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

AT the adjourned railroad meeting held at the town
han last Saturday evening, the maps based upon the
os'siu.l snINey oy Mr.. Mitchell and prepared by one
OF ms assistants were displayed for the examination
al al interested aud explained by President Crosby
As surveyed by Mitchell the route 30 miles in
length with grade rarely exceeding 100 feet to the
mile but in one place reaching 40 feet subsea uent-
y anOther survey or partial survey made hy Mr..
Buttrick Of Worcester by which the distance was
shortened TO about 2s miles with grade moi mater
ally different from that previously obtained tbough
I2r short distance rising to nearly $50 feet per mile
Mt. Crosby then repeated some facts which he had
stated at the previous meeting in regard - lie
amount OF money which it necessary for Bruttle
poro 70 raise IN order to secure the road He had re-
eeiyed propositions from several responsible partie
who stand ready to build the road when the TOW M
sHAi, nay, eonpleea the necessary steps, What Is
asked OF the town Is 20 bond for the same amount
previously voted, on conditions which shall insure
me building Of the road before the money is paid
non. H. D. Harris expressed himself as decidedly
IN favor OF building the road, believing that il would
yield good returns both to this and the other towns
on the line In his Judgment the estimate present
ga wa tair one II 20 miles in length, $500 200 he
~
Col. Hooker, chairman, then read with rnpnin,
comments paper which Col. l.. K. Fuller who Wa
absent had prepared giving estimates of the amount
OF business nov existing in the towns which would
nc ulouI4ry TO the proposed rad, comparing with
thAt previously existing along the line Of the West
hNys ROAD also showing how really insignificant
would be the tax which the ma jority OF our tsxpsy
ers would be called upon to pay in order TO have the
Ioad. Ihe person who pays nothing but q poll tax
would only need to smoke less cigar a wear dur
ing the ten years We are paying for the road while
the individual who pays taxes ipon sIOo0 v65rtb ~
pEIoperty would only need to take less trip to
Shesterneld lake in order TO make himself whole.
Though personally interested in the skating rink The
chairman did not hesitate 10 express his Willingness
mat persons who could not stand the expense of bth
the rink and railroad should Withdraw their patron
age from the rink for whole year IN order 10 help
pay LOT lne ROAD; As With individuals he remarked
40 with communities; IL is often wise and necessi ~
20 put money out in order to bring money IN and in
lns oelei ne favored bonding the towns order to
carry out the enterprise now in hand
Dr. II. ID. Holton said that whatever would increase
the prosperity Of Brattleboro he WA in favor al In
ayiduas prosper, he observed in proportion as they
improve thelr opportunities and it is with towns
ne lhsAneed Burlington place which wears ago
missed Us opportunity by driving away tho railroad
huleu might nave had; and the present generation
Of its inhabitants the pigheadedness of those
VINO were responsible for the present isolated stuA
non Of the place, which necessitates the having Of
hsneI rates OF freght etc. than would otherwise be
the case. The proposed railroad to Wilmington is All
sna, y neeaea 20 concentrate the business Of the
that II had been urged argument against Brat
ueDoros putting money into this road that If built
perhaps other parties would extend the Readsbor0
road TO connect with It but should that be done the
peting line.
Col. HAskins said that he had beep s,,psed Of
throwing cold water upon the enterprise; but If he
had manifested disagreement with what had been
eau or done 1t was not because Of opposition the
road or the plan Of bonding but 10 the continued
calling OF meetings ike this. His idea was that the
people should be called together in town meeting.
tneh the opponents OF the road, well as It's
friends, viii turn out, and there will be chance Of
making converts. In order to convert sinners you
must get them within your reach It was a waste OF
enort % tak 20 people who were already converted.
ne nae peeh reported as saying at former meeting
hat those VINO we're 10 be benefited by the road ought
70 pay ior II He was prepared TO stand by that
statement Inc road would be q beneht to every
property-holQer aud laboring man in the town. He
oeheNed tnAt bfattlehorO would be benehted more
thau any other town OF the line. The banking husi-
ness ana the probate and legal business Of the coun-
~ must come here; and here doubtless the county
seat will eventually be located The town could net
ter ahord to pay 100000 than not have the road.
Mr. Haskinss suggestion for calling town meet
ing was seconded by Hons. B. D. Harris and j. L.
Martin The latter referred TO the objections which
had seen urged against granting aid 70 the Whining.
ton road by men who honestly believed what they
talked aud said that these objections should be given
their due weight and argument met by argument;
ana when the town is called upon to vote in aid Of
the road, the terms must be conditioned that not
dollar shall be paid until the road "a contracted for
under adequate bonds
Mr.. q. I, Thompson spoke IN concurrence with the
preceding remarks. He said that those who wene
working for the road would md plenty Of hard worh
20 be done, but success would melt all opposition ad
hard feeling as he had found in the case Of the Weti
River road. Persons who had the most bitterly or
posed that project were the warmest In lie
praise. Concerning the necessity of building rail-
road TO Wilmington, be hkened the case to that Of
man whose house had leaky roof He cannot af-
ford not to repair the leah.
On motion OF r. Goodhue 1t Was then unanimously
voted 20 instruct the directors Of the road 10 petition
the selectnen TO call town meeting for the purpose
OF seeing II the town will aid In the construction Of
the brattleboro and Bennington railroad.