The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-12-07
n,,cAL srArrnRs.


p.,o.n CoryxNrioN. This body met
;r The Senate Chamber 81 the State Capitol
s.lhaif past IL o'clock, yesterday, Col EpM' D
EoNTAiNE resuming the chair.
After the Convention was called to order,
Mr.. Sedden, the Secretary, read the fol.
lowing report from the committee appointed
the day before of representatives of various
Internal Improvement Companies OF the
State. which, on being debated. was passed.
The report reads thus s.
The committee to whom was referred the
communication of the Board Of Public
Works addressed to this Convention, with
instructions to report upon the subjects refer
red to therein, and upon such other matters
a. they may deem Of importance to the In
terests represented in this Convention. re-
specially report That they have given to
those subjects their deliberate consideration,
and as the result of their deliberations, would
recommend for the adoption of the Conven-
ton the following preamble and resolutions:
Whereas one Of the objects OF the Board
of Public Works in suggesting the adoption
of uniform rate of charges, was to prevent
the practice of injurious competition, any
such cases were likely to OCCUR, and to secure
To all the improvements in the State some
ADEQUATE return for the investment Of indi-
yid,ials and the Commonwealth in them; and
whilst this committee cannot recommend any
measure that will prevent destructive rivalry
hetween works in which the State is largely
interested, they trust that the manifest injury
which must result to each other, viii be suffi-
cient to prevent IL; but if il should not, they
suppose that the power to do so, may rest in
the Board Of Public Works through their
Directors, who would, if necessary. interpose
to arrest SO great an evil to the Common
wealth when it shall have occurred
ohn fSav fSIaIv tt9xa
policy, but it is the duty of each of the inter-
nal Improvement companies of this State to
arrange their rates of charges, and to regulate
their expenses, so as to secure a fair profit on
their inv estments.
Resolved, That this is due alike to the pri-
yate stockholders, to the State, and to the
bondholders, in all cases where loans exist, or
are contemplated to carry on their works to
completion.
Resolved, That spirit of rivalry which
may lead to ruinous reduction of rates, is La
BILE to just condemnation and should be re-
strained.
Resolved, That in view OF the many dill
ferent and important considerations which
variously and to different degrees, influence,
modify and control the policy which each
company represented in this Convention
should adopt in relation to its rates of tolls
and passenger fares, and OF which practical
experience enables the Directory of each to
be :the best Judges in the case of their own
company; it is inexpedient to establish or
recommend any uniform rates of tolls and
fares for the works of internal improvements
in this State
Resolved, That the practice of giving free
tickets and free passage over the public
works of this Commonwealth to various class
of persons, is liable to and is becoming a
great and growing abuse, most difficult to re-
strain and injurious to the revenues and in
terests of the companies owning those works
and of the Commonwealth and that to avoid
invidious prejudices and imputations against
MES to adopt and strictly enforce uniform
restriction of the privilege of free passage
either with or without free tickets to the fol-
lowing classes of persons only in the inter
communication between different companies
1st. The President of the United States, and
officers and agents of the Post Office De-
partment
I'd. The Governor, first and second Audi
tors, Treasurer, Secretary of the Common
wealth, and Board of Public Works of the
Commonwealth and their Secretary. E
Sd. The Presidents and Elk Presidents, Su-
perintendents, Directors, State Proxies, Chief
Engineer and Principal Assistants, in actual
service of all the Railroads of this Common
wealth, and to the President, Directors, State
Proxies, Chief Engineer and acting principal
assistants of the James River and Kanawha
Canal, Conductors and Baggage Agents of
routes connected at either of its termini with
the route over which the free passage is Civ
en-, and any special agents employed in the
place of any of the above named persons.
Of all of whom as we'll as of their substitutes
the production of a free ticket or pass, or
a certificate from the President or Superin-
tendent of the Company to which such per-
son is attached, shall be required as an evi
dence of their being entitled to free pas
sage.
18th. Officers of any Telegraph office not
exceeding two to each, by which Geographic
dispatches are sent gratuitously for the COM
pany.
Provided, however, that the subject of free
tickets affecting persons passing exclusively
over their road be under the control of each
Board respectively.
Resolved, That the present rates of COM
pensatiOn for the transportation of the United
States Mail are much lower than those re-
ceived for the transportation of other freight
at much less speed, and wholly dispropor-
tiOnate to the services rendered.
On motion, the Convention then adjourned
to meet again at half past o. clock.
EVENING SESSION.
The Convention met pursuant to adjournment
Col. foNTAINE resum1Dg the chair.
Mr.. C. F. M. GARNETT offered the following reso.
lutions, which were read:
Resoved, That the Convention do urge on our
Senators and Representatives in Congress the pro
prety OF taking prompt measures to secure the pas
sage OF an act to refund to railroad Companies all n.
duty paid on iron imported since the 4th of March
lS5 and to reduce the duty all railroad iron here.
after imported. A'A0
Resolved, That our Senators and REPRESENTATIVES
De also to procure the of an ACT
capitalize the mail pay the leading lines of rail
road, BY paying to each company that sum which
would yield, at per cent. per annum an Amount
equal 70 the mail pay to which each company would
Resolved, That the Legislature be petitioned To |
amend the railroad law to fix the weight
OF ton at 1000 pounds in estimating the tariff of
freights on railroads. and to specify the limit which
company shall be allowed to charge a. ian average
OF cts per ton per mile.n
Resolved, That the transportation of freight with
ONE breakang bulk should be ENCOURAGED a. far a.
practicabie and that wherever such an arrap
70 made between two or more companies the follov
ing regulations be recommended for their govern
mont. $500 e~'oAA-
Each company shall furnish for the through bus;.
ness number of cars proportional a. nearly a. pos
aloie TO the length Of their several roads, and that
% correct any inequality arising under this aeree
menf, the company owning q ear used on smother
foad shall receive one.eighth part Of the freirbt
charged on that car load by the company ON WHORE
road 1t . running. =
The Losses where the facts can be clearly
%. shall be paid BY the company ON whose road ~.
Ooo oeauYal and WhAn fhars a.. I..-ra rAo