Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-12
For the Spectator.
To the Stockholders OF the Virginia Central
Railroad.


To the Stockholders OF the Virginia Contra
Railroad.
GENTLEMEN:-The time is near at hand wheI
we shall be called upon 10 elect President ofth
company. 1t has been apparent to the Stockhold
ers, and the public generally, West of The noun
tains. for sometime past, that there is 'scre"
loose" somewhere in the organization OF the com
pany. The work has dragged its slow length
along" until the people of this region have got on
of all patience with the whole concern. We be
lieve the only remedy for the evils complained o
is, to reorganize the administration of the compa
ny. There has been too much old fugyls'n appa
rent in lis management. The President and d.
rectory of the company are all most excellent gen
temen. but they are not suited for the places they
ILL., We want more energy, more activity, more
nerce in the concern. AS the subject has already
been discussed somewhat at length through tht
press, we BEG through the same medium to cal
your attention to gentleman in every way quail
fled for tho office of President. We allude tt
Hugh w. Shelley, Esq. His long service in the
Legislature has familiarized him with the whole
Internal Improvement policy of the State and es
pecially with the details Of our company. lie has
in manner been the father of the company, and
so far as financial skill and ability constitute quail
ifcaticns for the Presidency of a Railroad compa'
ny, no man in Virginia is his superior.
We want a change Of Administrations we
want to break down that policy of the company
which has kept our stock down TO 5O per cent be-
low par, by applying the profits Of the road to its
extension, instead paying dividends to the Stock
holders. We want to open the eyes OF the Stock
holders to the fact that the only dividends ever
pretended to be paid, have been by issuing dIvl-
dend bonds payable ten years after date, most Of
which are now lying in the office at Richmond
and many ofhe Stockholders in the country Who'll
ly ignorant that such bonds have ever been issued
or that they are entitled to them. We want tc
give death blow TO that policy which has COM
mit.ed to the HANDS of incompetent and nexperl-
enced young men, the important duties legitimate
ly belonging to the Office of Engineer. We want
men who know their business well enough to lay
the track in such way, as not to require that II
shall De taken up and relaid at great expense be-
fore the cars have ever gone upon It, This thing
we are informed has occurred between Staunton
and Waynesborough. We are opposed to the pol
icy of giviag men office in responsible positions in
the Company, for no other reason under Gods
heaven that we can see, than that they are rea
ted to some Of the ''powers that be-" we de-
mand that qualification shall be test for office,
Wnen ~ NC pdlu VI tiiO
ury Of the company, and when the bunders Of the
company cost more to rectify them than would pay
men of undoubted fitness for the place. We have
only limited at some of the matteFs demanding your
attention, and investigation, and if found to exist
demanding the only correction known to Us, a
change of administration.
| We want such President and Directory, as
will have the nerve and energy to second the bold
and manly policy, which we feel satisfied the pres,
ert distinguished Chief Engineer Of the company
has chalked out for himself in his department.
And let it be distinctly understood that in advoca
ting this change we impute nothing dshonorablt
or disreputable to Col. Fountain for we know tina
more high toned chivalrous gentleman is M
where to be found and doubtless the policy ne has
pursued, he has deemed the best for the compa
yin this however we differ with him in opin
ion, and TO effect change of policy, we are con
strained to seek change of men. In regard Il
some of the appointments of which we complain
the responsibility probably does not rest altogethe
on his shoulders. They are not good appoint
Inents, however, by whomsOever made. and shoulC
be corrected. MANY STOCKHOLDERS.