Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-05-30

A railroad Letter from mr.. orO.D

IDnQ people 10 tUuNluuh AAAuA AAAN hAAAAlAAAe ~
ports given relative TO the preliminary sur
vey. etc we're forgotten or the writer Of the
article ignored facts given as not entitled TO
credit. As 10 the facts which ] gave cover.
ing the survey and the statements of Chief
Engineer Mitchell, which he made before the
directors, /. will ask the people to review
them. The map and profile were exhibited
at the town hall last Saturday evening and
are now at my office, where they may be ex-
amined. The first survey was made under
great difficulties, as Mr.. Mitchell was unac-
quainted with the country and his time was
limited. He claimed that some improvements
could be made both in grades and distance,
yet he considered bis survey accurate. The
map and profile OF his survey we're made
with great care and expense and show the eX-
act grades, distance, etc Mr. Mitchell, the
chief engineer, stated before the directors
that the route was feasible one and indeed
a very favorable one.
The second survey was correction OF the
first only over important sections. 1t was
made by A. c. Buttrick Of Worcester, who
has had large experience in building narrow
gauge railroads. His report also published,
which showed a shortening up Of the line
without making the grades Objectionable.
He pronounced the line perfectly practicable
with favorable grades, and comparatively an
easy road TO construct. The report can be
examined at my office. Any statement have
ever made relative to the preliminary sur
veys can be fully sustained, showing facts
more reliable than fiction.
The statement made that Wilmington only
subscribed $4,000 was no doubt as near the
facts as the other statements. 1t is well
known that Wilmington, with only about
one-sixth as many inhabitants as BrRtte-
boro, offers and has actually raised more
than three-fourths the amount Of money that
Brattleboro is asked to raise. This shows
how anxious Wilmington people are to come
TO our town, and it also shows their faith In
the enterprise and in their resources. They
do not want to be compelled to 60 ten miles
by horse power to Readsboro forever. They
are ready to do all in their power and they
cannot yet believe that Brattleboro people
are going to withhold their aid to so
important work. East Nottingham is good
for Sl2, 600, and the other towns will no
doubt respond literally.
Now / will take the liberty to state certain
undeniable facts in relation to this enterprise
which the people of Brattleboro will please
consider
First, it is q fact that our town was built up
by the help of the surrounding towns. Our
location was favorable for centre, our town
became a live one on account of it, and 1t
made a steady and healthy growth even be-
fore much manufacturing was done
Second it is fact that or growth and
prosperity still depend largely upon the thrift
and business of the back towns. If the back
| towns run down the effect on our town will
be seriously felt. Our town has been pract-
cally the pivot town of the county in years
| gone by-few Of the country towns going to
! other states to trade. Much is said about our
| town being burdened with heavy taxes. Well,
|. allow it, But it is a fact that we have a light
Indebtedness hanging over us compared to
our valuation and there are few towns where
! the taxes are as light as ours, compared to
| our advantages and receipts We have our
town house, we have our school house, some
money invested in the old Vt. x Mass. rail
road, some in the West river road, all OF
which will help the next generation. Why Is
! there so much said about DUR little debts :
| We have the value right before our eyes In
| fact we have it right in hand, and our chill
dren may possibly thank us for doing the
work, but do not believe they will thank us
| if we do not do all We can to build up and
| improve the town and county. How much
| happier should we be as a town or individu-
ais if we were out of debt?
! Suppose we had chance to get back all
the money the town has paid out for i'm
| provements and in exchange give them up
would it be wise to do itY 1 do not believe
man can be found that would be willing 10
cut off single railroad that comes into town,
even if this terrible town debt could be paid
with the proceeds What kind of a town
would this be if all our public improvements
were given up, even If we owed nothing
Now the amount asked for this Wilmington
railroad is SO very light that it does not seem
| possible that any one can go against the en-
| m small a nittanrR
When we figure out the little that each one
of us would have to pay to help on this great
public enterprise, 1t is plain we cannot AFFORD
| to throw our influence against the work. II
| necessary we would smoke little less 60 to
Chesterfield lake once less, go to shows and
! skating rink once or twice less, to meet the
! small tax that would help the whole commun
! ity so much, especially our neighbors
Friends think of it. Take a broad view Of
the subject Let US work as did the fathers
| of revolutionary time for the generations tc
come after them. If it does not accord with
certain ones principles to bond, ask what
is the real substance of principle that for
bids them to help make public improvement
that will benefit their felowmen and helE
them to such comforts and advantages al
they themselves enjoy. Town aid is not
asked for TO benefit few, but it is asked for
to help local enterprise which is sure to
benefit every one. Presidents prove this
statement. Now if it is to benefit this com
munity generally, why is it not as just and
right for the town to lend its aid as it is fol-
it to build common roads or make other i'm.
provements When men talk no bond they
of course mean no railroad If the towns
will take hold in earnest and pledge a certain
amount with condition that the railroad shall
be put under contract TO be finished anc
/ IL. 7 -
doubt that parties can be found who will TAXI
our bonds and furnish the road in tip-toI
shape In fact l have the best assuranc,
from good and responsible parties that it car
be done.
The different roads composing the Contra
and Connecticut River line have now such al
understanding that l am authorized 10 say
that there are no grievances between them
hence there is no disposition to fight or ever
to challenge one. These are facts withou
color as / know from what have learned il
the last two months rs to the actual state o.
this matter But with all this both road
promise to do all for us that can be reasona
bly, asked of them relative to better rates o.
freight
Fellow citizens, now ask you to candidly
consider all the facts and ask yourselves if i
is not dangerous for us to let this opportunity
for helping our town and our whole commu
nifty pass, and think you will see the neces
sity of lending your aid in helping forward 81
noble work which must benefit not only
this but future generations. This is not
visionary project it can be fully demonstrR
ted that there will be ample business for thu
road. The narrow gauge system of railroads
all over the west fully proves their chespnesl
and utility. The Denver d Rio GTande mar
row-gRuge runs over grades of 900 feet to the
mile and almost as crooked as they are steep
The modern style of making their engine
give them great strength and power and pu
the grade of 100 TO $50 feet to the mile of lit
tie consequence over q steel rail Now is tn,
time to help our neighbors and ourselves a
the same time. EDWARD CROSBY.
Figures From Col. Fuller.
BRATTLEBORo W. May %, 's4.