Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-07-11
town relieved from further obligation and

/ Wmh EelleNeu ltom lurtner ODllBauOn ana
risk.
When our charter was first obtained il
seemed to be the general opinion that we
should in some way utilize it 80 il would give
us another line to South Vernon, and R8 the
| Connecticut River railrond management had
often expressed a wish TO connect their line
with the Vermont Valley road, in some posi-.
BILE way, the directors OF the BrattlobOro ~
bennington railroad, in obedience to the
wishes OF the people, commenced to investi.
gate and II possible ascertain what could bo
dono to bring about tho building of the ten
miles to South Vernon. At the same time
the management Of the Central Vermont rail
road said they were willing to give the Brat.
teboro people ovory facility and advantage
they could reasonably ask. Not the tide of
feeling set strongly in favor Of negotiating
with the Connecticut River railroad and re-
peated interviews were hold with that man
agement, and for a timo it seemed reasonable
for us to believe that negotiations could be
entered into, but it finally turned out at a la.
tor date that tho River road had taken a diff
ferent view of tho matter and reported in sub
| stance that they could see no sufficient reason
! why they should expend 300, 900 to build
connecting link as their arrangements with
the Central Vermont railroad were fairly sat
| isfRctory, for the time at least. This settled
the point. Tho president and directors of
tho Connecticut River road informed us that
they should do all in their power to place
Brattleboro upon as good footing as other
towns, as to freights, etc, and also stated ttha
freights would be more likely to be reduced
with ono road over the ten miles than with
two lines to support, and advised if we ox-
pected to get reduced rates, to go to work
and improve our town and county and in
crease our business.
OUR REDUCED FREIGHT RATES.
This final decision put tho 10 miles to
South Vernon beyond possibility so far as
Brattleboro is concerned. The next effort,
and tho only one that could be mado to help
the South Vernon project, was to bring about,
If possible, a reduction in our freights to and
from Boston and New York. This has been
done. We are now to have our froights to
and from Boston the same as Shelburne Falls,
which will be great saving to merchants
and shippers and our coal, which cost 81. 20
from Greenfield last season will now cost on
ly 81 per ton. We also havo encouragement
that as tho business of the town improves
our advantages will be improved The ar
rangemont seems to meet tho views Of tho
business men OF our town and county and is
really all they ask, and hence thoy are willing
and even anxious to SEQ the Wilmington
road built as speedily as possible.
ANXIOUS ron THE ROAD.
Wilmington is anxiously waiting to sec
what Brattleboro finally says. large ma
ioriiy of her people desire to come this way.
Ihoy prefer to stay in their own county and
keep their business in old Vermont. Yet
few, interested in the Deerfield river route.
are working hard to hinder the Brattleboro
y bennington railroad but Wilmington can
be depended upon for somo $50, 900 Whit
inghnm for Sl2,OOO, Halifax SIC, 900, Marl-
boro or Guilford $40, 600 more. This amount.
together with tho aid asked of Brattleboro,
and the individual subscriptions, would ena-
BILE the directors TO let the road to good and
responsible parties that would take our rail.
road bonds and build aud run the road, Civ
ing the stockholders whatever balance there
may be besides running expenses and inter-
est on the bonds. Two such parties are now
waiting for full expression OF tho directors
in relation to the amount the towns will give
II such an arrangement can be made the
town would be safe and the advantages of the
road secured, as the directors would not pay
over the money until good bonds were given
that the road should be well built and fully
equipped and run for the accommodation Of
tho public perpetually.
THE ROUTE FEASIBLE.
As to the objection that the grades on the
line of the Brattleboro & bennington road
are too heavy, and the face of the country
too difficult, l will repeat The grades are
pronounced by the best engineers to be very
favorable for good business road and the
chance for building extra good, and it can no
doubt be built at less expense per mile than
the West river road was built, as there are no
large bridges required and no deep rock cut
ting. As to the business which will naturally
flow on to tho line, there cannot be doubt
but that it will fully equal the West river
road per mile, and with the vast timber tract
so near the village of Wilmington, and with
the products OF two of tho best farming
towns in our county, with other towns on the
line 1t is reasonable to predict that the road
will do largo and profitable business. 1t is
fact that "A section of country of such mag
nitudo and with such facilities and agencies
to support a road cannot be found ut this day
without railroad. Such an opportunity
does not often present itself for improvement
and bencfting community.
IN CONCLUSION.
Let the farmer, tho mechanic, the mer-
chant, the retired capitalist, and those who
have left the land Of oppression to find homes
in our town, consider this subject in its true
light. Let reason and sound Judgment con-
troll their acts in relation to this important
work. Ask yourselves if the town can afford
to block an enterprise of SO much valuo at so
small cost. Forget your dislike OF those
that arc not agreeable to you, remembering
that the stockholders have it all in their own
mower TO apDOint a now hoard Of directors