Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-02-08
THE TROLLEY RAILROAD.
The Objections to the Enterprise

Fully stated by Hon. B. u. Harris---In-
sufficient business, Damage TO Streets,
and the Rights Of the Majority are
Included in the List.
TO the Editor Of The PboBir:
From time to time during the last few
weeks your paper has published plans and
statements of those favoring the scheme to
construct trolley railway in the streets
and highways of this village and town;
but so far as / have observed, you have
printed but little adverse to the project,
and quite likely because no opponent has
taken the trouble to formulate his objec-
tions and offer them for publication.
therefore think, assuming that you favor
fair and free discussion of matters of pub
lie concern, that do not overstep the linn
its of propriety in asking you to oblige me,
and those who agree with me, by publish
ing this communication in the next issue
of your paper. | will try to state, in a
plain and direct wav some of the reasons
for my belief that the objections to this
trolley enterprise far outweigh any argu-
ments that can be urged in its favor, and
therefore that our streets and highways
ought not to be encountered by it.
|. Under existing conditions, or any
opinion the road could not possibly pay;
and, il 50, it is safe to assume that it would
not be run in a way to accommodate or es-
sentially benefit anybody. Nobody will
long run the road at a loss simply to be ac-
commodating. The ordinary travel over
the line to and from West BrattlebOro by
citizens of this village, after the first few
weeks or months at most, when the novel
ty has worn off. will be very small. There
is nothing at West Brattleboro to attract
any considerable amount of regular travel
from this village, and the income from this
source must necessarily be a very small
item in paying business. The great bulk
of patronage must obviously come from
people living on Western avenue and at
West Brattleboro-about 800, or possibly
600, persons all told, of all ages and condi-
tons between the cradle and the grave.
Many of them will not ride at all; a major
ity of them will use the road only occa-
sionally: and of the remainder, only a
small portion will use il daily. A large
part of the residents of West Brattleboro
are well-to-do, quiet, stay. at-home people,
who travel but little, and own teams.
Where, then, are the many hundreds of
daily passengers to come from to support
the road? Echo answers, "Where?'
?. The road will not increase the bust
ness of the town single dollar. If it
should, perchauce, bring some additional
trade from the West village here, as is not
improbable it would be at the expense.
dollar for dollar, of the West Brattleboro
traders and business men, who are our fel-
low townsmen. But wherein would the
town be the richer?
>. II has been claimed that the road
would enable people of small means TO Sc
cure cheaper houses and rents. This,
| think is a palpable error There are now.
it is said on good authority, about l0C
| houses and tenements empty in this vii
lage, and for rent al very moderate rates
and building lots can be bought within
I easy walking distance OF the large manu-
| featuring establishments here quite a,
cheaply as on Western avenue or at West
! Brattleboro; while the car fare for a fami
| ly saved by living here would pay, or e
far towards paying the rent for yillas,
tenement.