From the Chenango Union of Norwich, NY
Thursday, May 13, 1875

Important Railroad Meeting

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   It is well known that the Utica, Ithaca and Elmira Railroad Company have been negotiating with the Receivers of the Midland with a view of purchasing the DeRuyter and Auburn Branch. A bill to enable the sale has been pending in the Legislature for several weeks. Our citizens have been somewhat exercised in regard to the matter, fearing that if sold, the rails would be taken up and the road abandoned between this place and DeRuyter. With this understanding, the project was universally condemned, and our representatives in the Senate and Assembly instructed to oppose the bill.

   Understanding this opposition, Mr. Burt, of Boston, the President of the Utica, Ithaca and Elmira Railroad, on Saturday evening last visited out place and met quite a large number of our citizens at the Court House, where explained in full the objects of the bill, and argued that the project would be beneficial to all residing on the line of the Branch.

   He proposed - of they purchased the Road - to take up the rails from DeRuyter to the Otselic trestle, and with them make connection with the Syracuse and Chenango Valley Road at Shed's Corners, and by this with the Central. He was willing to bind the Company to operate the Branch from the trestle to Norwich, but objected to the proposition to insert a clause in the bill compelling the Company to lay the necessary track to connect the Branch with the main line at Shed's Corners. Mr. Burt was very frank in his statements, and while not willing to bind the Company, promised that the people on the line of the Branch should never have cause for regret the transfer of the Branch.

   He drew a glowing picture of the future of his road, and of the advantage it would be to the public as a competing coal line, now that the D.L.& W. and Delaware and Hudson Companies have consolidated. He received earnest and respectful attention throughout, but failed to convince all our people that it would be to their interest to agree to the project.

   Some favored the movement, but we think the majority of those present expressed an opinion hostile to it, believing that it would be better to await events, in the hope that the Branch may yet give us a through connection in the west. It is almost certain that the bill will not pass.