The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-04-17
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE..
OF CoLONEL. RUFoRD ON
TIRE PROPOSED CylANGE IN THE
GAUGE OF T1JE DANvxLLE
EAIEROAD.
THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Other Business.

n
Of the Richmond Cham Der Of Commerce
was held yesterday afternoon-President
McCance in the chair. Present: Mcssrs. E.
o. Noting, Joseph r. Anderson, Thomas
Potts, z. E. Rlankenship, w. II. Palmer, J.
X. Chldrey. S. II. Hawes, Franklin Stearns,
Isaac Davenport, aud Moses Mllhlser. BE-
sides the Board of Directors, Messrs: ould,
LoyenStein, Gilman, Dooley, and Anderson,
of the House Of Delegates, were present,
and large number of prominent merchants
and other citizeus. .. e#
oBJECT OF THE MEETING.
The president announced that the meeting
had been called to hear q special report
which Colonel Buford desired to make to the
Board, in relation to very important mat
ter to this city.
COLONEL BCFoRD
said that certain questions were now being
acitaied in connection with the Richmond
and Danvile railroad. and he thought pro-
per that general statement of the officers
connected with the road should be made.
He said that it was unnecessary to say that
ut present the Danvlle road occupies
peculiar and anomalous position. Its previous
history is cll-known and familiarly under
stood by all. No opportunity was had for
the North Carolina connections until during
the war with the Piedmont road. The Pied
mont road was constructed as narrow
gauge road. and as the Danyille road found
it was impossible to utilize 1t, the North
Carolina Legislature authorized change,
which was speedily made, so as to conform
to the Danyile gauge. !
Colonel Buford next proceeded to give
full history of this road and the contest con-
nccted with it, its lease in 1871, etc.
Upon undertaking to exercise the rights of
the contract, aud to alter the gauge OF the
North Carolina road in August last, the Dam
vile road was met by litigation, and up to
this time the scheme has been defeated. Un-
derthis state of things, Mr.. Buford said he
thought that it was to the interest OF the
Danville road to change its gauge, but the
Danville Company did not at present desire
to make the change, and it is question with
the company whether it will be an adyan-
tageous arrangement to do SO.
Colonel Buford next proceeded to enume-
rate some of the difficulties which are in the
way, and to alude to the serious embarrass-
ment of change three times in the south
ern line of about three hundred miles, and
the difficulties of competing with other lines
of unbroken connection. He wanted the
people of Richmond to understand that it
was their fight which was being waged.
He thought it was deceptive and Elusive
idea that of city's stopping freights in pro-
cess of transitude. The interests of the
Danyile road are identified with Richmond,
and whether she is to prosper or retrograde
so will the road 60. He urged that the peo-
pie of Richmond should aid in diSencum-
bering the road Of these clogs, and free it
from lts anomalous condition. The road
sees no remedy at present 1t may be that
there is no remedy except in change
of gauge. The road does not desire to
chan &c the gauge, and if the difficulty OF the
North Carolina road can be gotten rid of, then
the matter may be easily settled. The suits
attacking the validity Of the contract with
the North Carolina road are still pending in
the North Carolina courts. 1t is said that
YOU won't break bulk in Richmond.
Why, sir, there wouldn't be. two less
draymen even if the bulk went
through clean. If the merchants want
this trade they will stop it as it passes
and it will flow through. Their enterprise
and vim will then be rewarded. II they are
not energetic and enterprisiug, they don't
deserve it. But they are second to none,
and possess all these requirements. He
hoped, in conclusion, that the Legislature
would grant this privilege to be exercised al
such time as the road may elect.
He said good deal had been said of late
ahout the Richmond and Danville road being
made subsidiary to Baltimore by being cut
off at Danyille. The Lynchburg and Dan
vile road has been built; within afew weeks
II will be open to traffic. 1t is the compe'l-
tor Of the Danvile road and for the trade OF
Richmond. That competition is established
now-it can't be helped. The merchant can
ship his goods direct, and without change,
from Baltimore. 1t is also to compete for
our business South. We must recognize the
fact that the road is there, with sensible men
at the head of it. We must either be hostile
or friendly. We think thatssuch state OF
things as hostility should be obyiated. The
only way to meet it is to strengthen ourselves
by exploring and opening up new country.
In this contest we are met with dlthcul'
ties. We stand shackled. There is no way
to change these things except by change
Of the North Carolina gauge or that OF our
own road. The only reason why our ROAD
is indisposed to make the change now IS the
connection at Burkeville; if this connection
is not cultivated, why the business may De
lost.
The bill which has been reported provides
that the Board Of Public Works may within
twelve months require US to lay third rail
to Burkevile. For fast passenger trains, be
thought, this would be somewhat hazard.
Gus, but for freight it might answer. lie bad
sought in vain to see what objection could
be raised to the Legislatures giving this
privilege. He thought he could convince
any one that it would he to the interest of
the city to make the change; it could not be
OF advantage to allow the track to remain as
it is now.
He only asked to have fair, honest
chance to conduct the road in the interests
of the State of Virginia and her capital city,
Richmond, and connect with the great
through line to the far South. II we get
this legislation the knot is unravelled; an
onnortInity to work for the interests of the
Richmond and Danville road Is anorded.
IF we are locked up we must help ourselves.
He wouldn't say that they would take ad'
vantage OF the presence Of the Lynchourg
and Dapytlle road. The power that built
the Lvnchbtlrg and DanyilIe road may, how
over. do what we will all regret-it may be
too late then. He would not say that II was
heir Intention to extend their road Install
Us in the independent position which we
ask and we can then say to the Lynchburg
and Danvile roaa', and to the Baltimore ana
Ohio road, 90 wha re you choose. Ihis is aii
We ask. .Ee
At the conclusion Of Colonel Buford's re- |
marks, Mr.. B!anken, ship presented me lol-
lowing
PREAMBLE Afr, RESOLUTIONS: |
"Whereas this body, in common with all
Il