Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-12-07

cubISeS Has uecu cotdUiisncu dllu u ~ Las, IL IL
absolutely impossible to tell whether the average
rate has been reduced or increased. But
"rather guess" the charges have been increased,
for the residents along the line of this railroad
are coolly informed that it is not only unjust for
them to expect reduced rates of transportation,
but even iinpolitic to ask for them. And the
duty of ''cheerfully" paying rates that would
make the States investment profitable is gravely
and atfectionately urged upon them. This ls
done too when none of the expectations of the
public in reference to cheap transportation have
been realized, wher the actual charges are dou-
Que what it costs the company to do the work,
when the net revenue is more than nine per
cent. on the capital stock paid in, and nearly six
per cent. on the entire cost of the road to jack
sons river. If the Board, aided by the "advice
of the Superintendent" would bestow even or.
binary "labor and care" on scrutiny into the
number of officers and employees of the compa.
ny, think it might possibly result in the Ids.
covery" that the business of the road could be
transacted with smaller number, and that the
salaries of most of them are much beyond the
amount paid for the same grade of talent and
capacity in other callings and employments IN
the State.
Heretofore the annual reports have contained
list of the principal officers of the company,
with the amount OF salary received by EACH
And in this there was an obvious propriety, for
with the exception of the President and Direc-
tors, the Board not only fixes the rate of CON-
pensation of the officers but also regulates their
number. The publication of this list, therefore,
in addition to the useful information it furnished
also constituted salutsry check upon, and So
cured proper responsibility in the exercise Of
this important power. 1t is, however, entirely
omitted from the report of the year just closed.
But in the Superintendent report, among other
items of expense we have the following: 'Ssla.
ries, $13,564;" and this item occurs in two of
the statements of the Treasurer's report.
Every reader, therefore, who has no other in.
formation than is furnished by this report, would
readily conclude that this sum covered the total
amount of salaries paid to the officers Of the
Central Road for the year 1865
But am satisfied that this cannot be the case.
For learn from the report of 1857 that the ag
gregate amount of salaries that year was nearly
fifty thousand dollars, and have heard OF no
reduction either in the number or pay OF the
officers. Last year, the salaries of the President,
Engineer, Superintendent, Treasurer and his as.
sistants, and the Road Master, alone, amounted
to more than $4,000.
Hence it appears to me that this sum of $lS,-
564, can embrace but small portion of the a.
mount actually paid in salaries; and the state
ment so far from giving information to the
Stockholders, tends to mislead and deceive them.
But make no charge of intentional conceal
meDt or deception on the part of either the
Board or any officer of the company, for l be-
leve none exists. refer to this matter as illus.
tratipg the evils incident to that want of full
and clear statement, that characterizes in sc
striking degree the annual report OF the Presl'
dent and Directors for the year 1858. The sal
utary effect of the action of the Stockholders, in
the annual meeting in 1857, in reference to
ad.heads," is exhibited 10 the fact, as report
ed by the President, that in but eleven cases
were free tickets granted during the year.
But the Stockholders, OF their last meeting, as
if alarmed at the success of their own work, re-
pealed one of the most important resolutions on
this subject. l refer to the one requiring that q
statement of the number of free tickets granted
should accompany the annual report of the Pres
ident and Directors
AS long as the Stockholders act as though
they deemed the principal object of their annual
meetings to be Stree ride" to Richmond, they
may continue to expect unsatisfactory reports,
high charges and extravaganza salaries.
Dec. s, 1853. A FARMER.