The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-12-08

sing tho amendment for the reason that
the power conferred by the clause would
enable the Virginia Express Company TO
compete with the Adams Express by put
ting IL out Of their power to purchase and
hold the stock of the company, as they had
done In the case of the National Express
Company. The question was, put and the
amendment lost.
Mr.. Davis moved to amend the fourth
section, which authorizes the company
to secure by contract the entire express
transportation business over the line Of
any railroad for period not exceeding ten
years, by striking out the word ten and in
sorting one instead.
Mr.. Lee moved to amend the amendment
by inserting five instead of one; which
amendment prevailed.
The same section places the authorized
rates of the company within fifty per cent.
above the maximum rate authorized by law
to be charged by the railroad company.
Mr.. Lee moved to amend this clause by in
sorting instead of the maximum rates au-
thorized by law, "the average rates
charged by such railroad company during
the contract" The amendment was
adopted.
Mr.. Goode moved that the entire Sec
tion be stricken out. He urged that his
amendment be adopted, and hoped that the
Legislature would not attempt to break
down monopoly by creating one.
Mr.. Kelley urged Mr.. Goodies amend
mcnt. The clause was not consistent with
the principles of the general railroad law
Of the State. lie was opposed to granting
railroad or express companies any further
powers, when the restrictions already
placed upon them were insufficient to keep
them within bounds. The principle con-
tanned in the bill was fallacous and unjust.
Mr.. Lee advocated the bill. If there was
to be monopoly, let it be in the hands of
Virginians. Give this company a fair
showing, and it would yield to the State
large revenue.
Mr.. Herndon was glad that Messrs.
Goode and Kelley had taken the ground
they had. He approved Of the Efforts of
the gentlemen applying for the passage of
the bill to build upon the ruins of the Ma
tional Express Company company that
could compete with the mammoth monopo-
ly now existing among us, and he wished
them success. But he was opposed to
granting them a monopoly. He was vii.
ling to advocate bill that would place all
express companies upon an equal footing
by stringent legislation, but he was OPP
posed to monopoly.
Mr.. Evans opposed the amendment. He
urged the necessity of competition, and
thought that the section was necessary in
order to enable this company to compete
with the Adams Express Company. Let
the section be stricken out, and the mono
poly now exercised by this gigantic con-
Germ could never be broken down.
Mr.. AtkisSon moved that the bill be
passed by for the present, in order to give
the members time for considering the bill.
Mr.. Garnett, with the permission Of Mr..
Atkisson, explained the necessity Of imme-
date action upon the bill. The effects Of
the National Express Company would be
offered for sale on Monday next, and unless
the bill was acted upon before that time,
the gentlemen of the company who owned
largely would lose their opportunity Of
bidding on them.
Mr.. Kelley again rose and urged his OBJ
iections, renewing the hope that the men,
bers would consider we'll before they took
the initiative Of chartering monopolics,
which could only be fraught with evil re-
suits to the State.
Mr.. Herndon argued against the right to
grant monopolies in railroad contracts,
and quoted the decision of Judge Lewis III
the case Of Sanford rs. Railroad Compa- |
MES, in the courts Of Pennsylvania, in sup
port Of his argument.
: Mr.. Leonard took ground in favor Of
striking out the section.
AT this point; Mr.. Turner moved an i'd
ournment, which motion was carried !; |
whereupon the House adjourned until to-
lay at II O'Clock.