Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-02-20
A "Cl,luen" write. about she railroad

Editors Of The PheniI: As the question Of the
Wilmington railroad is again coming before the peo-
pie trust you will allow citizen to express bis
views through your columns. The question is GER
tainly very important one, and should be well I'M
dersood The growth or decline OF this part Of our
county should concern every man, woman and child.
The decision of the question must affect only this
but future generations. No legacy OF more value
be left to children than thriving aud wecutiyat-
ed farms and pleasant homes Gold aud silver can
not make us happy without comfortable and pleasant
surroundings. Farms and homes are like shadows
when our children leave them yet most of the young
men will not now consent to settle far away from
railroadi that time has gone by to return. In
the course OF events railroads have become necess
ty; without them towns become depopuated, aud the
pleasant New England homes are forsaken
Many have watched these taets with great anxiety
many successful efforts have been made to save the
more remote towns from decay. Many short lines Of
road have been built for the local business and yet
town is heard from that has bonded for and OBJ
tanned such road that would give 1t up for twice its
cost. The statements made by prominent men in all
the towns on the West River line confrm the views
expressed by Deacon WinslOw Of ToWnshend, through
your columns, some time since. Testimony from
towns both East and West also confirms these facts.
OF all the localities this seems to be OF the most
favorable for short ine Of narrow gauge road Brat
tleboro is natural centre, aud favoraby located
on great through llne' wilmington aud Whiting
state. The soil is naturally good; hard and soft
timber are abundant and yet almost worthless while
the chair manufacturers Of the lower towns are anx-
iously waiting for a chance to reach 1t by rail The
other towns are altogether too important to abandon
There are not many places Ia the state Of Vermont
that furnish so much timber aud general freight
the sections this road would reach. The inteili-
genoe and character Of the Inhabitants Of these towns
too well known to need comment. They are most
ly Of the real New England stock they are the bone
and muscle Of our country, the much-respected ers
of the soil, from whom come the nations life and
hope Our friends Ia these towns much desire rail-
road communication aud all its advantages as we did
before we enjoyed them. They have made their ap-
peal to often for little help which II given would
return to this town four fold.
Now the question IL, Are we not standing in our
own light If we refuse aid to important an en-
terprise are we not blocking the way Of progress
1t must be apparent to every that there is not
business enough In this town to encourage those who
already here and certainly not enough to attract
strangers. Now that business is dull aud railroad
supplies never so low, is 1t not favorable time TO
make effort TO improve and build up lasting bus
tness The farmer and mechanic eau but see that a
live town Is far better than that has little life aud
few resources. II our back towns down or for
sake us. situation will be deplorabe. Our foreign
population feel the need OF more business aud re-
spectfuly ask them If they know Of any possible way
that they improve It surely give their sup
port to this railroad Please investigate the actual
cost 1t will be to each individual, aud you will no
doubt that We had better do the little required Of
us to start the Wilmington railroad. It's friends
have no wish to wrong any one but they wish to ben
eht all classes, aud know OF no other to take
to bring about this improvement but 10 ask for town
aid provided by law Had II not been for this law
many towns that now have railroads could never have
had them. The subject is Of too serious a nature TO
pass by with Indifference II IL for the good Of this
whole community We labor, and ask your candid con-
sderation Of all the facts 10 connection with this m
portant enterprise. CITIZEN