The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-03-13

In the effort to prevent our little railroad
from being used up, transferred, and in.
jured during the fight between the greater
combatants. Is
Mr. MARSHALL: Used up by whom? =.
q Witness: Some of our friends were afraid
that our railroad might be used as means
of making peace between the contestants.
In respect to the expression of willing
ness to buy the stock held by the city OF
Petersburg in
THE PETERSBURG AND WELDON RAILROAD
COMPANY, -
have to say that the chairman Of the
Finance Committee of the city of Pc
tersburg asked my opinion as to the pro.
priety of selling 1920 shares of common
stock held by the city in that company to
Mr.. John NJ. Robinson, president Of the
Seaboard and Roanoke railroad, at S45 per
share. I told him promptly that to allow
Mr.. R. to get controlling vote in that rail
road would be ruinous to the commerce Of
Petersburg, and told him also that rather
than Mr.. r. should get it I would pay him
$50 per share.
Mr.. MARSHALL: What was the market
value of the stock? r--s .s.--
WITNESS: The highest market price up
to that time had been $43 per share. re-
ported this occurrence to nv employers,
who had not at that time given me any in.
structions whatever in respect to the Pc
tersburg and Weldon railroad. They then
instructed me to watch that stock Closely,
and by no means to Let it pass into the con-
troll of the Robinson dynasty to prevent
any sale, if possible, by Overlooking any
body else who came to get it and think
at, one time told Mr.. Tenant, or some
other gentleman in the Common Council,
that would give $50 per share rather than
it should pass into the Robinsons' hands.
l furthermore said that if the Coun.
Gil determined to sell it, I should,
as u citizen and as taxpayer, in
sist that it should be put up at public
auction. and make myself the first bid at
$50, and "then let the longest pole get the
persimmon." know that my clients
have always had faith, which / have
been in some degree instrumental in in
spring them with, that the Council and
people of Petersburg, when their plans and
purposes were understood, would cordially
agree with them and make satisfactory con-
tracts. These plans and purposes were not
developed sooner because it was believed
that the Seaboard and Roanoke road, by the
Use of its advantages at Weldon and on the
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
railroad, and on the Richmond and Peters
burg railroad, under the old administration,
would make the Petersburg and We'll
don railroad suffer in its business and
trade if it took any steps towards maxi
ing any change in the existing course
of business before we had obtained
satisfactory control of the Richmond
and Petersburg Company. My instructions
from Mr.. Bridgers have always been not to
purchase Il dollars worth of stock in the
Weldon road, except to prevent its
PASSING INTO TIE HANDS OF THE RoBINsoNs.
Mr.. SEGAR: You stated in your evidence
u few moments since that you were en-
ployed as counsel for the Pennsylvania
railroad few days after the Senate COM
nittee reported adversely to the Pennsyl-
vanla railroad bill. Are you still acting in
any capacity as attorney or agent Of that
road, and if not, when did your services in
that capacity cease?
Witness: 1 am not. My connection with
that company ceased with the final passage
of the bill in the House of Delegates.
Mr.. SEGAR: Are you now the attorney
or agent of Mr.. Walters and if so, when
were you first so employed?
A. / am now counsel for Mr.. Walters in
connection with Messrs. Bridgers and New
conner, as stated before. | was first en-
ployed by Mr.. Bridgers in October, 1870,
and recognized him solely as my client
until, I think, some time in December or
January, when Mr.. Bridgers informed me
that Mcssrs. Walters and Newcomer We're
interested with him, and must obey in
structions from either of them as if they
came from himself. From that time l have
considered myself as counsel for all.
Mr.. SEGAR: Have you been so employed
without interruption from the time that
your services were first engaged to the pre-
sent time?
A. have attended to good deal Of other
business in the meantime. They have not
pretended to monopolize me at all. have
from time to time received instructions to
act for them, and have obeyed them when
| could.
Mr.. SEGAR: Are you at this time, or have
you ever been, an attorney or agent for
Mr.. Bridgers!
A. l have already answered that ques-
ton. was counsel for him once in suit
brought for damages on some cotton burnt
three or four years ago on his railroad, in
court of Petersburg. I don't remember in
any other instance being his attorney or
agent, except, as ] have stated, since last
October.
Mr.. WOOD What is the object of the
statement which you have been permitted,
by request, to make?
A. TO develop before the committee the
truth of these transactions as 1t appears to
me.
MR. WOOD ENLIGHTENED.
Mr.. WooD Do you mean to say, in that
part of your statement wherein you speak
of parties seeking to get control of the
Richmond and Petersburg road, to convey
the idea that Gen. Malone had any know.
ledge of the purpose to bring the control
of that road under the authority Of your
clients? .. b., ... . ....
A. do not believe that ut the time re-
ferred to either party had any expectation
of getting absolute control of that railroad
The whole job was most unpromising at
that time. Every Petersburg man in those