Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1873-03-04
THAT FIRE IN OUR REAR

Ayers, WAS IN our office on last Satur-
day. From him we learn that the
meeting was merely such as are gen.
orally gotten up in our country towns
On court days, and of course it was
without previous notice. As but one
side Of the question was shown up the
vote and the feeling were all one way,
aud Mr.. Kane. however honest his
convictions, and we do not question
their sincerity or honesty, had his own
triumph in that impromptu enthusi-
ssm and passion which follow what
Is deemed an exposure Of those who
nave previously enjoyed the public
confidence.
We are glad it was no more, for il
IL no bad thing to have the public
suddenly misjudge and undervaIue
great public service which has its
ends unrevealed and somewhat unde-
ye!oped. We have some remem-
brsnce Of the popular disgust for Genl
Jes. L. johnson, when he evacuated
Hsrper's Ferry, and how the route at
Manassas left him towering on the
pinnacle of that days glory We cal
to mind the public disappointment in
Gen. Lee because he refused to graf
ify the demand for costly and fruit
less butchery Of our boys on Scwcl.
Mountain, and We have not forgotten
how Albert Sidney Johnston became
temporary martyr for swinging
found the circle of Nashville. We
sre inclined to believe that our rail-
road system has been assaulted by a
skillfull and gigantic enemy which
must be fought by something better
and more disciplined that a popular
and misguided frenzy which blurts out
TO the world all of its plans and pnr.
poses. Unless we are 20 have lead.
ers whom we can trust for details we
had as we'll disband and run our
negotiations with our enemies by
means Of public and erparte demon
stra tions.
The management Of the A. NJ. &
o. r. K, has net been excelled in
Virginia. During last year it lacked
less than s2s. 900 of earning enough
70 meet the interest on its entire
funded debt, after paying all expen-
ses Yet it put up iron bridges, built
depots, ballasted a large portion Of
its rosdbed and laid an immense
. mount Of new rail and restocked the
line with engines and cars at cost of
over one half 4 million dollars. As
the necessity for these OUTLAWS in i'm
provements shall disappear. it must
be apparent that its profits will be very
satisfactory. 1t now employs 1000
hands. 70 engines. % passenger cars,
Is mail and baggage cars and nearly
nine hundred freight cars. Yet in
the midst Of this great recuperativs
effort il lacks only SIS, 600 Of making
strap and buckle meet. 1t has sur
scyed the various lines from Bristol
TO Cumberland Gap and more than
one year ago it asked Kentucky to
enter. with it, on the great work Of
the tunnel. But there was a nice
game to be played. Malone was
opening Cumberland Gap. aud Col.
Scott desired to close it. Notwith-
standing the pledge OF the Louisville
sad Nashville Co.. that December
~ shoald be the period when they
woul1 run their locomotives through
that tunnel. there was inaugurated
different line of policy which would
have thdt company masters Of the
connection. BY it Malone might
tunnel the Gap but Scott would Own
it. In February u there came the
annual election Of the officers of the
l.. L ~ Co. at four O'Clock p. NJ,
the poll indicated that the friends Of
the Cumberland Gap connection had
triumphed. There was a halt. The
Bucktails PANIED out freely and New
combe WAS elected. Since that time
the negotiations Of that company have
cen seemingly intended to decoy the
A. NJ. & 0. Co. into such an eKpendi-
,ure as would leave them at Mr..
Scott's mercy. In other words that
gentleman has lain in ambush at the
Gap With the apparent purpose Of cap
turing the A. NJ. & o. Co, whom he
seems to consider his legitimate prey.
Gen. Malone alone can judge of the
prOprie;y Of precipitating the the en-
gagement which involves the success
or ruin Of the line over which he pre-
sides. The action of our friends in
Scott csn have no other result, if it
could progress to the end so hastily
and imprudently desired. than to
drive Gen. Malone into Col. SCOTS
art. But they may as we'll accept
the inevitable fact that Mshone does |
not intend to be driven where his
jud cement forbids, and they need not