy
portion of our people yet not so much on
account Of their opposition to the road, l
think az because of certain other questions
and points in the case. believe it to DO q
fact that those who acted against the friends
of the road in this matter are really friends to
Nut tultIpTlhb uuu Wllllnk 10 NOLB lOWll ulu us
before do not believe they are SO blind to
their own interest and to the welfare of fu.
ture generations as to 60 against the project
hence believe We may be sure Of their aid
in q cause which will benefit our town and tho
whole county. II is important that we should
all come together and in a friendly manner
consider the best interests of this community
and the best way to push forward the work.
Let US act as becomes an Intelligent people,
and, dropping oil personal prejudicos and dis
likes oil party strife, act for the best good Of
the great whole.
believe in the project because facts sup
port me, and believe any man who will give
the subject thorough and candid consideration
will admit the necessity and advantages Of the
road, and that much is to be gained at a com
parativcy triiliug expense. No argument
would seem necessary to convince any one
that railroads have been the most potent ele-
ment in developing the resources Of our coun-
try, and no people ought to realize ii more
fully than those in this part of our state; aud
it puzzles me to understand how any convinc-
ing argument can be made to this intelligent
people TO induce them to go against their own
interests. 1 shall not now attempt TO show
the great advantages Of the enterprise, since
they have been proved beyond n doubt. The
great question is How shall we harmonic
the different views as to the best course TO
pursue The people want the road Now
for concert Of action on some plan that will
secure it, 1t is useless to talk of u subscrip-
ton, for that is entirely out of the question.
No ono can expect road of this kind to be
built in any other way than by bonding. Aud
how could it be done more equally? II it is
to benefit the whole community, why should
not every tax payer composing it pay in pro-
portion to his listi II is a local enterprise,
and not great through line. A former state
ment concerning the tax burden that would be
incurred in building this road showed how
very light it would be for IL large majority OF
the people. II objection is made to the old
board of managers, the stockholders should
mako it known to them, and they will oil TO
tire cheerfully, as 1t is the road they want not
Office. Tho president of the company would
be willing to work anywhere in the ranks,
even to handling the shovel, if by so doing
the road could be built. II the objection is
raised that the building of the Wilmington
division would not insure another line TO
South Vernon, would ask those who raise it
to consider all the facts in connection with
their demand, and believe they will como to
different conclusions on the subject az factg
clearly understood will show them that the
situation is not just as they have understood
it. Unjust be remembered that great through
| lines of railroad would not run as competi-
D
had another line to South Vernon, and also
that railroad companies do not run counter to
their own interests to accommodate little vii
| lagos or individuals. They do not ask how
much the people will pay; they simply recon
! cile their little differences and do what is
| equivalent to pooling their earnings. An in.
stance is not known in the history of railroads
! where two ten-mile lines Of railroad run as
competitors Thoy can do better, as any one
! ,-,tI u 4
another line out, undoubtedly but it is not
at all probable that we could make our own
tariffs in and out of Brattleboro, even with
another line to South Vernon. The only re-
! suit would be change Of masters. As our vote
stood, without condition, We had some chance
| for another line, since neither road wished the
other to have the Bratteboro K Bennington
! line, and our chances would have been tho
| same as the West River road had. II the
vote to aid that road had been hampered with
this condition there would have been but one
party for them to negotiate with, and as a re-
suit Tie rails tcOuld ReUer haze BEEN laid 10 ia
mdicd. Knowing this to be a fact claim
that our only chance for another railroad out
| lot is in an unconditional vote. Then, If the
| people have not confidence in the present
board of directors, let them put in new ones
Our great danger lies in the failure to I'M
derstand the real facts of the case and the sit
uation as it really is. 1t is the Wilmington
road we want and so much need. Now, fell
low townsmen, ask you to look this subject
squarely in the face and consider well all its
bearings. We cannot afford to let this golden
| opportunity pass. Let US be united in the
work, and come forward with renewed strength
and show the neighboring towns that we want
their society, and are willing TO put our shout
der to the wheel TO help them to help US. Let
the people devise the best plan possible. II
there is a better way to accomplish the desir-
ed object than has yet been thought of, let us
find it out and act accordingly. Our Whining
ton friends have shown their hand, and they
ask us to assist them to the Same advantages
we row enjoy. Shall We put up the bars
against them by refusing our aid 1t cannot
be that we shall act so unwisely.
have made many efforts to get PROPOSE
tons from the different companies as to what
they would do or promise us in the way of
substantial aid and all the facts in regard to
the matter will be made known at the coming
meeting. We thought of calling mass meet
ing Immediately after the adverse decision
of the supreme court was received, in order
TO lay before the people the facts in connec-
ton with the case and to ask instruction; but,
having been promised further and more def
mite propositions from the southern line, we
concluded to wait for the same. There seems
to be great delay in their movements, howev-
er, and much time has been wasted, but it is
now believed that some sort of decision will
soon be reached, and a mass meeting will then
be called, at which a report will be made con-
corning the matter. We trust the facts then
made known in regard to the enterprise will
warrant the calling at no distant day, of a
town meeting to act upon the question. With
great respect for the people of Windham
county, and wishing TO help perpetuate the
prosperity of this my native town, l remain,
EDWARD CROSBY.
Last week Thursday was the date set for
| the Keely motor 10 noaiLiyeIv uote Tho on