The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-03-22
a Decided Hit,

MIR. PENDLEToN, of Botetourt, in his very
strong speech in the Senate yesterday upon
the bill authorizing the sale of stocks held
by the State in certain railroads, made
very good. hit at the distinguished president
of the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio rail-
road. He called attention to the fact that
very recently there was an almost unani
nous disposition to sell out the State stock
in railroads to the companies in whose
roads they were. The bill authorizing
the sale OF the State stock in the DanVllie
railroad to the Danyille company, was
passed last year almost unanimously, and
so the stock held by the State in the roads
composing the consolidated line was sold
to that line. While the bill authori zing
that sale was pending, and just before the
vote upon its passage, telegram was re-
ceired in Richmond from Col. j. B. BALD.
WIN Offering to buy, on behalf Of others, the
State stock in the consolidated line at par,
cash down. Yet, so decided was the opin-
ion of the Legislature on the propriety oil
selling the stock to the consolidation
line that, Notwithstanding this proposition,
much better than the price to be paid by
the consolidated line, the Legislature
promptly passed the bill as it was, treating
the proposition made by Colonel BALDWIN
| with indifference.
1t is we'll known by public men how that
| bid, through Col. BALDWIN, was derided,
and how it was sneered at and denounced
by Gen. MAHoNE's especial friends. 1t was
claimed that the State was solemnly bound
| to protect the private stockholders in the
railroads. 1t had entered into a partner
ship with them, and could not, without a
gross violation Of implied good faith, Sell
her stock to other roads or corporations as
| long as the roads in which the stock was
| were ready to buy it. The proposal
of Col. BALDWIN was so abhorrent to these
gentlemen that they have not yet forgiven
him. The Richmond Wing renews the ex-
preston Of its feelings on the subject Pc
| riodically.
But, presto-change. 1t is found conve-
| nient for General MALONE to break through
his own principles. lie goes back on him
self, and proposes to force sale OF the
State stock in the Richmond and Peters
burg road to himself. He not only torgets
| all the considerations Of justice and good
| faith which formerly led him to claim the
sale of the state stock in the consolidation
| line to that line as a matter Of right, but
he takes it most unkindly in any one to OPP
pose him in his attempt to seize upon the
Richmond and Petersburg road.
Strange, indeed, is this inconsistency !;
and stranger still is it that General MALONE
should (as represented upon good authori-
ty) intimate his right to punish the people of
Richmond for maintaining the policy
which he formerly so warmly espoused.
This people are told that their contuma-
cious opposition merits retributive justice
in the way of iscriminations against their
trade on the consolidation line, while
Colonel BALDWIN, who took the ground
that for better price the State should sell
It's stock in the consolidated line to an
other company, brought down upon him
self the bitter attacks Of the whole CONSOLE
dation party! Who, then, can flee the
wrath of the great tactician, who claims
the right to take both sides of a question,
and ut each turn to be offended ut those
who differ with him?