The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-01-04
aTnE STATE srOCK.n

prehends the intent and meaning of our ar.
ticle of the Dist December, upon "The State
Stock" We have never had any design TO
"war upon the Knoxville and Danville road"
and if its Construction will add to the bust.
ness of Knoxville and the prosperity of the
surrounding country, we shall be graft
fed to learn, at any time, that arrangements
have been made to ensure its completion 10
The Kentucky line. But we protested, and we
still protest, against the proposed transfer Of
the stock owned by the State in the East
Tennessee and Georgia Company. Because,
We are confident such transfer would result
injuriously TO the States interest, to the in.
terests of the individual stockholders, as cal
culatec to dcpreciate the value OF both stock
and bonds; because it would give the Ken
ticky Company virtually the control of this
Road, and endanger IFS success as paying
enterprise TO the stockholders for the next
twenty years; and because there is a private
speculation ut the bottom of the proposition
to "transfer," of which we presume the edi-
tor Of the Wing was unadvsed when he
wrote his article. We have always given him
credit for sincerity in his denunciations OF
such burrowing transactions, and we are con.
fidenl that, when he comes to understand all
about the matter in question, rs he probably
...tt A. l. -
against the proposed transfer, ms we have
done and rs we againdo most earnestly, but
will denounce the Whole business with his
usual vehemence and disregard of conse-
quences. We have no disposition to dwell
or enlarge upon the subject, or to speak dis.
paragingly of individuals connected with it;
but this paper identified itself with the build
ing of the East Tennessee and Georgia road
when it was really odious in the estimation
of many to have any thing to do with it; at
time when the enterprise had neither money,
patronage, but few friends and large num-
Der of powerful enemies, and we have stood
by and sought TO sustain the few men who
were most actively engaged in its construc-
ton and without whom it never would have
been built in face Of the determined opposi.
lion encountered at every step. And now
that the line is completed and at work, and
the country is realizing, in every department
of its business, the advantages we have ever
contended would flow from the enterprise,
and the stockholders (both State and in
divlduals) are beginning to look forward TO
the time when the Company shall be freed
from debt and its stock readiy command par
don't ask MS to look on and see the STAT all
knocked into the fire" without trying to pre-
vent ito see The control Of the road placed
in the possession of another Company, who
may use its means and its revenues for other
than legitimate purposes. Build the Knox
vile and Kentucky road, build it by all
means, gentlemen, either MS far as the Coal
Fields and the Iron Banks, or all the way
through to the Kentucky linc-we Would not
if we could throw as much rs astraw in your
way, provided always that You don't ask the
privilege of using the East Tennessee and
Georgia Road for that purpose. Against that
use we protest, and not against the building
Of your road. Against the proposition to
transfer the control of this Company we war,
and not against the Knoxville and Danviile
enterprise.
We repeat we have no disposition TO dwell
on the subject; members in both houses of
the Legislature are in possession of all the
facts pertaining to it, and if that body, after
the developments that will be made, shall lin
their wisdom, see proper to pass the "trans-
fer BILL" so be it. We are confident we are
right in our position; and are equally conf
dent that the measure will be defeated.