The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1870-02-12
The Railroad Var.

The contest between the Baltimore IL Ohio
Railroad Company and the State oil Maryland,
has assumed the shape of a square fight, and
promises to reach magnitude not hitherto an
ticipated by the partisans OF either side.
On the Sd Instant, Mr.. Martin, of ST. Mary's,
offered message from the Senate, proposing the
appointment of four from the House and three
from the Senate, to whom shall be referred all
matters of dispute between the State of Mary
land and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Com
pany, with power to send for persons and pa
pers and to employ proper accountant, who
should, upon oath, overhaul the accounts in dis
pute, aud report the result OF his Investigations
to the General ;sembly Tor their action.
This matter was discussed Yith much warmth
and logic by its IN over, 81. ably opposed by
Mr.. Merrck, OF Howard ter the delivery Of
which speeches. thu MESA, vas rejected by
vote of 40 to 30
The subject came up again under resolution
offered by Mr.. Hobitzel of Baltimore, in the
nature of substitute, which directs the Attor-
neg General to institute proceedings against the
ceeds from the passengers on the Washington
branch, due the State.
The House was addressed by Mr.. Neill, of
Washington county, upon this resolution, who
said the Company having arrayed itself against
the State, the latter should sustain its dignity
and independence, but he thought it could be
done some other way. Mr.. Latrobe (Speaker)
also addressed the House upon the subject.
Mr.. Merricks resolution, for which the above
resolution of Mr. Hobltzell, as above stated is a
substitute, looks to a proceeding against the
Company by scire faciaS to vacate the charter of
the Company for having violated the provisions
therein contained.
Mr.. Garrett president Of the road, refuses to
pay the claim of the State $3.50, OOO) against
the road, because (l) he says the State owes the
Company 1898, OOO) and wishes that to be con-
sidered in the premises, but( 2) beyond that he
is ad vised by the counsel in the case (Hon. Rev
erdy johnson, that the tax thus imposedis un-
constitutional which they have been thirty ght
years in discovering.
The road is rich and powerful corporation,
outstripping, perhaps, all others of the kind
within the limits of the State.
Mr.. Garrett is at present negotiating loan of
S4, 600, 900 from capitalists in England to in
vest in behalf of the road.
Mr.. McLane of Baltimore city, has offered res
outions in the House, making the dividend of
six per cent. upon the So, 600, 900 stock Of the
Company, payable in gold coin.
On Wednesday, 9th inst Mr.. Street of Har-
ford, offered an amendment to the substitute Of
Mr.. Hoblitzell, providing for the appointment Of
a committee of four from the House and three
from the Senate, to be appointed by the Speaker
of the House and the President of the Senate re-
spectively, to whom shall be referred all matters
of dispute between the Company and the State,
the Attorney General to act as counsel for said
committee and if the Company refuse to make
settlements within twenty days after the adop-
ton of their report then the Attorney Gneral is
to institute proper legal proceedings against the
Company to recover the tax in dispute.