The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-22
.wuo KILLED oooK-RoBiN ~

ford, "with my State stock and dagger; l
killed cock-robin" The attack upon the
Invaders, so-called, Washington and Rich
mond Railway company, was first made
by this active (both in tactics and gesticu-
laton) member from Bedford. The enor-
nous amount of $275, 900 invested by the
State tbirty-seven years ago in the r., Il.
Z. h. r. has, it is true, and as admitted
by the member himself, been utterly un-
productive of interest or dividend, but 1t
is a time-honored investment, and like
Sandman port or Duff Gordon sherry,
it has acquired value as it became musty
in the auditors safe, and become part
and parcel of the great successful Virginia
railroad system, which has done SO much
for the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of Messrs. --and-
&C., and, if allowed to slumber on in the
fashion of "the good old times" will re-
turn to her tenfold, in the last will and
testament of the present bene6ciaries as
private stockholders, who are or were Vir-
ginians, and of course cannot, like Penn
sylvanians, be influenced by any desire for
personal gain. TO grant to rival
company charter to construct a COM
peting line, and that to parties
who might be "outside barbarians," and
run trains at a dangerously high rate of
speed for the purpose Of reaching Wash
ington as quickly as possible, instead of
jogging along eisuroly so as to enable
passengers to meet their Bay line friends
at Baltimore, instead Of being hurried
along on the train ahead of their time, was,
of course, "aheaped-up and running over
measure of iniquity the patriotic eye ofthe
member couldn't abide," particularly
when, in the future, a short cut from Dan
vile to Lynchburg. and thence via Bal.
timore aud Ohio mo, we mean 0. and A.
X. R.) would save passengers from
exposure to the temptations of Richmond,
from the contamination of the Can-Can at
the Academy of Music, or excessive each
ination at the theatre, while witness
Venice" or loss of heart by the wies and
smiles of Blanche or Ella.
The State stock fountain of woe" having
been pumped dry, the member from Abe
marie came forward with his pitiful recital
of the grefs of the private stockholders,
and "if you have tears, prepare to shed
them now for long, labored, legal and
lugubrious were the lamentations walled
forth by this gentleman, on behalf Of the
holders of private stock in the r., f. & P.
r. R., who, though they received no dvi-
dends on their investment, preferred it
should continue unproductive under time
honored Encouragement than be made
productive by the unpleasant activity of
men unfortunately not of royal jPoca-
hontas) blood. The force of the appeal
was weakened, and weeping listeners
dried their yelling eyes, when it was I'M
luckily developed that THE STOCKHOLDERS.
private and proxy, who controlled the
road, asked 1896 per share for his 800
stock, and yet could not figure out dvi-
dend on the private stock held in Virginia
and doubtless some of these unfortunate
private stockholders are now cheerej in |
their dreams by visions of the figures !
1865" in mint-gold characters, shining
with binding brilliancy, and putting into
the shade of everlasting night, the dingy
" 100" inscribed on the original bond,
and wake imagining the letter informing
them of the value Of their stock has been
misdirected and fallen into the oblivion of |
the dead-letter office.
The State and private stockholders hav-
ing been diagnosed and prescribed for,
then the "dear people" were summoned
by the member Ia member is more proper
from Richmond, aud bowling complaint
made that whereas they (the dear people,
now paid six cents mile fare from Rich
mond to Washington, had seven hours
ride, could see the beautiful country be-
tween Fredericksburg and Acqua creek,
the meaudering Potomac, pass the tomb
of the Father of his Country, would he
were here now, in flesh and blood, instead
of monumental brass, y hear the tolling
of the votive bell to his memory, and
reach Washington too late for supper,
they could not, would not, be compelled
to pay but four cents per mile fare between
Richmond and Washington, and have only I
a four hours ride, which would bring
them to Washington before supper-time.
No, sir the popular bestua has rights, aod I
knowing dare maintain" them; and one
Of those rights is the privilege of seven
hours ride, at six cents per milo, and they
will not submit to reduction of time or
rate, except the invaders force us to ride i
IN their "all-rail line" and then we will i
not pay decimal of four places over three !
cents per mile, I
The beltaa having been quoted, tab .
eau was presented of Daniel in the lions
len. The good president of the R., f.
md P. r. r. land take him away from his ]
'oad he is good fellov\ was ranrasanted a