Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-09-17
4 PLEA FOR JUSTICE.

hr. Hitor: trust you will allow me, through
your columns TO express my opinion Of Vermont rail-
roads and railroad Managers II they do not
cord with your own Views. Somehow II seems to be
IN the nature Of some men to censure and condemn
their fellow without Just cause and whenever an
unusual or exciting event occurs 10 a community be-
lieve and circulate the most unreasonable reports
Hence wrong conclusions often arrived at while
the facts Of the case are not known or II known are
poorly understood.
The excitement caused by the fall Of the West River
bridge and the sadness connected with It, has given
rise to the most unreasonable and absurd statements
showing a disposition to condemn everything aud
everybody connected with railroad accusing tue
managers OF neglect and even murder" II is true
the accident was a serious one aud It cast a gloom
over our whole community; but II must be remenl-
bered that the loss Of life railroads 10 much less
than on carriage drives according to the number that
ride on them. II an accident happens on u carriage
drive, is usually passed by without censure no one
being blamed but the horse; but II, perchAnce a de-
feciive bolt, rod or timber railroad escapes the
notice Of the inspector, and an accident occurs judg
ment without mercy Is passed upon the managers as
men mt only for the gAlows. spirit Of hate toward
all railroad men 10 developed, which often vents itself
In severe abuse. Some men, however, charitable
enough despite the terrible charges brought against
railroad managers, to believe they are, as class as
honorable and Trustworthy as other men, who would
not be guilty OF sacrificing life property II possible
to avoid it, and who doubt deplore the suffering
and loss Of life as much other men, and use as
much care TO avoid accident
often hear the remark made by the opponents Of
railroads that the late accident IL death blow to the
narrowgauge railroad but the fact is just the re-
verse Of this. The little time the road has block
ed has demonstrated to our people aud to the towns
on the line the great value and convenience the road
is to our whole community; II IL now appreciated
more than ever before, aud more fully realize the
loss II would be 10 the people II the road should stop
But thanks to the railroad companies the bridge will
be rebuilt, the trains will continue run for the ben
eh and convenience Of the people, II 1t does not
pay them and all the managers ask fair treatment
II railroad managers allowed themselves to mind the
aHra fnsra a gV.sN.,I
should fear the result; but they are not revenge
ful class Of men, we may hope aud believe that our
railroad advantages VIII De continued, and even i'm
proved should all the railroads in Vermont stop for
an Indefinite time, our condition would be fearful to
contemplate; but II we say certain roads should run
aud others should not, would ask IL one section or
town should be accommodated better than others II
Is often represented that Brattleboro terribly
pressed by railroad managers and some men seem
almost ready to AnnihiAte all our railroads. II poss
BILE when IN fact they know they a great beneht
and even a necessity.
have wish to clear or ,exonerate the guilty but
it is my duty as citizen OF the town to treat this
ject fairly and truthfuly Whenever Il can be hon
esty shown that our railroad managers are a set OF
hard-hearted, unjust and oppressive men, am read
to condemn their cOurse aud not till then II
resented that they control the state politically. As 10
that, do not 30 understand 1t; but II 1t is true
think we have good state government honorable and
respected. Now, would like to know what actual
grievances we are suffering at the hands OF railroad
managers II 1t s the "eIorbitant short-haul rates
we must remember that nearly all roads make a diff
ference between short and long hauls and all country
toNub lnAA nave competing lines labor under the
same disadvantage; hence 1t may be q misfortune to
live In BrAttleboro.
The charges against railroad men are made in a
Kind Of Wholesale way; with broad sweep, and often
without reason facts Now, when all this kind OF
ammunition il exhausted. let the complainant ask
himself just this one question: Are we indebted to
any one man company Of men for the railroad adj
Vantages we now have? II We are unfayoraby locat-
ed, there does not seem TO be any law compelling us
to stay there but 1t il fact that many appreciate the
advantages Brattleboro has and do not keep up
slant howl about oppressive railroad officials Ii ia
true that competition in any business reduces prices
yet this principle is not fully carried out by railroad
officials is fact that the great bulk OF freight
received in BrattleborO the rates the to
other New England points. II is well known that on
lumber, hay, grain -four feed, etc. the rate OF freight
IL the same as to points where there competing
lines; but freight on coal s more than to some other
points, though the difference is not great some
suppose. Large sales OF coal have been made of late
In Holyoke at $3.50 to S57b coal is offered here 50
per ton In lots making difference of about s.. so
per car for short haul wish 1t was less but those
who deal in wood do not, Our merchants do not feel
that their freight on goods from New York Boston
il oppressive-At least, not serious enough to drive
them to towns where there competing lines.
There has been 80 much unreasonable and unjust
talk against railroad managers that am inclined 10
ask the honest inquirer TO obtain all the facts possible
relative to those terrible OppressOrs aud then decide
whether the managers deserve the criticism and cen
Of our whole people. 1t is solid facts that
most convincing and what the people should have.
This bowling over imaginary grievances, instead of
appreciating our privileges does not improve them OF
our town and county depends largely upon railroad
advantages and the railroads have the better
our resources will be developed. 1 claim that
town not suffering oppression at the hands Of
the railroad managers and, when sll the facts are
reasonably considered by the patrons OF the road,
think less fault will be found.
have been doing business with the different New
England railroads for more than 80 years, and have
yet TO find better or more accom- odating set OF men
than the managers Of our Vermont roads. do not
mud that our rates short hauls higher than
other roads; and think there other firms here
that win say the same, Partially 10 shown In
rates. do not countenance oppression in any form
regard the rights aud interests OF the poor the
same as the rich man; believe we are all mutually
interested In tue welfare Of our town aud state
have no wish to screen the guilty lend my influence
to aid oppression only ask that the people act hon
orably and fairly towards those who have lent their
aid IN helping this part Of state. Let us weigh
well all the facts, and consider the whole subject fair
y, before joining in the cry against railroads and
railroad managers.
This TRADE against railroads which some OF our
people have seen 1T TO keep up has, no doubt done
much harm, and II continued may prove detrimental
to our whole community. have expressed my views
on this subject honestly understand 1t, without
regard to party or position. have no political ends
to gain, do not propose to buy trade, paddle my
own boat; hence take an independent position In
this matter and, business man, simply ask other
business to consider the subject In the light of
aud common sense before censuring and ours
EDWARD CROSBY.