The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-13
r,ETERs.ryRG.

PETERSBURG.
ras PETERSBURG RAILROAD, AGhIS--A pro-
7ssT AGAINST THE PURCHASE OF THE ROAD
gY THE CrTr-THE OBJECTIONS URGED TO
The SCHEME DECLARED TO BE UNwIsE Ard
,MpoLfrrc--THE CITY REerEsTED TO PUR-
CEASE IT'S PRErERRED sTocg----sAN OLD SUM
DAr.scHooL socIETY-THE MERCHANTS AND
THE SAMPLE-DRuAMERs.
rcorrcspondencc Of the Richmond Dispatch.1
- 4. FEBRUARY IL, 1873.
The meeting OF citizens at the court
house last night to oppose the scheme adj
yocated by other citizens for the purchase
os the Petersburg railroad by the city was
on,te numerously attended. Many Of the
Commemorative people OF tho community
wore there. MIR. William f.. Spotswood,
president OF the Common Council, was
called 10 the chair, and q committee on
bus;uess was appointed, who reported a
nreamble and resolutions declaring the pass
ace by the Legislature OF the State OF the
lin framed by the conference Of citizens last
week looking to the purchase OF the road
by the city to be unwise, impolitic, and cal
culated to damage the material interests Of
the CITY. The preamble embraces eight
points OF objection to the bill and its object,
which may be stated briefly as follows: First.
Eyperienee demonstrates that municipal
cornorations cannot successfully manage
railroads with profit to the corporation and
TO the interests of its citizens. Second. BY
every consideration Of right, expedicncy,
and universal usage. the City Council
should have control OF all the property OF
the city. Third. The. commission consti-
,uted by the bill is granted the very
unusual power OF perpetuating. itself ];
is practically empowered to purchase the
stock on which the city has lien,
without limit Of price, and may re-
uuire the Council to furnish the money
to buy said stock. Fourth. Upon the
said bill becoming law the sum OF 1000
will be taken irGm the assets OF the city and
invested in speculative enterprise without
security. Fifth. The proposed action VIII
ipiurionsly affect the credit OF the city.
Sixth. The commission is not limited TO
price in purchasing a controlling interest
in the road. Seventh. The example set by
such legislation will be very pernicious;
there is no guarantee or safeguard against
future amendments to the bill increasing
the number of commissioners. Eighth.
The commission is granted such absolute
powers that it is not even required TO make
any report-annual or otherwise-oI the
management, expenditures, and results OF
this great property.
II was therefore resolved that the pro-
posed measure to enable the city to become
The owner or controller OF the Petersburg
railroad is injudicious, impolitic, and likely
to result to the damage and not TO the benc-
tit Of the city and its inhabitants. a COM
mittee OF five gentlemen was appointed to
present copy OF the preamble and resolu-
lions to the Legislature, and to request our
representatives TO oppose the passage cf the
proposed bill.
A resolution was also adopted requesting
the Council to become the purchaser OF the
cty's preferred and common stock OF the
railroad. to be sold here on the 18th OF
March, at 4 sum not exceeding the amount
due on the said stock.
Mr.. S. w. Venable, chairman the FL
nance Committee, while speaking on this
resolution, stated that the committee had re-
ceived numerous propositions to purchase
this stock privately, and had been asked 10
fix price upon it.. He was OF opinion that
no combination could possibly be formed
which could reduce this stock below its
face valuation Of S330,000.
A committee appointed by the chairman
Of last nights meeting is waiting on the
citizens to-day inviting signatures to the
above resolutions Of protest. -.s.
The friends OF the scheme for the pur-
chase OF the road declare that it Will not add
one cent to the indebtedness OF the city,
nor in anywise impair its credit, but in the
end will prove vast benefit not only to the
CITY, but to the people. They, furthermore,
do not sec the reason of the objections
urged to the passage Of the bill, since the
matter of the purchase OF the road is to be
referred TO the people for ratification or re-
lection. And thus the matter stands, with O
good deal 81 feeling manifested on both
sides.
Up to this writing no clue has been OBJ
tanned TO The burglars who committed the
robberies in this city on Saturday night,
and Mr.. Tenant has heard nothing OF the
valuable silverware stolen from him.
At the siXty-frst annual meeting Of the
First SabDath-School Society Of this city,
held evening before last, Hon. Charles 4.
Collier was elected president, Mr.. A. g.
McIlwaine vice-president, and Mr.. John
Donnan treasurer. This is the parent socle-
ty OF the Protestant Sunday schools in this
CITY. When organized the schools OF the
several denominations were united. AS
wears passed and these denominations in
creased in strength they organized Sunday
schools OF their own, aud the First Society
was left with the Presbyterians, who have
kept I'D the organization ever since.
In response to a call for that purpose, the
merchants OF this city will meet this even
ing to memorabilia the General Assembly
to impose special tax on sample-mer.
chants. ROBIN ADAlR. Il
CULPEPER COUNTY.