Guelph Advertiser 3 June 1852

Toronto and Guelph Railroad

Since the issue of our last publication, the routes of the proposed line of Railroad from Toronto to Guelph has been decided. The Directors have adopted the Northern route, -- via Weston, Brampton, and Georgetown, but not to pass through Lambton.

This route will give general satisfaction -- though, of course, it will not please all parties. -- Some have particular interests in one place, some in another; and as the Railroad cannot possibly pass through every township and village between Toronto and Guelph, some persons are sure to be dissatisfied. There's no help for it.

The chief point of concern, however, with a considerable portion of the public, now is, the cost of the Road. Told at first that the Road would cost certainly not more than 180,000 pounds or 200,000 pounds, they believed the statement; put their shoulders to the wheel, and set the enterprise in motion. The estimate afterwards got up to 250,000 pounds; at which many looked serious, but not aghast; ultimately, there have been four lines of route surveyed; the one estimated to cost the least money has been adopted -- and that line is estimated at cost of 301,000 pounds. We are informed that this sum does not include either the rolling stock, or the right of way. -- So that it is not over the mark, at any rate, to say that, according to the present plan, this line, with the necessary adjuncts, will cost 400,000 pounds, ere it will be in working order. We are informed that the Director is determined to push on the work immediately; and that the general talk among many influential Torontonians is, that they will have the Road, cost what it will.

It has been asked when will the Road be let out for construction by tender. Will both ends of the line be commenced simultaneously? Or will a commencement be made about midway, and the line be continued from Toronto, as far as the funds will take it -- which will be somewhere about Georgetown? When are the debentures to be issued? Are they to be issued at once and turned into cash as soon as possible; and the sections of the Road let out, the contractors being paid in cash? And when all the cash which can be raised -- (the Stock taken now amounts to 175,000pounds) -- shall have been expended -- what then? Many in this locality are asking for information on these points -- and don't seem altogether easy about them.

Last Thursday, a public meeting was held at Toronto, for the purpose of giving an opportunity to the citizens to express their opinions as to the different lines of route which have been surveyed. The Globe gives a condensed report of the proceedings, and make a serio-comical affair of the meeting. The Report, however, contains some facts, of which probably many of our readers will be glad to be informed.

The Globe says: His Worship took the Chair at half past 7 o'clock, at which time a considerable number of gentlemen has assembled, and explained the object of the meeting. He said that the members of the Board of Directors of the Railway had taken all the means in the power to select the best line of road. They had ordered the survey of four different routes. Some of the members were in favor of a more northerly route running through the back country, he was himself of that opinion,but others preferred a line nearer the lake shore and approaching Port Credit. He thought that the people of Toronto should have an opportunity of giving their opinion on the subject. There need be no secrets about it now, for the right of way had been secured and the price could not now be advanced, no matter what line was selected. The mayor also referred to a statement of the comparative cost of each of the routes surveyed, which had been published in the journals, and which we understood him to say was correct. It is as follows:

Mr. Alex Dixon then moved a resolution in favor of the northern route by Lambton, Weston, Brampton, and Georgetown, seconded by Mr. Atkinson. Mr. J.D. Ridout said that the meeting knew very little on the subject and would like to ask the Mayor if that resolution was in accordance with the views of the Directors. The Mayor replied that it agreed with the views of some of them. Mr. Dixon said it was in accordance with the reports of the Engineer. Mr. Sheriff Jarvis thought that the meeting was not in a position to decide on the route, that they had perfect confidence in the Directors, and had no desire to interfere with them in the discharge of a duty which no one doubted would be performed correctly. He also argued that it would be taking the responsibility off the shoulders of the Directors, who would be absolved from all blame should a mistake be made in selecting the line. He was in favor of the immediate adjournment of the meeting. Mr. W.H. Boulton referred to the opposition which he had given to the Mayor in the election of Directors of the road, but professed the utmost confidence in the good intentions ofthe Board as at present constituted. He thought that the meeting should not pledge itself to the exact localities, or pass such a resolution as would free the directory from responsibility, but they ought to express the opinion in favor of the Northern route which was universally held. He therefore moved the following resolution:

"That this meeting having every confidence in the Board of Directors of the Toronto and Guelph Railroad Company, consider it expedient to prescribe any particular line as the one to be adopted, although they have no hesitation in declaring it to be their opinion that the most northerly route is the most desirable, if considered the most eligible by the Directors."

Mr. J.D. Ridout seconded the motion. Dr. Clark, of Guelph made a long speech, which contained nothing of moment, save that he was in favor of the Northern route as the cheapest and best, although he believed that the interests of Guelph would be best served by going to Port Credit, so that the country might have another shipping port, should the Toronto people get saucy. He spoke of the good prospect of the road paying, and paid a high compliment to Mr. Gwynne, the projector, who deserved a testimonial of gratitude for his exertions when all others were indifferent or hostile. Mr. Charles James said that if the lower route were taken, the Credit would tap the mad, and Toronto would derive little benefit from it. He also showed a map with the two lines drawn upon it. Mr. M.P. Hayes was in favor of the first resolution (Mr. Dixon's). The meeting ought to strengthen the hands of their representatives in advocating the Northern route. Dr. Gwynne said that the Directors would not be guided by the decision of the meeting, and ough not to be shackled in their action. Mr. Dixon spoke ironically of Mr. W.H. Boulton not being opposed to the Mayor, and told the story of the Irishman driving his pig to market, and concealing from it the road he was going; and then Mr. Boulton said that he had not been able to make out whether Mr. Dixon was the pig going to market, or whether he (Mr. Boulton) was going to Limerick or Cork: and then Dr. Clarke and Mr. Boulton had a little controversy by themselves as to what Mr. B. had said in Council of Dr. C., and what Mr. B. ought to have said, all of a very amusing and instructive character, and then the Mayor put Mr. Boulton's motion to the meeting, and it was carried by an immense majority. The majority cheered lustily, but why they cheered we are quite certain not one of them knew.

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