New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-05-13
Farther by the Britannia.
FRANCE.
Assumption of the Railroads by the Govern
IncDg.
From Galignants MssssfgeF, April a

d.prt citation which has OF late taken place lh the
value Of this Kind Of property render It highly I'm
poftaut that the views OF the Provisional Govern
rnept respecting them should be speedily and clear
ly made know. IL would appear, however, rom
the proceedings OF meeting OF some ~ thc oNect-
ors Of the different lines held on Wednesday even
ing at the hote VI the Monster OF Finance, that
nothing whatever hes been as yet decided and
that the numerous reports Of appropriation when
have within the last NTH disturbed the pubic
mind are rather symptOmatic u desire OF the
Hen. Minister TO tsse these undertakings Toto ms
own hands, than Of auy fixed plan which be has
adopted 10 effect that purpose On w ednescay
morning. the different companies received circu.
lar from NJ GARNER Pages requesting them 10 send
each two delegates 10 the hotel ~ the evening Tor
what purpose aas not stated. though 1t was nat
ural to suppose that It was 70 learn what the Gov
eminent had resov we'd on la this matter. Ats O'Clock
about sixty gentlemen bad assembled Ia the pubic
reception room OF the Ministers hotel. and after
half an hours delay the Hon. gentlemen entered,
and Immediately proceeded 70 address the meeting;
III bad been kept waiting. he observed, expect
ing NJ Marie, Minister Of Public Works, but as his
colleague had not arrived. he thought II better not
10 detain the gentlemen present any longer bu; at
once proceed 10 inform them OF the motives which
had actusted him ia calling them together. he mad
no doub. that they were already aware tnat certain
parties connected with the railways had beentreat
ing with him relative 90 the appropriation OF the
lines by the State. Cries OF no, no! no one vas
entitled 70 do that T. here burst torth) AT all
events they must have heard at the Boorse' and
from public report, that To take the railways into
it's own hands wss the intention OF the Government
During the late revolution the companies had SUI
fersd exceedingly from the excuses OF certain
bri9ands aud ilidispOsed citizens, aud had II not
been ,iOr the eXertlOns OF some OF the puplls oil
the Polytechnic school and others, ~hO We're struck
with tue enormity OF the damage that me be thus
effected ia short space OF time. they would IN all
bav dis klLOketner-
II any other disturbance were to take place, ne
feared that those lines might be again placed IN
similar disastrous position, not having the power
10 prevent any attack by the III intentlOned ""
ing ~ the present roub ed state of things the WORK
men had in many cases deserted the workshops OF
the companies aud the latter had in other lnstan-
ces been obliged 10 make concessions To the men
who still remained at their duty the Govern
ment had. in fact already considered II necessary
to place one line under sequesuatIon AS To tue
lines still in course of execution, 1t was notorious
that some companies bad not been able 10
repsy 10 the State at the appointed time the
sums which it had expended IN their works IN
others the compsnies would evidently not be aole
10 finish their lines from the extreme diihcufty
which they would experience In getting their caii'
paid up while in the lines that were hnisned' ana
ut work the companies were not able to WORK them
with certainty and safety. Expression oil denial
from several directors
Looking therefore, at the general position OF
railway property he would put this question To the
gentlemen present-Wss IL not their interest 10
treat with the Government to take the lines into us
own hands Were they not IN TACT iorced' III
self defence to such a course ii some such step
were not adopted he could not see how the uhtln-
ished lines we're 10 be executed or the finished ones
worked. To guarantee complete security 10 ran,
way property, whether when tranquility preVaueu
or If any new disturbance should arlse-which'
however, he did not apprehend-he Thought the only
means TO be adopted " as that they should become
the property OF the State. La the present situation
of the finances 1t WAS impossible Tor the Govern
mem to afford pecunlsry aid to the companies enu
CONSEQUENTLY there was nothing To be thought OF
but the repurchase (rdchdt) Of thelnes. tie wished
il To be distinctly understood that he only sPoke IN
diyidualiy as Minister of Finances he had not yet
brought the subject formally before the Council o
State He was, in truth, placed IN avery dilnc ui'
position. between the companies aud tue STATE
which latter 1t was hardly necessary TO say, was
ia fact the people. II, in treating with the compa
MES he granted what they might deem Ian
equivalent the cry would probably be at once
raised by the State that he had gwen too inucn IL
on the contrary he agreed to only such conditions
as would please the State, the companies wouio
be greatly dissatisfied. and imsglne they had oeei
taken in He was thus placed between the swk
ward questions of too much and TOO Mite ne
should now proceed 70 state to the gentlemen pre-
sent three modes of efeciing the rePurchase OF TOE
lines:
J. II might be effected in ready money. at the
present quotations at the BOurse. 2 AT the prices
OF the day by q conversion into per cent. Stocs
par. g. To assume that the present depressed
condition of Railway Stock was unnatoral ana
forced and in consequence 10 Tx on some anterior
days quotations at the BOhrse, and effect the re
purchase that basis this date might be the lotn
of February i've thong ht the Hon. Minister said
or any other that might be agreed to between the
contracting parties; or the price OF the last sA
months might be taken payable IN rentei or again
as far as the working lines are concerned, calcu
lst,on might be made on their revenues snd al
agreement entered on accordingly. He threw Out
these different modes OF proceeding for the consld
GRAFTON OF the gentlemen before him, aud would be
happy 10 hear any remarks from them on the sub
iect He deemed it. however, as we'll 20 observe
before he concluded, that be thought it was Tor th'
interest Of the companies to treat with him. rathe
than allow the matter 10 be brought before the Ma
tion,l Assembly he was well disposed to show
then, every induigenc aud they might not expert
snce 40 much Of that feeling from the body which
he sluded-it was Ia fact, more easy to treat viii
ooe person than with many collected together.
rba Reurssentstive OF the St Epenne 70 Lyon
Comn,py observed that the plans proposed by IN
Hon M,ni.ter could not suit his line, as its share
were not quoted at the Bourse; In addition he ha
o,sm.,k thar the State bad no right oil reparchAs
In his case as the ST. Elienne line haa pe'pstOs
concession. 60, ,.,.
AZ dAtoo. Shee lfor the Dleppe Company mus
remind the gentlemen present '"e' ~! -,
authority TO act in this matter they ,sPreseuse
i've. ,.pe the shareholders, bat could not Tres
with the safe. unless authorized to do 50 by
general meeting .res.
M GARNER PAGES observed that he was periec
lyaware of that circumstance; and ihs' lnel9Io,
his object, in calling them together, was "e'siS
hear their opinions. .,;..A e
NJ Barholony Orleans Company infuI ,s ~
wa. necessary thai all tbs companies should ue
conioio,lv, or was il allow able for any one 10 ~
separately. ,o,,o.,
came forward separately, he would listen 10 u al
appreciate its position
viscount Denis Benoist thouen Company W"
Cd TO observe that the company when nc IePt
ssnted had no difficulty whatever IN managing
line: what had affected the various railways no
Mwork was the rumors that had got into clfcul
ton Of the Government having an intention OF
hing them into its own hands--itwas 10 that sour