The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-15

die her for the Pennsylvania company tt
ride. 49,,
A RICHMOND DELEGATE FOR THE pEyHsYL4
vARIA CENTRAL. !,
Mr. LorESsTRIN made an elaborate argu
ment In favorof an all-rail route to Wash
ington, and particularly of that proposed
by the Pennsylvania Central railroad.
LouDouN OPPOSED TO FOREIGN 1sTEnyES
Mr. MATTHEW, of Loudoun. followed Mr
LovENsTEIs tn an able argument against the
bill under consideration. He said: @
The charter now under consideration
presents to ms mind several objections ot
the gravest character--so great, indeed, as
will force me, friendly ss Lam to improve.
ments of this class, and much as desire te
see the State ehequercd With railways, tc
vote against it. IT the proposition was
simply to build road from Alexandria to
this city by the Pennsylvania Central, ]
would hesitate before allowing them the
right TO do SO. would hesitate before |
gave my sanction to any measure that would
permit
a CORPORATION THAT HAS SWALLOWED Ur
OVER THIRTY COMPETING LINES OF RAIL
WAY,
extending over 3,000 miles in almost every
part OF .tnesst1niess--a-eo orP1fation SO grand
In its proportions, so powerful in its re.
sources, US to not only successfully oppress
individuals and communities, but able to
control States, dictate decisions for courts
OF justice, assault Congress itself with sue.
cess and even begin to look upon
THE ELECTION OF PRESIDENT AS A NATTER
WITHIN THEIR CONTROL.
Ii the proposition was simply of this
character / would hesitate before I sane.
toned it, and could only favor it upon the
ground that it would bring capital into the
State, and afford our people the advantages
OF competition. The main reliance of ouI
people has been, and must continue to be
III the future, as regards railroads in al
that relates to the cheapness and rapidity OF
transportation of passengers and freight, /:
competition. This check has been got ri(
of in this and many other of the great
railroad companies in this country by the
passage of some of the competing lines into
the same hands; and where competition
does prevail it is confined to through busi
ness, and in order to secure it cut dowr
charges below the paying point in some in
stances, and then make up their losses ant
get their profits by increased rate for inter
mediate points, and by means Of this kin,
deprive the masses of the people of the ad
vantages of competing lines. But thi
company, the applicants for this charter,
DOES NOT EVEN OFFER Us THE ADVANTAGES O
COMPETITION
as an inducement to vote for their bill. ]
is not contemplated by them to build ne,
road. I doubt if there is among the advt
Gates of this measure one that thinks or bt
lieves that one mile will be built more tha
is necessary to fill the existing gap betwee
Alexandria and Fredericksburg. 1t seen
to be understood on all sides that the objet
of this company is by some means to 81
control Of the Richmond, Fredericksbur
and Potomac road and use it, and instea
of building new road, take possession
BY FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES OF A RoA
ALREADY BUILT,
owned by the citizens of this State, and i
which the State is large stockholder.
TT * nllnead. and I,Arhaps truly that tn
present management of the Richmond
Fredericksburg and Potomac is opprcs
sive-burthensome to the people along th
line. It is said, and perhaps not entirel
without truth, that it is monopoly. Ver,
feU railroads but achat are. But how ca
the people be relieved from oppression
how can their burdens be ightened hoy
can either State or people be benefited b.
A SIMPLE CHANGE OF MASTERS!
Are we to look for more generosity an,
Iiberality, more kindness to our people
and warmer manifestation of interest ii
our welfare, from the cold, calculating man
ayers of the Pennsylvania Central railroad
than from our own people; who are identi
fed with u.s.? 1t was truly said of them b.
the member from Henry (Mr. ThomaS th
other day, that their object in coming herr
was "to make all the money they coult
out of u.s." 1t would be worse than foil,
in us to change one master that we know
for one who we only know has fifty time
the power to do us wrong. 1t would b,
but 4 poor relief to the people to exchang
monopoly in this State, and which can b.
reached by our laws (f any can), for on
out of the State, beyond our jurisdiction
and one, let their action be as Oppressive
as can be conceived, that cannot be reached
by any power in the State. In my humbl,
judgment, we, as body representing al
the people of Virginia, would be recrean
to the trusts coufded to our care, false tt
the confidence reposed in us, if we allow
THIS FOREIGN CORPORATION TO COME IN AM
NOT ONLY REGULATE THE AFFAIRS
of the private stockholders Of this com
pany, but have control and management O
a railway in which the State has $500, 600 g
stock. 1t is useless to attempt to guart
against these things by providing agains
them in the charter; but give them hol'
on us, and it will be but short time unit
we will lie as PROSTATE at their feet as doe
other States on which they have their grasp
If the State attempts to meddle with then
they will buy the Legislature and muzzl
the courts so that no redress can be oh
tanned.
FALLAcIoUs ARGUMENT MET.
But we are urged to pass this bill becaus
it is alleged that the present management
OF the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Po
tomac road is in the interest of the Balti
more and Ohio road and the city of Balti
more. The Baltimore and Ohio passes th
portion OF the State represent, and ou