The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-08-05

Mr.. a. i. w hltJieSey spoke nrSt,
and made a strong speech in favor of
the Carmi Road. He spoke of the
improvements going on in our city at
present and the increased impetus
that would be given to the onward
march Of progress by the Carmi Road.
He spoke about the men who were
trying to defeat this road to build up
the Straight Line. He referred in
eulogistic terms to the characters
of the men who constituted the
Board of Directors. He spoke of
the individual standing in the COM
munity Of each man, and said they
were also cur heaviest tax-pay-
ers. Yet we are told by the opponents
of the road that they are irresponsible
men and of no account. They tell
you that the Carmi Road is cheat
and swindle, and that your property
is going to the devil. He only point
ed to the list of the Directors to re-
flute such base SANDERS VIII any
body who knows such men as DR..
Cloud, DR.. Bray, Peter Semonin,
John A. Reitz and John s. Hopkins,
say they are not worth a cuss. Would
we repudiate the best men IN our
community? ECries of never
At this juncture the Democratic
Band wagon drove up, and the band
began playing, much to the annoy
anoe of the speaker, but the Cornet
Band started up In opposition. In a
short time the bands ceased, but the
Democratic Band again commenced
playing, and the Cornet Band was
again compelled to play in opposition.
This effort on the part of the Straight
line men to disturb the Carmi meet
ing did not make any votes for the
Straight Line route.
Hiram e. Read was next called on,
and said that complaints were made
that the road would be run by Mt.
Vernon. This is not so. The Di-
rectors say to you chat they will sub
nit to the stockholders and those in
terested the question of the route to
be selected.
He again referred to the Straight
Line Road, and said that under the
law they would have to build that
road within one year, or else the road
bed would revert back to the State.
VIII those men lose the four or Eve
hundred thousand dollars already
invested, or viii they finish the road
themselves? They are bound to
build the road whether we help them
or not.
John A. Reitz, Esq, being present,
was next called upon, and he made
some statements that surprised his
auditors. He said the cry was raised
that the road would go by Mount
Vernon. 1t was no such thing. The
people can rest assured that the Di-
rectors will locate the road according
to the views of the stockholders. For
himself, he thought the route to Mt.
Vernon impracticable. Mr.. Reitz
spoke Of the Evansville, Henderson
g. Nashville Railroad, and said that,
notwithstanding the subscription had
been voted down in Henderson, Hop
kins, and other counties in Kentucky,
the road would be finished inside of
eighteen months. Two companies
we're waiting to buy, and it would be
finished at once, and we would have
the benefit of it. He directed his at
tention to the Straight Line ring"
and said that the ninety-six thou
sand dollars that had been paid to the
road by the city not long since, was
being used to fee lawyers in this city.
Therefore, it was the people of this
city that was paying the expenses of
this ring in their efforts to break
down the CarIni road, and prevent
the donation But of one thing rest
assured, that these Straight Line
men were bound to build their road
within the next year. or forfeit
their charter. This they would not
do. They would build the road.
whether Evansville extended material
aid or not. Mr.. Reitz said that
WILLARD CARPENTER is ut
the bottom Of the aobole concern. fl
was speaking from hearsay, 1 might
be mistaken, but 1 will take MY
OATH that l have SEEN THE
PAPERS, and CARPENTER is
THE OVER OF THE ROAD
BED, it having been transferred to
him. Willard Carpenter and -Fran-
cis Felloa0s are the men concerned
and John j. Merritt as only the figure
head!
Mr.. Reitz spoke at some length. He
was in favor of all railroads. Let US
build the Carmi road; the road to
Nashville viii be built, and the
Straight Line road will be finished in
good time. With all these roads, we
will be well fixed. He closed his
speech by urging on all his hearers to
go to the polls to day and vote for
their own interests. IF they were
poor and had no taxes to pay, voGe for
the road anyhow. as himself and other
property holders would pay the taxes.
Robt. A. Hill was next, and made a
somewhat lengthy speech. He re-
ferred to the slanders that had been