The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-07-12
Five Cents.

then pending had been completed, the de-
sire OF Montpelier and Barre people for the
restoration of a five cent fare on the electric
railway between the two cities would be
gratitied The time is now fully come and
the directors of the Barre and Montpelier
Power and Traction Company have to-day
ordered that the fare shall be restored. be-
ginning on Thursday morning, July 6, to
the rate existing prior to February, 1899.
The change from a five to a ten cent fare,
1t Is generally understood, was made at the
instance OF directors living in Massachu-
sets, who were at the time the larger own
ers OF the stock, and who had not been per-
sonally in touch with the people here.
They had in mind the rate existing in other
rural communities Tor the distance between
Montpelier and Barre and were further in.
f1uenced by considerations relating to the
increased cost of operating the line in win
ter time. They did not seem to appreciate
the circumstance that however the phrase
ology OF the section OF the franchise, by it,
self alone, might be construed by the courts,
it was interpreted locally in the light Of
positive assurances voluntarily given by
the representatives of the company, when
they were seeking the franchise, that the
rate between the terminus OF the road in
Montpelier and the Barre terminus should
not exceed five cents-"the longest ride for
five cents outside the large cities" 1t was
not, with the people, entirely question as
to whether or not ten cents was u fair rate;
1t was question of strict adherence to
pledges made and inducements held out,
voluntarily, to induce the city to grant the
franchise. SO there was naturally great
and general dissatisfaction, amounting to
hostile feeling, over the doubling of this
rate, and a determination not to submit to
the increase.
This spirit OF resistance was III Anifested
in this city in various ways, by the institu-
ton OF suits to test the legality Of the
change, by the enactment of restrictive or
n lima hy. oil hu Aat
mination of that body to hold the company
rigidly down to the observance of the strict
letter OF the ordinances it passed and every
requirement of the franchise; in word, to
boycott the company INCREASINGLY The
council believed it had been justified in
this course by what it deemed, in common
with the public generally, breach of good
faith in the matter OF fares. 1t did not diff
ferentiate between Vermont or Massachu.
setts persons in interest in placing the re-
sponsibiity for the change very natur-
ally it took account only of the concrete
fact that the city had been promised five
cent fare, that on that PROMISE among
many others, franchise had been granted.
but the pledge had been disregarded and
the rate between the two terminals doubled.
So there was bad feeling and war of legal
action and obstructive ordinances.
Last week there were intimations that the
railway powers were ready for a parley
Through their attorney, Richard A. Hoar,
Esq OF Barre, Martin W. WheeOck, alder
man from ward six, president Of the city
council, and regarded as a particularly de-
| termined representative of the spirit of OPP
position to the railway on the ground nam
| ed, was invited to meet Messrs. Kennedy,
Flynn and Humphrey, Of the railway board
| of directors, for conference on the situa-
ton. Representations of such a character
were made to Mr.. Wheolock that ne finally
consented to meet the directors, properly
| at
should be present az his legal counsel.
Accordingly on Monday July Sd, Mr..
| Wheelock, Mr.. Carleton ard City Sheriff
| Bancroft, with Mr.. Hoar of counsel for the
railway, met the directors named above in
| Burlington.
Mr. Wheelock presented the grievances
Of Montpelier with perfect candor, stated
the purpose and the policy Of the city coun-
Gil OF Montpelier with a clearness and force
| that could leave no doubt thereupon in the
minds OF the persons he was addressing;
and on their part the gentlemen of the
board Of directors represented the difficult
ties and endorsements, financial and 9th.
erwise, OF operating their railway, and
which, on general principles, would justify
the rise in fare which lay at the root of
existing conditions. Nevertheless, having
completed the arrangements that made
them masters OF the situation, on their side
| Of the case, they desired peace and a good
understanding with Montpelier people and
all others. 1t is not necessary to go over all
the considerations, pro and con, of this
interview. Mr.. Wheelock, on his part, in
sisted upon an absolute return to what he
maintained was the stipulation of the fran
chse in the matter Of fare between Mont
pelier and Barre, five cents. A proposed
rate of five cents for the months of bare
ground and ten cents for the months OF
snow and ice could not be accepted, he
said, as it might carry with it an implica-
ton of legal right to change to ten cents,
or any other sum above five cents.
Mr.. Wheelocks representations were
strongly reinforced by Mr.. Carleton, the
city attorney. 1t is proper, and just, to
steadfastly maintaining their rights as they
viewed them, manifested praiseworthy de-
sire to meet the wishes OF Montpelier and
end the imbroglio. While there was
abundant candor on both sides in the pre-
sentation OF the conflicting phases of the
| situation, the conference was without acri-
mony. The conclusion OF the whole mat
ter was this, subject to the assent of "the
party OF the first part" the city council OF
Montpelier and ''the party Of the second
part" the railway company: The fare be-
tween Barre and Montpelier to be put back
to five cents, all the year round; all exist
ing suits to remain in suspense, without
prejudice to anybody's legal rights, to be
prosecuted to a conclusion il at any time,
in its judgment, either party shall deem
| tnAt circumstances require BuCn COul5e.
No "protocol" was signed. 1t was simply
a verbal understanding, a"modus vivendi, u
between common interests, that old conten-
tions should be in allegiance, that they
should try to get along in harmony, that
the new order OF things should have fair
trial, that when new causes OF difference
should arise they should be duly mindful
of each others welfare and to that end be-
fore acting should take counsel together.
1t was represented to the railway people
that in some ways the city could modify the
strict letter Of the law governing the opera
ton OF their line to tighten expense without
materially lmpairing the efficiency OF the
service to the public, or without injury to
municipal interests, as In the running OF
the Seminary hill car, and in the DISPOSE
ton Of snow brushed from the track, allow.
ing it to be spread over the highway at the
sides, in such way as not to impede travel,
instead OF obliging the railway to cart il off
In short, by relaxing the letter of the law
which kills, and observing its spirit which
giveth life the city might save the railway
company thousands of dollars annually in
the cost of operating; this circumstance and
the greatly increased travel at a five cent
fare, without dOubt ought at least fullv m