Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-07-12
RAILROAD WARS.
A Gigantic Struggle Imminent-1'he
Contest for the Possession of Jersey.
From the Trenton Gazette June

A Gigantic Struggle Imminent-1'he |
Contest for the Possession of Jersey.
From the Trenton Gazette, June
There are strong indications that two
interesting and gigantic railroad wars
are likely to grow out of the projected
lease of the united companies to the
Pennsylvania railroad. The first is
sort of sort of civil condemnation strife,
between the two opposing factions into
which the stockholders and managers of
the JOINT companies have have divided
on the subject of the lease. The diff
ference between the advocates and OPP
ponents of the lease in the companies
has become irreconcilable, and can now
only be determined by the arbitrament
of the sword of the law Those in ia
vor of the lease are fully resolved that
it shall be effected, while those who
oppose are as determined to prevent its
consummation The proceedings be-
gun by the latter in the Court of Chan
Gerry is but q mild preliminary to the
terrific and deadly contest which will
subsequently be fought in the Le9is-
lature Here will inevitably be the bat
tle-graInd of these corporate Iltans,
and all the enormous resources OF Stra-
tegy and patronage, and the other pO-
tent influences which have IN times past
been employed to discomft the plans
of the enemies of the monopoly, will
now be welded by these belligerent
factions against each other. The con-
fict will be characterized by all the ac-
rimony and relentlessness which civil
contests of all sorts ever evoke. Gig
antic diverse interests, asWell as strong
professional pride, will contend for the
mas cry If the legal proceedings in
augurated in the Court of Chancery
shall prove the authority on which the
proposed lease is based to be defective,
resort viii of course be had TO the next
Legislature to perfect that authority.
The effort of the asSentOrS to the lease
to obtain and of the diSsenters to pre-
vent this legislation, will constitute one
of the most remarkable and exciting
railroad wars that has ever been fought
on the old legislature battle-ground.
But suppose the antl-leasers triumph,
both in the Courts and in the Legis-
lature Then the two belligerents Will
have to combine their shattered forces
and confront new, fresh and most
powerful antagonist. The Pennsylv-
ania railroad company is resolved TO
have road across New-J Jersey, under
it's own control, with abundant facili
ties for the accommodation Of it's
through western traffic. It would have
secured a charter for such a road under
the guise Of the air line project last
winter, if this projected lease had not
been held out as an lnducement for q
suspension of hOstilities, and on the
understanding that the lease cannot be
consummated, the Pennsylvania com
pany will OF course renew It's attempts
to secure charter for new road
Could they be prevented from accom-
pllShlng their purpose Is the united
companies strong enough to successful
ly contend with that powerful corpora
| ton? Hitherto both of these corpo-
rate giants have proved successful in
all their Legislative contests. But the
| Pennsylvania company is financially
much stronger than the New-Jersey
corporation, and has fought and won
greater battles, III contests of wider
and more gigantic character. The event
of a war between these hitherto puts
| SAINT and veteran contestants we do not
| pretend to predict; we only know that
it is certain to take place if the lease is
not effected But it will only be
be after the other and still more inter
esting battle between the belligerent
factions of the disunited companies has
! been fought and determined, and then
only in the event of the defeat of the
advocates of the lease. In this preli-
minary battle, the moral, If not the ma
terial, aid OF the Pennsylvania company
will undoubtedly be on the side of the
leasers. But the other side will have
very strong moral supportin this State,
and can marshal to their aid an array OF
veteran fighting talent which is not to
| be despised