The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-12-18
RAILROAD MEETING.

The joint meeting of Barre and
Montpelier business men, called on
Tuesday evening at the Apollo club
rooms, to discuss the proposition of
connecting lines of railroad between
these cities and Rutland and Newport
was indicative of the increasing in
terest in the project. &ssH
About fifty representative business
men from Barre were present, several
from the Mad River Valley and from
Woodbury.. There were over 100 pres
ent in all.
Mayor j. G. Brown of this city pre-
sided, and for over two hours the pro-
iected railroads were most enthusiasts
tically discussed. Judging by the
unanimity which prevailed, it is evil
dent that something will be done.
A. J. Sibley, j. H. Senter, and Hon.
J. A. DeBoer of this city spoke of
the needs of better railroad facilities
and pointed out the possibilities i'll the
way of increased growth and wealth
to the towns interested, also the prac-
ticability of the scheme. The speak
ers met with hearty applause. Mr..
DeBoer struck the key note of the en-
thusiasm when he said we were entl-
tied to get somewhere and to get there
anything which would bring this
about.
Emory L. Smith of Barre believed
we could get something in the way of
better facilities, and said that when
we made up our minds what we want
ed then go for it.
Royal brennan of Woodbury. said he
was the only representative present
at the meeting from his section but
that the woods were full Of OF ers as
interested as he in the project. He
said they needed railroad up his
way. He kept hotel for a while up
there but was starved out of the bust
ness as the route was tiresome and the
traveller had rather go the other way.
He said they shipped 1900 carloads
of granite year from Woodbury., and
if road was built they could more
than double that amount, to say moth
ing of other traffic. He hoped ground
for the road would be broken next
spring.
Jesse B. Norton of Waitsfield said we
came near losing the capitol at the
last session of the legislature, due
mainly to poor railroad facilities and
| he wished God speed for the project
A. j. Sibley of this city said Mont
pelier paid more than the Central Yer
mont corporation for the construction
of that road and that two Montpelier
gentlemen disposed of the bulk of the
bonds Also that Montpelier raised
$3.50, 600 at first and $50 600 more later
for the construction of the Montpelier
and Wells River road and thus opened
up the granite industry of this State
which is the leader in the country.
He favored an electric line if con-
junction cannot be obtained with
trunk steam lines. He said that to-
day electric roads, fitted with up-to-
date equipment were the equal of
steam roads, and thought one might be
preferable between Rutland and New
port, as the land damages would be
practically nothing and grades do not
form an obstacle. He read an exhaus-
tive newspaper article which detailed
the success with which long electric
lines are being operated where prop
erly equipped and managed.
j. II. Senter moved that it was the
sense of the meeting that Barre, Mont
pelier and other towns interested APP
point a general committee of twenty
five members to act in unison to pro-
mulgate this scheme for obtaining bet
ter railroad facilities. The motion
was seconded by E. w. Bisbee of
Barre. Mr.. Senter said it was his
idea that this general committee should
! appoint subcommittee and that Barre
should have the largest representation,
as that city was the most closely al
| lied with the success of the scheme.
A discussion then followed as to the
number to be placed on the committee,
some favoring a smaller number than
twenty five, and as to the manner in
which the committee should be select.
ed. This discussion was taken part
in by several from both cities, and
finally an amendment to Mr.. Senter s
motion, offered by Frank e. Howe OF
Barre, was accepted and the motion
was passed. Mr.. Howe's amendment
provides that twelve members each
from Barre and Montpelier be selected
as general committee and other towns
interested select committees to act
with this committee, this committee
to be given power to appoint such sub
committees as it sees fit
The motion of H. w. Kemp that the
Montpelier members of the committee