The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-04-22
The Railway COmmissiOn--.By a
Member In 'S8.

Editor of Wdtchmdn:-" The rub OF the
whole affair is because certain person de-
sired an appointment on the railway COM
mission and was refused"
The foregoing appears in your issue OF
April 10 as taken from an article In the
Barre Enterprise defending Mr.. Grout. In
the estimation OF the writer of this extract,
the question OF the creation Of a railroad
commission for Vermont in 1886 extended
no farther than the mere honorary appoint
ment to place on the house railroad COM
mittee. Resolutions passed at both state
and county conventions clearly indicated
the wish Of the people in 1886. The matter
was discussed by and through the press. 1t
was costing as much for Vermont farm BIS
and manufacturers to send their products
to Central Massachusetts, to the great mill
ing centers, where our goods would find
ready buyers, as from points several hum
dred miles north and west of us. 1t was
costing more for short than long haul.
Our local markets were denied us by prac-
tically prohibitive freight rates. Is there
any dispute about this9 Was it an injustice
to state these facts? Was it improper for
the people to ask for an explanation, or to
seek to arrive at some fair adjustment, by
legal enactment, il in no other way attain
able? How are things to be accomplished
unless some one makes a study of the sub
ject, and has understandable ideas of q
mutually just arrangement. Other things
being equal, a man who has investigated is
certainly as valuable as man who has not.
l do not now recall single individual in
the legislature Of 1886 who wished to work
harm to our railroad interests. 1t was
claimed, of course, that certain men were
"enemies " because they wanted to know
the reason for certain things Legislation
is practically done in the committee rooms,
and 1t Is as a committeeman that individual
ideas, facts, figures, have weight With
the hope Of accomplishing some OF these
things-not to injure our common carriers,
but seeking to benefit the state-ex-Gov-
ernOr Barstow and others asked for the ap-
pointment of certain men on the railroad
committee. With the chairman of that
committee an able railroad attorney, skilled
in legislation, and the majority composed as
it was, where was the improperly of asso.
ciating with them at least one member,
whose opinions, even If pronounced, were
certainly not incendiary?
1t is unnecessary, it is unpleasant, to re-
view the railroad Legislation of 1886. AT
the last hour, a committee bill was sub
mitted that entailed large expense upon the
state, but accomplished practically nothing.
In the session OF 1888 an effort was made to
repeal this almost useless law; but II failed.
1t is easier to do than undo an injury. If
nothing had been accomplished, If the pres
ent law had gone into effect, and we had
obtained-as we have obtained - nothing
that avails for Vermont producers, the
friends of an effective and vigorous rail-
road commission would have felt far diff
ferently had there not been such man.
fest disregard Of the public demand" in
creating the committee.
Who had the appointment OF the CON-
mittee on railroads in 1886? Josiah Circuit
OF Derby, candidate for governor.
MEMBER IN 49,