The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-07-11
CANADIAN RAILKnAns.


lations, and that if the present state of
affairs is broken up three-fourths of the
Vermont railroad system goes back to
local business and old time bankruptcy
PROBABLY. We give below Ex-Governor
Smiths views which voice those of the
Vermont railroads and most of her peo-
pie; and also the Boston trade influence.
The latter of course cares not for, our
state, and having three other western
through lines can afford to sacrifice
Northern New England for the sake of
an idea. Our readers should carefully
study both sides Gov. Smith of the
Central Vermont system of roads, ex
planned the extensive connections of the
road with the Grand Trunk and Cana
dian Pacific for both Eastern and West
ern traffic, and also the lake connections
through Ogdensburg. These made 800
miles of 70 DIS controlled by the Central
Vermont and becoming interviewer with
the subject in bond because of the sup
plies from the West distributed over
them. No New England state raised
enough for its own consumption, and to
supply the deficiency the Central Ver-
mont was the cheapest and most avail
able connection. The question there
fore, was what would be the result of
any interference with the big traffic now
being done. The tonnage passing over
the road and its branches amounted an
nually to about 5000, 900 tons. 1t SEEM
ed to him that the points raised thus far
in the line of imposing limitations on
Canadian traffic were not made on a
sound basis of facts or with due regard
for the conditions of the problem, geo.
graphical or otherwise.
He thought further that as far as OBJ
serving the provisions of Interstate Com
merce law was concerned, the Crank
Trunk was complying with them in
every point. He had found not only a
practical conformity to the law, but also
a strong disposition to keep up such a
policy. The same was largely true of
the Canadian Pacific, and he did not be-
lieve the road attempted 10 recoup on
local. business for supposed losses on
through freight. There is little chance
so to do, and he thought the fact that
the road went miles through a wilder
ness sure guarantee against too strong
competition with American roads, dot
ted as they were with an enormous pop.
ulation giving local business. He be-
thuO wa
that was specious and fallacious in the
arguments advanced and that any legis-
lation looking to nor intercourse if GER
tain restrictions were not obeyed would
be disastrous TO the very roads now ask
ing for it. The subject was one for
treaty regulation and amicable discus
sion. To his mind the solution of the
problem lay in such friendly intercourse
and negotiation between the two Gov
ernments as should bring their policies
into substantial harmony.
Gov. Smith thought further that the
American roads had much greater in
terest in the Canadian roads than they |
appeared to appreciate now. 1t was also /
unsound in principle to divert freight
crossing the peninsula of Ontario to a |
point as far south as the Lake Shore road. |
meant either one or two
things, non-intercourse or retaliation,
The latter coming from the antagonistic
feeling that one was being overmatched |
Oy the other. The question was wheth-
er it was sound policy to put any such |
on the Canadian roads as
would be retaliation. He would call at
entIon also to the fact that we were de
pendent upon the courtesy of Canada for
he use of the Welland canal. 1t SEEM
I'd to him, therefore, most unwise to
eopardlze the present relations. What
,ver 9micable settlement could be agreed
Ipon would be much better than ad-
'erce legislation which would rouse
hostile feelings. The Canadians had al.
owed our cars to pass freely in bond
,ver their territory and he believed we
we were more indebted 10 them than
hey to us.
The Boston Journal, on the other hand,
avs The hearings before the Senate
on Interstate commerce pretty
clearly demonstrates that our American
do not shrink from meeting
he Canadian Pacific Railway in any fair
md equal competition; it is unfair and
lnequaled competition which they OBJ
ect to. The Canadian Pacific has been
pity denomnated 1.-THE Canadian Gov
on wheels" 1t is not legiti-
nate business undertaking it is under
10 necessity of earning dividends. There
vas no genuine business demand for it
when it was constructed. 1t is essenti-
lily a political and military enterprise,
weapon by which an intensely hostile
oreign Power seeks to curb the expand
ng prosperity of the United States, 1t
xists by preying on the internal COM
nerce of this country, and draws its life
Hood from traffic ingeniously and I'M
Justly diverted from American railroad
ines. 1t cost $161 900, 900 to build tn
Pacific Railway, and the Cana
liam Parliament gave it subsidy Of
1915, 900 ,000-half in guaranteed securi
les and half in ready cash. Moreover,
he connecting steamship line across the
'acific to China is subsidized by Cana
la and Great Britain to the extent of
300, 900 yearly. Is it right, is it fair, is
just let good Americans answer-to
xpect American railroad companies, in
which the earning of American citizens
re invested, to compete with this sub
idized foreign corporation backed by :;
ii the powers of foreign Government?
We have seen our American steamships
riven from the seas, one by one, by the
magic influence of heavy British subsi-
lies. Are we prepared to permit sub
idized British railroad to play the part ,
f pirate on our domestic commerce
New Englanders who fancy that the d
Pacific is profoundly anxious !
o serve the interest of Boston and her
iotSi ivy, " liduu III bntlI tnuedNOTb
o retain their export trade are singular
y blind to the true situation. The So {
allied "short line" across the upper part
t Maine was not built with an idea of !!
iverting the wheat and meat products
f the West to any American seaport.
hat line-subsidized at $lS6,000 yearly !
or 90 years-is intended as connecting !,
ink between the upper Provinces and
It. John and Halifax, and as soon as the
ecessary arrangements can be complet
d, new and magnificent line of British
teamers, drawing a subsidy of half :
billion dollars from Canada and more
rom England, will make a continuous Q
British route from China and the North
vest to Liverpool. Then Boston and 8
Cortland can go whistling for the com.
nerce the Canadian Pacific was to bring :
hem.
vermont's Annual Muster c
General orders have been issued a
through the office of the Adjutant and I
Inspector General T. S. Peck, by the Or y