The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-11

if such plan can he devised I think the
Legislature should adopt it. The bin
which have drawn is. l think, a practical
solution OF the difficulty. "
The 1st section changes the name of the
corporation. This, Of course. is unnatural;
but that portion of this clause requiring
the new company to do all acts that the
law required the former company to do, in
order for its proper and legal organization,
is just and proper. They should come be-
fore us with clean hands. The House COM
mittee reported, after full investigation,
that the Alexandria and Fredericksburg
Railroad Company was not legally organ
lied; had
nlSoBEyED AND NEGLECTED. THE PLAIN MAN
DATES OF THE LAW.
This they should be required to testify in
vindication Of the public law.
The I'd section grants in full terms the
franchise and right to build and equip
railroad from Washington through or touch
ing the corporate aamits of the city of Alex
andria. do not require them to so through
the city because l do not wish them to he
at the mercy Of any corporation.
The object, scope. and purpose Of my bill
is to haYe
NEW LINE ACTUALLY AND REALLY BUILT.
wish to use such legislative language as
will compel the company, if they accept the
franchise. (and as said before, their large
pecuniary interest will compel them to ac-
cept,) to construct new and different one
from any OF the present ones. am totally
averse to clothing them with 4 franchise
simply to be used to depress the stock of the
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
Railroad Company, so that the new COM
pany may get control of that road and build
now.
/ do not make war OIL the Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
Company. l do join in the complaint, how
ever, that their charges are in many cases
heavy. l would remedy this by competi-
ton. This tcompettion) is not only the life
OF trade, but in ii lies the safety and secu-
rity of the public against monopolies.
ROBERTS, PROMISES.
The yicc-president Mr. Roberts, of the
great Pennsylvania Railroad Company, in
his statements before the committee, made
comments on the old togyism of our ideas
rs to the taliff Of fares, and made many
promises and assertions of what would and
could he done if the franchise asked for
should be granted.
Mr.. Roberts struck me aS an astute, long
headed, and practical man, thoroughly
initiated in all railroad matters. and up to
all the modern notions and experiences on
this subject. Ih0re IN my bill taken him at
has arord / have limited passenger fare,
whether local or through, not to exceed
4 cents per mile Che thought it could be
done for 5 ccnrs), and to 3h cents per ton
per mile for freight, and have put this in
the bond.
OUR PEOPLE MUST HAVE GUARANTEES.
In granting the franchise l have Stipu-
lated for reasonable terms from our people.
We grant certain rights. Is it unreasona-
Bile to exact certain reasonable conditions
in return:
| think sections and 6 Of my bill afford
the necessary antidote to the evil which the
| opponents of this bill assert with 50 much
vehemence as following the grant Of a char
ter to this company. | believe they will
protect Norfolk and Richmond, Petersburg,
and the other towns in Virginia. 1t makes
the ne,c road public highway for all
comers; it prohibits the company from CIV
! ing any preference to any person or COM
pany, or any kind of traffic it requires
! them to carry local freight on the same
! terms they do through freight. I hope il
! these provisions Of the bill do not give sutti-
cient protection, that the opponents will so
amend it as to effect that object.
; think as Il general rule railroads should
be so managed. if possible, as to have the
same rate Of charge for traffic per mile for
Il short distance as long distance. The
community through which it passes should
! be benefited as well rs those at its cXtrcm-
. ity. But am willing to an amendment in
this respect, if the doctrine be impractica-
bic, and my views be delusiye.
THE PURPOSE OF THE SUBSTITUTE.
! My purpose to have better road actually
/ built has made me require that this new
! road should, after it leaves Fredericks-
! burg and Richmond five miles, be dis
| tant from the Richmond, Fredericksburg
and Potomac Railroad Company three
| miles: and when it reaches ten miles dis
| tancc, it shall be five miles from the other
routes.
I know the effect of building this new
road must be to injure the Richmond,
! Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
Company but this cannot be considered.
have, in section !, endeavored to protect
the State in this respect.
| A COMPLIMENT TO MIR. DANIEL.
| l do not design to ipjurc the Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
Company, but it must give way to great
public interest. Of the president Of that
road [Mr. Daniel it gives me pleasure to
say here in my place, and in the face Of the
Virginia Senate, | have known him for
many years. Iknow him to be unimpeach-
able and of unimpeachable integrity. He
is the very soul OF honor and OF honesty,
and as to his capacity rs railroad man, he
need not fear comparison with the astutest
of them all. ] warrant he will take proper
care that his road is not run entirely down
by any party to whom we may grant fran
chise, as set forth in my bill.
MR.. ROLLERS BILL.
Mr.. ROLLER then explained his substi-
tute. which is the bill now before the
House. He thought the bill Of Mr.. IiERN-
nnx ,y,s yirtu,lIv an embargo upon the