Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-06
W 0 r C E S r E R:
FRIDAY. TEB. O. 1868.

follows -
Voted, that William Gray, w. r. p.
Washburn and Joshua d. Ball, being stock.
holders of this corporation, be a committee to
confer with Il like number of stockholders OF
the Western railroad corporation, upon terms
to be agreed upon for uniting the stock and
various interests OF the two companies into a
joint union.
''Voted, that such committee be authorized
to secure the necessary legislation for the ac-
complishment of such union, and to employ
legal counsel to give advice in behalf Of this
corporation. ,.
'tVoted, that when this meeting adjourn 1t
shall be to meet again at any given time ana
place, on five days published notice, at the
call ofthis committee, to hear its report, and
to take action upon any business that may
come before 1t.
"Voted, that the clerk be directed to fur
nish copy OF these doings to the president
and directors ofthe Western railroad corpora
ton.
''Voted that the committee Of three now
appointed, have full power to fill any vacan-
cies in its organization which may arise from
any cause, provided the selection Of indiyidu-
ais for such vacancies be from stockholders Of
this corporation"
Debate followed, in the course of which
Hon. Levi Lincoln of Worcester thought it
was best for the stockholders of the Boston
and Worcester Railroad to first settle the
question as to whether twas for their interest
to unite with the Western road. He argued
that it was not for their interest to do so. He
held that opinion seventeen years ago and he
had not changed since that time The stock
holders of both roads were getting good divi-
deudS from the fidelity with which their af-
fairs were managed, and they could not be bet
tered by union. Each corporation has al
ready about all it can manage, and he was not
sure than an increase Of property would in
crease the profits and dividends. If the Bos
ton and Worcester road is the weaker force
now, as Mr.. Blake had stated, he did not know
what would become of it when the Western
road had swallowed ii up altogether.
William Brigham, Esq, objected to Mr..
Blake's plan, and proposed as an amendment
the following preamble and vote:
"Whereas, the consolidation of the Boston
and Worcester and Western railroads has
been proposed by a committee of the board of
trade and the latter corporation has petitioned
the legislature for authority to construct a
railroad from Worcester to Boston and also
to unite with other roads, but no proposition
has yet been made by the Western road to
this corporation in regard to such union /;
and
"Whereas, whatever doubts may be enter
tanned in view of the present prosperous con-
dition of both roads and for other reasons, as
to such a union, so far as the interest of the
stockholders of the corporation is concerned
the subject nevertheless deserves the respect
full attention of this corporation, and ought to
be deliberately, carefully and dispassionately
considered;
''Voted, that Il committee of - stockhold-
ers not members of the board of directors be
appointed to consider the subject, to confer
with such persons or corporations as they
deem expedient, and to report to the stock
holders, and that said committee be instructed
to appear before the legislature or the proper
CT mmittee thereof and to demonstrate respect
fully but urgently against granting the prayers
of said petitioners"
In the course of the discussion which fol
lowed president Twichell read memorial
signed by 80 stockholders representing 2lOG
shares, stating that union was for the inter-
est of both roads.
The plan of Mr.. Blake was advocated by
himself with great persistency and ability
by Sidney Bartlett, Esq, counsel for the
Western rnilroad, Mr. Harris of Springfield
aud c. NJ. Ellis, Esq, OF Boston, while it was
opposed earnestly by ex-governors Lincoln
and Washburn, Mr. Bemis of Waterfowl,
and w. Brigham, Esq, of Boston. The
speeches of Gov. Lincoln attracted special at
tention by their high tone and directness A
noticeable fact was, that no man who owns
stock only IN the Worcester was heard
advocating union; they came exclusively
from those who had an interest, some of then
large interest, in the Western. Three rea.
sons stood out above all the rest in their pleas
l. To end controversy. Not one intimateC
that the managers of the Worcester had moi
done everything in honor to preserve concord
and establish peace. 1t was coolly taken fol-
granted, as in the English newspaper crit
cisms upon our war, not only that there was
blame to be attached to both parties, but ir
equal measure to eachi 9. To avoid hostile
legislation. However presented, this wa:
rightly viewed as simply threat and out o.
place in discussion anywhere. 3. Economy
of management This is proper argument
and deserves the fullest investigation; but
assertions without proof, however frequently
repeated, are entitled to little consideration
A vote was first taken on Mr.. Brigham's
amendment which was rejected, 2251 to 1862
While the committee were counting the
above vote a ballot was taken for directors,
which resulted in the unanimous election of
the following gentlemen, each having 1876:
Ginery Twichell, Daniel Denny, Nathaniel
Hammond, Benz. T. White, Emory Washburn,
Edward S. Tobey, Peter I. Homer, Isaac
Emery, ID. Waldo Lincoln. This is the same
as the old board, except that Mr.. Tobey takes
the place Of Israel Lombard, deceased.
After some delay, a vote was had on Mr.
Blake's proposition, he having amended it in
two or three particulars, one being the substi.
tuition Of the name OF Francis Bacon for VIM
Gray. 1t stood 2058 in favor to 1918 against
The meeting, after some business of nc
general interest, adjourned about o'clock,
having been in continuous session six hours.
1t will be noticed that 1876 shares voted in
the election of directors while the largest al
any other ballot Con Mr.. Brigham's amend
ment) was only 4Sl3. Why were these 5000
not heard from? Because the proxies, mad
Yertently, gave authority only to vote for d.
rectors. 1t is very safe to conclude that a
large proportion of all who desired the re-
election Of a board like the present must be