Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-26
MEETING OF THE CITIZENS OF WASH
lSGTON.

the Nayur. IN consequence Of IN. extraordinary
attempt made by the Ba ltim"re and ONO Kali
road Company, to interfere with the Interests u,
this city before the Congress OF the United
States. was held at the City Hall, On Wed"es'
day evening, February, 30, 1888
Gen. John Van Ness va. called to the chair,
and Peter Force was appointed Secretary
The following preamble aud resolutions, sub
mitted BY R. S Coke. Esq were read and con
sldered; aud the question being taken upon each
separately, were unanimously adopted
Whereas a memDr,ai has been presented to the
Congress of the United STAGES. by and on behalf
of the Baltimore AMI OHIO Railroad Company,
with the avow-d purpose OF inducing that body
TO withhold the aid which the urgent necessities
OF the CITY Of Washington have compelled It to
solicit: aid Whereas the failure, on the part OF
the city or Washington. to comply with the tera's
of its subscription to the stock Of the Chesapeake
and 0rio Canal Cumpanv, may involve. as It's d.
rect and immediate consequence, the Forfeiture
of the instruments already paid on said subscrIp-
ton to the amount of seven hundred and htty
thousand dollars, and az the scarcely more re-
mote or less certain result. the abandonment OF
that noble aud magnificent enterprise, and thus
involve the loss to the whole body 0f stock
holders, including as well the State at Mary.
land and the United States. as the three
corporations of the District of Columbia, and
large number of individuals. Of the entire amount
by them respectively paid: aud whereas, IN the
opinion OF this meeting, the controversies which
have long subsisied. aud still continue. between
the Railroad Company and the Canal Company.
are eces.arIly aud improperly brought Ia be ar
upon the application which the CITY ct Washing
ton has presented far relief from its heavy prru-
MARY endorsements: and whereas. this meet
iny feels an assured ntidpnce that should II, al
any time, please Congress t" institute full IN
nuiry into the or.in aud causes of these cOntrO-
VERSES, and the manner and spirit Nth which
they have been prosecuted bv the parties respec-
lively, the result will establish the TACT that
gross injustice has been done to the Canal Com
panv aad its Stockholders, by their anita
gonist, and exhibit the dislngenuouS- and de-
ceptive character of The charges again rem Nv
ed in the memorial of the Railroad Com any:
and whereas, IN consequence ct the renewal 81
these accusations before the Legislature of the
tinlon, an opportunity ha. been afforded to that
body To act as an impartial tribunal between the
c"ntrndiry parties, to investigate the merits ct
the dl,,utes which have unfortunately so long
prevailed. and to adjust, upon terms OF equity
aud Justice, the pretenslnns and rights which el-
Their NAV have preferred: Therefore,
BE II resoiced.
|. That ine citizens Of the CITY of Washing
ton regard the course which has been pursued by
the sulrnad Company in this matter, as an un-
Warrantablp interference before Congress, with
the application presented TO that body by the
Corporation of Washington
2. That we consider the memorial oil the Rail-
road Company as equal, disingenuous and de-
cepive in its character. calculated TO mslead
Congress, giving false color to the contr"ver.
sps IN which that company has Involved Itself
with the Canal Company, and thus to induce
Congress u wi;hhold the relief which the pe,u-
MARY embarr a.smen's Of the City of Washing
ton have compelled it to s"liclt
S That, in the opi ion Of this meeting, the
existence "f disputes BET tween those two rival en-
terprises, or the merit. of the respective claims
and prrtences ought. IN no manner. to affect The
application which the City OF Washington has
presented to Congress
That inasmuch as the CITY Of Washington
is but stakeholder in the said Canal Company,
possessing only the same weight and lntiurncr 10
is deliberations as are enjnyed by the United
States. M reason Can be pert eiVed why II should
be held responsible for the conduct Of the said
Canal COMPANY, even should II be made to DIP.
pear thar that Company had 'nerl'ed the accusa-
tons which have been preferred against it.
5. That Congress be earnestly and respectful
ly solicited to grant, with as little delay as pos
siblr, the relief which has beer prayed
6. That. entertaining an entire confidence in
the correctness of the course which has been pur.
sued bv the Canal Company throughout the un-
fortunate controversies in which 1t mas been IN
VOWED bv the acts of the Railroad Company, and
satisfied that such would be the result OF full
examination Of the subject BY any intelligent and
impartial Il ibuna, this meeting cannot torbear re.
guessing Congress, holding a large amount OF
stock in the Canal Company, and a. deeply int.
rested in the results anticipated from the sue.
cessfuI accomplishment of the great work Tor
winch that company has been created, to avail it.
self of the opportunity presented by the men"ri.
al of the Railroad Cpmpany preferring charges
of grave import. to cause. when ITS convenience
will admit. thorough investigation to b" made
into the origin of the said controversies. the mode
in which they have been conducted by the respec-
tive parties, to ascertain whether either or which
t.fo.