Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-03-28


the Mississippi. For what purpose have they
obtained that control ? They had no manner
of connection with that railway, and its ac-
Iuuistion as a mere investment is not for a
moment to be suspected. Was it to interfere
with this east and west line, for which they
professed so much friendship at the time they
were asking favors at the hands of this Gen
eral Assembly? Let their subsequent con-
duet testify. When this line went to for
leigh market to negotiate the loan which the
| Legislature had authorized, it was met by the
announcement that this very Southern Sc
|curity Company, whose protestations of
Friendship had been SO recently made, in
tended to build competing line, and in this
way they hoped to Illustrate the consumma-
ltion of loan upon which orlr line depended.
Failing in this friendly device, we find these
same people, who have rejected privileges
granted upon their own terms, seeking not
only the overthrow of a corporation created
i by your authority, but aiming as well to have
declared unconstitutional and of no effect the
acts of Virginia Legislature, through the
OF an injunction and "a vexatious
suit before Federal court. Fooled in all
these efforts, they now have the audacity to l
declare their intention to go round your east
and west line-to deprive it Of its legitimate
lbusiness-in the hope that they may either 4
break it down by crippling its revenues or
force it into subservient compliance with
their arrogant demands. AS evidence fur
|thermore Of this purpose and their devilish
designs, the public is informed by one of
their agents and co-eonspirators that the
Southern Security Company seeks control of
1.-THE Western North Carolina road in order
that it may divert the traffic now passing over
1.-The lines controlled by them in Tennessee
from the Mississippi to Bristol at Morristown.
md thence by the Western North Caroline
road to Salisbury, and thence to Northern
markets over their Danville road and other
ines controlled by the Southern Security
company, in order to avoid the delivery to
lus at Bristol and the transit of such traffic
over our Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio rail-
lroad. which he declares to be in hostile inter
Iests to the Southern Security Company,
and that it has no interest in it Jour Atlantic,
Mississippi and Ohio road. And here I
would ask. where is that member of the Cen
eral Assembly who voted for that law which
makes sale of the States interest in the Dam
willie road who did not believe that the private
shareholders of that company alone were to
enjoy the privileges of that act? And where
lis the man of that Assembly who ever sup
|posed that the object of that bill was to
transfer tie control OF this Virginia work to
this .sbureau' of the Pennsylvania railroad?
Or that to such purposes as those to which |
have adverted this part of her railway system
was to be SO employed? Whom shall the peo-
! pie of Virginia hold responsible for this mis-
\ use of generous act of her Legislature-for
/ the introduction of power so disreputable,
not only here in this case, but in that which
|has been in fact established in connection
with the Richmond and Petersburg road?
HAS the public forgotten who petitioned for
and who were the purchasers of the States
5Iinterest in this latter case? and when the
lItact is that this was delivered to other
lIparties. and is to-day held by the Southern
s|Security Company, what exclamation shall
slbe entered? Let us forbear. Such are the
tIevidences of the friendship they protested;
such the respect which they entertain for a
Virginia Legislature; such the manifestation
lot friendly feeling and kindly interest in a
, Virginia line which has the temerity to reject
f Jan alliance with them, based upon such con-
5 lditions as would involve disregard of the
: purposes for which it was created, would
7 lcomprehend the sacrifice of every other work
mot under their control, and make of itself
llservile tool for the accomplishment of their
alfoul and hostile purposes. 1t is easy to see
: lhow much these people have at stake in their
efforts either under this bill or that now be-
llfore the Senate to acquire control of that link
rlacross Virginia territory, which would bring
finto pneumatic tube at Richmond and
,lthence to Philadelphia the carrying trade of
!Lllc coast lltle, lue OuIl IlHc, dut JUSTLY GHo
reconstruction of another link in North Caro-
' lima to cut off and break down your East and
p West line. I'm .5-r .ri't
+ CONCLUSION.
Fl Such, Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen, are
r the views which, by your generous patience,
(. l have been permitted to express on behalf
e of the Atlantic Mississippi and Ohio Railroad
i Company, a corporation which, beg to as
n sure you, is under your government We
Y claim your guidance, we ask your protection.
/. We are one of your creatures, willingly sub
sIject to such legislation as public policy may
/. Require, willing to share with the people the
oIburdens of taxation, as we are doing to-day,
Ialthough it bears GENEROUSLY upon this one of
: the few Virginia roads which now remain the
d property and under the direction of Virginia
e people. ...,., r7
t You will observe by reference to your Au-
: ditor's report that out of $3l, 900 taxes paid
e on the real estate and personal property of
o railroads this one road paid $2l 900, and that
II of the $4,000 paid by such works as tax on
this company paid more than
n half. -N lI. ..-..,
Il take this occasion to saw on behalf of