Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-03-29

To show the rank absurdity of the claim
that electricity to run the trolley road can
be bought for from So to IS per day, it is
only necessary to state that the larger of
the sums named would probably only about
cover the interest on the cost and the wear
and tear of new plant that would have to
be bought, the wages for extra labor that
would have to be employed, and other ex-
penses of the service, leaving little or moth
ing for the electricity itself. Now the
shrewd business men who control the Elec-
trio Light company are not likely to make
expensive additions to their plant, as we'll
as largely increase their daily labor bills, in
order to furnish electricity to the trolley
company for fun only. They will do it
solely for money, If at all; and it is not
supposable they will furnish it at all, ex-
cept on conditions and guaranty that will
insure both profit and safety If they do,
they will exercise much less prudence and
sagacity than appears in the management
of their own private affairs. The charge
for motive power, therefore, is much more
likely to exceed than underrun the esti-
mate made for it; otherwise the trolley
will get It's electricity at much better rates
than are granted to other purchasers of I'M
questioned responsibility, which is not
probable. But suppose it does; even sup
pose the electricity is given to it outright,
without money and without price, the finan-
cal hole it will still be in will be found
deep enough for all practical purposes.
The items mentioned in my estimated
statement, published March s, to which no
figures were affixed, viz: Damages for &C
cidents and to abutters, litigation, inciden-
tails, etc" when properly estimated, will
much more than fill any gap made by de-
auctions on account of the truly marvellous
gift suggested above. The aggregate
amount involved in these items will GER
tainly be large, and in all probability will
greatly exceed the largest item in the ex-
pense account shown in the statement re-
ferred to. Indeed, if this scheme is per-
sisted in, the costs of litigation alone will
cut big figure; big enough, in fact, to
gladden. the hearts of the wide-awake law
yers who alone will reap rich harvest from
the seed they have helped to plant and cul-
tivate; but the portion of the stockholders
must surely be assessments, disappoint-
ments and losses, and then more assess
ments. And beside, taking no present ac-
count of damages for accidents, which are
sure to come later, damages to abutters will
press for immediate attention and call for no
inconsiderable amounts in spot cash. The
rights of abutters are explicitly recognized,
with provision for their enforcement, in
the law of 1894-the very law under which
all late trolley proceedings here have been
had-and it may be accepted as fixed fact
that these rights will be sturdily defended.
Beside the charter of 1888 does not even
purport to confer the right of eminent do
main, without which rights of abutters
cannot be invaded, and, with it, only by
paying full damages.
Tho sOnambot 6OminaarinO spirit and
methods of some over-zealous trolley advo-
Gates, to put it mildly, and the almost con-
temptuous disregard shown for the rights
and interests of all disa. ,reeing with them,
have not tended to propitiate neighborly
goodwill and forbearance. "Whatsoever
man soweth that shall he also reap" is
unadulterated human nature eXemplified
in this case. And so, if do not misun-
derstand the purposes of its opponents, the
trolley will be vigorously resisted at all
points, by all proper and legal means, and
will be permitted to advance only so fast
and so far as a clear legal right therefor is
established by final decisions of competent
legal tribunals. And among the decisions
to be invoked in due time will doubtless be
one from the full bench of the supreme
court as to the legal right of the company
organized under the charter of 1888, tC
build even so much as a single rod of troll
ley road anywhere on the face of the earth
The legislature that granted that charter
certainly did not intend to give any sucl
right. 1t will then be known whether oul
learned and conservative supreme cour
judges will interpret this law according t.
the plain intent of the law-making power
as they have heretofore interpreted all laws
or will themselves go into the charter
making business, as appears to be the eX
pectation of some trolley enthusiasts. TIL,
decision may be awaited in calm confidence
that the long established and Fundamental
principles of law underlying personal ant
private rights will not be dishoDored.
B. d. HARRIS.
Brattleboro, March 1872 1895.