The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-10-15

and rin.cotton, and ovehS ihtrd-yiycerine,
which is fourteen times more expansive
than pOwder!i auftosi,esEsl - iE7a i.
i The speakers were General kahone and
Messrs. George w. Boiling, OfPetersburg
James Sheifey, Of Smsth Deane, Of Lynch
burg Wallace, of Petersburg; Leonard
and DR.. Robinson, Of Norfolk and Waller
r.. Staples, Of Montgomery. Five for
consolidation against three opposed
to It.. The argument. was able; but
chiefly q repetition of what you
had in Richmond. There was very little
added to 1t. The. ,consolidationists con-
tended that the zone man" was neces-
sary to harmony of management to secure
through freights-citing instances Of great
success from that mode, Of operations
General Malone especially ensconsing him
self in Fort Wayne--or rather the Fort
Wayne and other railroads connected with
It: and Mr.. Wallace taking the same
ground, and giving the opinions of leading
railroad men on the same side. On the
other hand, II was denied that the one
man was necessary to harmony and low
tariffs and equal facilities. The SKpgllsh
system was adduced to prove this, and Mr..
Deane alluded especially to the lines COM
netting with the Virginia through line that
were managed by different presidents for
the different roads. These lines had re-
sorted to the only mode of commanding
through freights-low taritfs-andthus they
had an advantage. The one man Twas not
only not necessary, but q consolidation
under him would produce endless contu-
sion and local jealousy. !,
Mr.. Deane uttered some very sound
views on the subject Of tariffs and low
fares for controlling and increasing the
freight and travel on railroads and canals.
He mentioned the case of the sale OF the
Dover Coal mines, on James river near
this city. A wealthy company was at first
about to buy them, the price being salts
factory; but finding that the canal charged
a toll of two cents per ton per mile upon
coal, they abandoned the enterprise.
Hearing Of this, he, Mr.. Deane, being q
member Of the Board Of Directors of the
canal, procured a reduction of the toll
from two cents to half cent per ton per
mile. The result was the company con-
Guided the purchase and brought to tho
vicinity OF Richmond some half million
of dollars for purchasing and operating the
mine, and are now raising more coal than
all the other mines Of the region put to-
gether. The illustration is happy and
timely. THE canal receives by the re-
duction great deal more than it would
have received at two cents per ton, and
the country is benefited by the diSburse-
ments in operating the mine and the con-
verting of the coal into money.
Both Messrs. Shetley and Staples paid
tributes to the enterprise and indomitable
energy of Richmond and her claims to
consideration. Both argued that consoli-
dation would be fatal to her. Mr.. Staples
thought that Richmond since the war had
built a city nearly as large as Norfolk out
of the ruins Of the great fire Of the Sd of
April, 1865; and he rccited some facts OF
her condition at the beginning of the war !;
her thirty sail Of fine vessels engaged in
coasting and foreign tradc-her expectation
of zoe, 900 barrels -four per annum-her inl-
portation of coffee, &C., with other matters,
to prove the activity and skill with which
her citizens had pursued their way to sue
cess in commerce under every disadvan-
tage of railroad determinations against her.
Mr.. Shelley introduced his figure-of the old
Duke of Norfolk, who refused his aid years
ago to give a market to the southwest, en-
dcavoring, now that he discovers the wealth
of the fair Princess of the Southwest, to
win her for his bride, and nolcaS rolens to
force her into the embrace Of consolidation.
incidentally this city was often alluded
TO; and DR.. Robinson, Of Norfolk, took a
ride on the airline to Richmond. He
inveighed against it as ruinous to the
canal. He was pathetic. The apprc-
tension almost broke his heart! The
fact is, the painful reflections of our
friends of the southsidc upon the sad fate
of the canal made me most melancholy.
thought it pity to distress them so.
They are such warm friends of the canal !.
They are opposed to anybody taking
freight from it but themselves. That is all
act only allowable to friends! and one
which they have pursued with pertina-
city which entities them to the gratitude
of the canal and all its friends. Well,
painful as it is, know you will have to
build the airline, and when We take from
the southsidc the freight they have here.
tofore relieved the canal of, they may be
consolcd by the reflection that the canal
will be able to pay them Off in tears; for
her fountains are abundant for all emcr-
gencies of grief such as that heynOw feel!
What world of heart disease this airline
will produce in Petersburg and Norfolk!
An interesting incident Of thu. debate
was grand donation to the cause of con-
solidatiOn made by the very excellent
representative of Petersburg, Mr.. Wallace.
He expressed the conviction that "consoli-
dation" would be of little or no advantage
to Petersburg, and City Point, her port,
would have to be abandoned; but Peters
burg freely and heartily gave up "City
Point for the good of the commerce of
the State. The gift was munifcent-un-
equalled by any yet made by man to man
kind! Few present know City Point and
appreciated the gift-all were struck with
the emotion Of the giyer, one of the best Of
men. Having some knowledge of City
Point, it seemed to me that the pathos OF
the act was disproportioned to the deed ;
but then knew the love the speaker en-
tertained for the point surrendered. | was
reminded of the touching scene of the
parting between an aged countryman and
his only son: The mother had first given
her counsels precious to the scion of the
house, and presented him with Bible.
The old man then advanced, and choking
for utterancc, said: "Good bye, John
good bye, my son-follow your mothers
adyice-read your Bible, and-keep your
bowels open!" II
In the course Of the debate an attack was
directed upon Colonel Owen. The charge