The Press., 1899-02-09
TROLLEY ARGUMENTS.
20 the Editor of The Press ::

To the Editor of The Press -
"The merchants were unable to antici-
pate the demand for goods this year, as
they had to contend with a new feature
this year, that of rapid transit to Hart,
for d as afforded by the trolley. Many pers
sons feared that the trolley would largely
reduce the business of the merchants, but
it does not seem to have affected it to any
great extent. A number of the stores re-
port increased business oven last year,
and the sales Of many merchants were
about the same as last year, while there
has not been as much money in circula-
ton on account of the mills running on
short time."-( From Rockville letter in
recent issue of the Springfield Republi-
CAM.
The above is nay text for short SER
mon. l am not saying anything new. but
something which, nevertheless, needs to
be said over and over again, when say
that Stafford Springs, with all its good
points, (and they are many, is sadly
lacking In one thing, viz decent railroad
accommodations. In justice to our rail-
road it must be conceded that often the
connecting (?) lines are as fully RESPONSE
BILE for our woes. am also willing to
grant that, for all know to the contrary,
the officers and employees of the G.. V. r.
R. are doing as we'll by the travelling pub
lie as circumstances will permit, and the
fault really lies elsewhere. But who
ever is to blame for 1T, the fact remains
that our railroad accommodations are, as
a whole, very unsatisfactory. Take, for
example, the matter of going to Hartford
and back. Although only about 81 miles
from here on a straight line, to get there
from this place, or to get to this place
from there, If you go by train Gas you
generally do), you have got to go way
Ground Robin Hoods barn." and travel
twice that distance. Then see how much
time you consume on the road! To be
sure, you can get to Hartford in about
two and one half hours. But the chances
are that you won't get home again in as
quick time. Those of our residents who
have spent the night in Hartford, and
wanted to get home the next morning as
soon as possible, will know what mean
And see, too, what an extensive trip 1t is.
There are villages not as large as this
accommodations are vastly superior to
ours, and they are villages, too, that are
no nearer large cities than Stafford Springs.
Why? Simply because they do not de-
%
which passes through their midst, when
they wish to travel. They have realized
| that there is far more convenient meth.
cd of transportation, at least for short
distances, than even the most finely
equipped steam road can furnish, viz.
the trolly, and they have acted accord
ingly. In many cases the leading men Of
those village have themselves subscribed
to the stock of the trolley company whose
road passed their doors, and I have yet tc
learn that any of them have ever regretted
the investment. The prospects for a troll
ley through our borough, connecting II
with Rockville and Hartford in one di
rection, and Warren and Worcester il
the other, are not very bright just now
Why? Some say because our business
men, or at least our merchants, won'
have anything to do with it. Others tel
US, what is SELF evident, that if enough
outside capital can be secured, the roae
will be built at some distant day, not
withstanding the opposition of our mer
chants. But If our merchants and bust
ness men generally should take hold o.
the plan and push it along, we wouldn'
have to wait till ''some distant day ,
but would be enjoying its blessings ir
side of year. BLESSINGS! Humph!"
imagine a local merchant saying, ii
will be no blessing to me. 1t woult
just ruin my business" Yes, our mer
chants actually picture to themselve
crowds of their former patrons going tt
Hartford by trolley on pleasant mornings
at least two or three times month, an
coming back at night loaded down witt