The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-03-13
Examination of Messrs. M ali one
Bridgers, and Lyon.

On Saturday the House Committee on
Roads resumed the examination of wit
nc-Scs touching the competing PROPOSE
tons before the Legislature for the pur-
chase of the States interest in the Rich
mond and Petersburg railroad. The ses.
sion was very long and tedious one, but
il had two most interesting features, the
testimony of Mr.. BridgerS, president Of the
Wilmington and Weldon railroad, of the
plans and purposes of that company. and
very satisfactory statement BY Mr.. Lyon OF
the circumstances which led to the change
Of management in the Richmond and Pc
tershurs railroad and Of the railroad policy
favored by his clients.
General Malone was first recalled, and
questioned by Mr.. Guy.
Senerai Malone Cross-Examined.
Mr.. CRY You obtained Il charter giving
ycu the right TO construct & railroad from
Richmond to Petersburg 1T the present ses-
sion of the General Assembly. 1 assume
that YOU did not design Internationally to
build 4 road under that charter, but that
YOU designed it rs 4 nIe-ns OF securing
your connection between Petersburg and
Richmond in the event Of the connection
~ way Of the present Richmond and Pc
tcrsburg railroad proving insufficient or in
any way unsatisfactory 10 you. Am right
in that?
A. The object of the Atlantic, Mississippi
and Ohio company in asking the privilege
indicated by your inquiry was to secure, as
well for that company rs for the lines OF
roads leading south from Petersburg, the
means of an untrammclleu communication
with Richmond in the event such COM
munication could not be obtained upon
TAR terms otherwise. But there are re;,-
sons now, since then developed, which
make the control OF the Richmond and Pc.
ler>burg road to an authorityothcrlh han such
~ exists outside of this Stute--an authority
purely Nir.inian in its organlsm--in the
Judgment OF the interest and persons whom
| represent, matter OF the first and Of
vital importance--no less TO the city OF
kichmond than to the cities of Petersburg
whole State, since, TO the mind of those
whom rcprcScnt-and represent no othel
person or parties than Virginia persons and
Virginia parties-that the control Of this
road its tranchise-a consequence Which
must result should the proposition OF the
nne gentlemen asking to become the pur.
chascrs of the States interest in this road, or
should the bill as whole known us Mahood's
substitute fail to pass the Legislature, since
1t is quite plain, ii not absolutely admitted,
that more than majority OF shares in the
richmond and Petersburg road IS now held
hy PARTIES in the interest Of VIM. u. al.
tiers and his ussociatcs-an amount OF stock
sufficient in itself to control the manage.
mcnt and shape the policy Of the Richmond
and Petersburg railroad. That such con-
troll of these parties (Wm. Il. Walters and
his associatcs) would place the trade OF the
Carolinas accessible by means of the rail
ways which the same parties control from
Weldon south, in its determination rs to Il
market, rs the disposal OF these parties,
whose interest, when taken in conjunction
with their friendly allies, the Pennsy lvanla
railroad, with line leading from Richmond
north, would be to make such terms
for the transportation of traffic, freight,
and passengers, as TO lead to the de-
termination of both to markets outside
Of this State !; for without any interest
within the limits of this Commonwealth
bcyc::d the stock which they would then
hold in this line of railroad, it is plain to be
seen that the interest OF these parties would
be best subscrved 10y giving these parties
that direction to the trade best accessible
by their line of railway. And now, with
the entire control Of this through line from
the Potomac to Weldon, there would inter-
vcne no power or interest responsive to the
welfare of the State, and TO the interests of
her cities and people, TO impose such
proper restrictions upon the management
OF this line as would protect the State, her
cities, and her citizens in tina! manner OF
participation in the trade OF the CaroIinas
which, by geographical situation, they are
entitled to erjoy-more especially since
the railway experience Of our own country,
As well as of all Europe, has practically
demonstrated the insuftcienCy of the legis-
lative power to protect domestic interests
In their rishtful claims upon railways to
the traffic they conduct, and where the
same are not part and parcel Of such do
nestle interests, where the corporation
itself is not by interest and by organism in
sympathy and responsive to the interests
and demand Of the domestic interest. And
as an illustration of the theory, it was not
until the Legislature Of Virginia by its action
had brought under one control the line of
railway from Norfolk TO Bristol, embracing
Ill the cities Of the State in its contact, that
We were enabled TO enforce upon The line OF
railway leading from Bristol west to ac-
cord like facilities and pro rata rates to the