Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-07-14
A CRISIS IN VERMONT.


The people Of Vermont are at the
parting of the ways, and upon their
choice Of direction will depe~d for II
long time to come the shaping Of leg
islation at Montpelier. 1t required
years to shake off railroad domina-
ton, but the state is now confronted
by the same Boston & Native infu-
cnce which has so long held New
Hampshire firmly IN its grasp. the
most far-reachinr difference being
that instead of a local railroad the
| power now represents the combined
| interests such as the progressive re-
| publicans under the leadership of Tart
{ and Roosevelt are fighting in every
state in the Union.
| ExPresident Andrew D. White Of
Cornell University says that Mr..
Roosevelt saved this country from So
clalism by graphing with the trust
problems and preventing Conditions
which would have forced the people
to resort to extreme measures to re-
gain their rights. While there is
some ground for this view. we prefer
the more certain position that has
been quoted in these columns, name
| ly, that Mr. Roosevelt aroused the Re-
publican party to its responsibilities
to the people and helped It to improve
the opportunity for grand service con-
fronting 1t.
One of the most significant features
Of the present situation in Vermont Is
the nocking together of the very In
terests which the people Of this State
for few years have been free from a 3
masters, that freedom finding It's con-
crete expression in part in public SER
vice legislation that confessedly has
stood for the interests of the public.
Those who have watched the prog
the leading attorneys of the Boston &
Maine railroad, aided by the attorneys
of the more dist 'ctiveiy Vermont
railroads banded together and this
can have but one logical meaning.
The railroads, which confessedly had
gone out Of politics, have re-entered
the field with the plain determination
to regain at least partial control of
Legislation. If successful, the situa-
10
trous for the people OF the Green
Mountain state than before, because
the seat Of power will be In New
Haven. Conn. and New York instead
of in our own state, with local pride
and interest holding it In check
With the great financial interests
dominating the state Vermont will
become n pocket borough for the
great mnEnatcs, and the governors of
senators and our congressman and
our Legislators will be dictated to us
as has been the case 10 so large an ex-
tent in New Hampshire.
|, Now the FREE PRESS. as our edi-
torial columns amply testify, has
never believed in assaiing the rail
roads and striving to create prejudice
against them. We have welcomed
them and their advancement In various
ways ms one of the greatest aids to
| development state can possibly
have. We have also recognized thu
, fact that the cry that our railroads
, should be unduly taxed was unreason
able in particular, because Of the un
favorable conditions for profitable
railroading in our hilly State
When II comes to questio,
I whether the people or tho railroads
shall prevail In shaping legislation
5 and State policies, the FREE PRESS
9 will always be found on the side O
= the people. If the railroads pu
themselves in an attitude to invit
p opposition from the people, they mus
= expect the people to night for right
= and privileges vouchsafed them by tn
s constitution as we'll as by Legislation
and to bitterly oppose every move
I ment to weaken the bulwarks agains
: corporate control
= Tho people OF Vermont should care
= fully watch every public servant an
u see on which side he lines up in tn
= struggle, which Is sure to come. The
n should, moreover, see to It that ever