The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-04-25
THE DANvIELE GAUGE. M
MEETING AT ASSEMBLY HALL LAST
NIGHT.
Remarks OF Colonel w. r. Burwell and
Colonel A. 8. Buford.
RESOLUTIONS OF THE CHAMBER or COMMERCE
ADOPTED IN LIEU OF COLONEL BuRwKLL's.

An adjourned meeting OF the citizens o.
Richmond was held at Assembly Hall las
night to consider the subject Of the chang,
of gauge of the Richmond and Danville
railroad, L. D. Crenshaw, Esq, in the chair
and Mr.. John Lyon secretary. The pro
ceedings Of the last two meetings were read
and approved.
At the request Of Mr. McCance the resolu
tions adopted ut recent meeting Of the
Board Of Directors OF the Chamber of Com
merce were read to the meeting.
Mr.. Crenshaw stated that the reason why
he was not at the meeting on Wednesday
night was owing to the THAT he had beer
credibly informed that it had been post
poned.
COLONEL BUnwBLL's REMARKS.
At the conclusion of the reading OF the
resolutions, Colonel BurweIl took the stand
and proceeded to address the meeting in
favor of the resolutions which he presented
on Tuesday night, declaring that it would
! be detrimental to the interests of Richmond
for the gauge OF the Danyille road to be
| changed.
Colonel Burwell began his remarks by an
appropriate allusion to the disastrous fire
which had occurred on Tuesday night, the
announcement of which had broken up the
meeting, and then took up the theme OF his
discussion. He said there was fear in the
| minds of the people Of this city lest the
Chesapeake and Ohio road might pass from
| the hands Of the present owners to the
| hands OF corporation whose interests are
| autagonistic to the interest Of Richmond,
and if there were fears connected with the
western lines why should we not fear that
there was danger surrounding the southern
lines. ..-......
Colonel Burwell then proceeded to argue
at some length in opposition to the general
proposition to change the gauge OF the Dan
vile road, and to say that he regarded that
road as most important line to this city.
He regarded it as even more important than
the great Chesapeake and Ohio, which is al.
ready tapped at GordonsVille and at Staun-
ton. Not that the Dapville road can bring
the same trade that the Chesapeake and
Ohio road can, but because it Is peculiarly 8
Richmend Improvement and built by Rich
mond money. He thought that the proper
solution of the difficulty was the change Of
gauge Of the road from Greensboro to Char
lotte.
Colonel Burwell next reviewed the re-
ludl hS lldlC Ny SOiOuCl ousOkO luO
Chamber of Commerce, and to argue that if
1t be practical and feasible to lay third rail
from Richmond to Burkeyille in order to
conform to the gauge Of the Atlantic, Mis-
sissippi and Ohio road, why would it not be
equally feasible to lay third rail from
Greensboro to Charlotte! And also to say
that all remedies ought to be resorted to In
order to have an unbroken line from Rich
1 - - 1~e1 Ia Of ft,n
Danville road is changed.
Turning to the bright side Of the picture,
be said that when the great James River and
Kanawha canal is completed Virginia can
defy Tom Scott and MIR. Garrett and all the
thought, too, that the remedy was in the re.
peal of the terminal railroad law.
REMARKS OF COLONEL BUroRD.
At the conclusion of the remarks Of Col
onel BurWell, Colonel Buford took the stand,
and asked the indulgence Of the audience,
stating that he had been indisposed for the
past two days, and hence he might not in the
outset make himself understood as distinctly
as he would like; at the same time be hoped
before he concluded to be able to do so. DE
| first complimented the remarks Of Colonel
Burwell, and then proceeded to discuss the
question, the simple question, Will the
| change OF the gauge Of the Danyille road
| be unfriendly 10 the interests of Richm0ndS
We are, said he, striving for the same
ends, but it must first be. ascertained whe-
ther the means proposed BY the opponents
to the scheme will accomplish the ends
which both OF us so earnestly desire. Colo
mel Burwell then reviewed the facts concern
| ing the contract with the North Carolina
1 nd ho pnnroofaS NTH 10 tl1y-,s-
ing over of the road in December, 1866, to
its leasees. The change Of gauge proposed
| is not the scheme most desired by the Dan
Vile Company, but it is the only alternative.
He meant no reflection on Colonel Bur
| well when he said that he didn't understand
the question. He had not been educated
| mon it, 1t was not bis business to have
studied it, but II he would only sleep with
him for one week he would make him under
stand II. or he'd be the dullest scholar that
ever he had. [Laughter.l He declared
| it his intention to stand by his road as laen-
tilted with the interests of Richmond. he
was making this fight for Richmond and for
| the Danyille road. He was tired Of ar IN
equal contest. He wanted q fair fight
He wanted the earnings which would
be realized in bringing the freight over tae
| Danville road but he wanted also the inter
ests of Richmond built up. As to the difl.
| cnlty TO be encountered with the Richmond
and York River gauge, which would be cii'
ferent if that of the Danville road wes 81.
tered. he said that the York River road was
originally a nsrroW-gauge road, but they
| changed their gauge to conform to that Oh
| the Danyile road some years ago, ana be
spoke knowingly when he said that within
twenty days after the gauge OF the Danviile
road is changed the proprietors OF the Iorh
River road would change the gauge OF tha'
road. ia .h,,
the question was one Of grave importance
The Danyille road has but one interest,
| which is identical with that Of Richmond
| All that we ask is that you will CONSIDER
these facts dispassionately, and then decide
the matter. He had no knowledge, lntlma
ton or belief that there was any plan on
foot or proposition to sell or lease the PIED
mont road to the Baltimore and Ohio ROAD
or to any other road.
| For the last three months negotiations
have been had between the Danvllle roao
and the Orange road with reference to con-
nection business at Danville. The first pro-
position was with reference to the use of the
Danvile Company's bridge at Danyil!e
That proposition is still open. The suhJec'
of terms as to IN interchange Of passengers
between the Danyile and the Orange lines
| has also been discussed, and is now subJecl
of negotiation.
| Mr.. James NJ. Wise: Mr.. Buford, have
YOU not been comforting with the Orange
| line at Danyie with reference 10 q transfer
of all your freights there?
Colonel Buford By no manner OF means