The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-04

| rail day line could be gotten-indeed, be
was prepared to say that the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company were anxious te
make such an arrangement. 1T could be sc
/ fixed that the train would leave New York
| at $3.50 O'clock instead OF 8, and all the mai
(which is not now collected in time for the
rs o'clock train could thus be given quick
transit through Richmond southwark
whereas unless some such policy prevailed
a great portion OF the mail was likely to
pass over other routes around Richmond. :,
General Logan presented his points clear
| ly and with completeness OF detail as to
time OF arrival and departure OF trains on
the principal routes.
/ THE STATE ASKS FOR TIME.
| Colonel Hilary P. Jones, for himself and
the other representatives Of the State, Of
fered the following resolution
Resoiued, That the resolutions introduced
by Mr.. Robinson, and looking to the re-
establishment OF the steamboats, on the Po-
tomac connecting with the road, be referred
to committee OF i've, to be selected by tne
chairman of this meeting, which committee
is hereby authorized and empowered to
thoroughly examine into the expediency Of
adopting the policy proposed by the said
resolutions, and make their report to the
stockholders as soon as practicable.s
LIGHT AND DARKNESS.
| Major Leigh R. Page said he was one OF
those who prefer light rather than darkness.
| He had no exact information upon the sub
| ject-points touched by Mr.. Robinson's re-
solutions, and therefore desired the COM
mittee appointed to investigate and report.
In a general way he knew THAT this railroad
company had paid very large amount OF
money to be rid Of the steamboat connec-
ton. Likewise, he had heard that the re-
preseptatives of the State had made efforts
to discover what the nature OF MIR. Robin
sons propositions would be here to-day,
and they had received no fitting response.
He knew, too, generally that when the
steamboat connection did subsiSt it did not
enure to the advantage Of the company, but,
on the contrary, had entailed upon it. by rea-
son Of subsidies and guarantees, loss. While
he knew these things in a general way, his
mind was not made up, and he wanted all
the light which could be obtained, with The
help Of an intelligent and non-partisan
committee. II it was designed to repeat the
experiment OF the steambo connection,
Major Page desired that the reason should
be based upon solid foundation. He knew
| that the railroad between Quantico anu
| Washington was built. That is a physical
fact. It will subsist if sold. No matter
who controls it, it will be in the hands Of
those whose interest it will be to run it in
connection with this road. Their interest
is identical with ours in maintaining this
connection. There is no complaint that
they have not performed their contract.
For all these reasons, Major Page thought
committee desirable and proper.
LOCAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
80 iIo1 Iphi
Robinson's associate as proxy, thought
that every proper consideration should be
given local and State influences, but the
main question after all with the stockhold-
ers is one Of profit and loss. Shall present
arrangements continue, entailing loss from
year to year, or shall a new and better
policy be adopted-one that will lead to
better resultsp
Mr.. Biddle admitted, in conclusion, that
it was a momentous subject, and ne ap--
pealed to stockholders to give pause and
consideration. -.y..-s-
Major Page: We, too, want pause and
consideration. That's all we ask, and in
that view we ask for the committee.
Mr.. White, of Norfolk, expressed sur
prise that it should be the wish OF any stock
holders to reestahlish the steamboat line,
which had, from all accounts, been such
burden upon the company.
MIR. Biddle replied that there was mark
ed difference in this proposition. The
steamboats, were to be run ct no cost to the
railroad company. Formerly they were run
at possible cost to the company.
IS THERE VALID OBJECTION TO DELAY?
MIR. White urged the appointment OF the
committee as measure of safety. and de-
cIared that if he could be convinced that
the proposition Of Mr.. Robinson would in
crease the revenues Of the company he
would be willing to vote for it.
Mr.. Dimpfel, OF Philadelphia, said that 1t
was not fair to ascribe the falling off in reve-
nue. which the company has suffered to the
rail connection railroad business. every
where had fallen off, and If it had not done
so here it would have been remarkable ex-
ceptlon. He was proceeding to state the
wrongs which the railroad company suf-
fered by the former steamboat arrangement
when
Mr.. Blddle Gnterrupting): That's not in
order; all that is dead and buried.
Mr.. DimpfeI: But. my dear sir, you are
proposing to regalyanize it. Laughter.
Mr.. Dimpfel urged the appointment OF
committee, and declared that piece OF bl-
siness OF such magnitude ought not to be
done without the intervention OF commit
tee.
TIE STATE SEEKING INFORMATION.
Colonel Jones said that the State had taken
all possible steps to obtain in advance infor-
nation about the measures here proposed
to-day, and had failed. The proxies had
written TO Mr.. Mencure Robinson and had
gotten in reply no definite answer. lie ar
gued that the loss Of business was due to the
general depression, not to the northern con-
nection; for while the through travel had
only decreased eleven per cent, local travel
had decreased nineteen.
Mr.. Conway Robinson expressed surprise
that the States proxies had said that they
did not know that this proposition would
be made here to-day. He was informed
that they had been advised on the subject
some time ago.
Colonel Jones thereupon read the CORE
spondence. The State proxies protested
against the reestablishment Of. the steam
boat line, and indicated their purpose to
take every possible step to prevent it, and
asked OF Mr.. Moncure Robinson answers
to four distinct questions. The reply from
Mr.. Robinson was directly responsive to
only one, and was to the effect that il the
steamboats, were reestablished no subsidy
would be expected from the railroad COM
pany.
MR.. CONWAY ROBINSON OPPOSED TO DELAY.
Mr.. Robinson maintained that by arrange
ments which they proposed to make by way
OF Shepherd the New York mail would be
brought here, as quickly as by the all-rail
route. He was unable to see any good to
come from the committee proposed. Any
information that the committee could OBJ
tain could as well be obtained by this stock
holders meeting. He meant to vote against