The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-03-11
PETERSBURG.

PETERSBURG.
THE PETERSBURG RAILROAD ELRcrfoN--fHE 3
n,IL REJECTED BY A LARGE MAaoRiff- --
FRIENDS AND OPPONENTS OF THE SCAkME
VOTE AGAINST IT---A SURPRISING AHNouASE.
,trST FROM THE FRIENDS OF THE BILL, AND
TIM EFFECT THGREoF--THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY VOTE AS UNIT AGAINST THE BiLL--
p,v1c TX wD--c0NFJRMATfoSBy BIsH.
OF wHITTLE, &C, &c.
,c,,rcsnondenee OF the Richmond Dispzfch.1
March 8, 1878.
Tho discussion OF the Petersburg railroad
o,,ss,ion was closed last night at the Acade-
q ,nr ~ Music in the presence of an immense
nasemh]arc OF people. Speeches were made
Mr Senator william E. Hinton and General
W;ll;om Malone in advocacy OF the bin.
va nv Major Charles s. Stringfellow IN
nnnos,tion. With the knowledge that gen.
,,rnrn O, such prominence were to discuss
no measure, it could not otherwise be ex-
,,nc,cd than that they would have very
},roe audience. The discussion assumed a
vide range, and the past, present, and
frtnrc Of the Petersburg railroad received
,borouch ventilation. The speaking COM
monrcd q, s o'clock and was not concluded
nn,;l O'Clock this morning. 1t was at
times intensely interesting and exciting,
and the audience remained unbroken until
the close.
The Republican party also held a large
meeting last night 10 consider the railroad.
Speakers were present to advocate the pur-
chase of the road by the city, but ii was
with difficulty that they could make them
selves heard, such seemed TO be the oppo-
sition to the scheme. Peter G. Morgan,
chairman of the Republican Executive
Committee, and Mr. j. ii. Van Auken,
United States inspector, spoke against the
bill to enable the city to purchase the road,
and the crowd present was almost unanI-
mouslv in sympathy with them; and it was
decided 10 vote to-day against the ratifica-
ton OF the bill by the people. With the divi-
sion OF sentiment existing among the white
people OF the city on the subject this action
Of the Republican party made the defeat OF
the bill certain by a considerable majority.
When this action OF the Republicans came
10 the knowledge OF the friends of the rail-
road bill hast night meeting Of number
OF the gentlemen who had taken n leading
and prominent part i'll advocacy Of the bill
was held at a late hour OF the night, and as
result OF that meeting the following card
appeared in the papers OF this morning:
"lNroRTANT TO THE FRIENDS OF THE RAIL-
ROAD B,I.L.-Though we announce our I'M
shaken faith in the principles, the wisdom,
and the objects OF the railroad bill. reasons
OF the gravcSt character, which will in due
time be given to the people, compel us to
advise It's friends to go to the polls and vote
against it. "W. Z. HINTON. Jr.,
civilian MALONE,
as. 2. ARLINGTON,
"SAMUEI B. PAUL,
IT. j. JARRATT,
"JoHN r. PATTERSON,
ar. r. ARLINGTON,
land Others"
This card. of course. caused great sur
prise in the community, aud the conjec-
tGrts have been numerous during the day
Is 10 the reasons for issuingit. There seems
10 have been some ground for the belief that
the Radicals, taking advantage Of the divi-
SION among the whites on the subject, might
spring trap to-day and elect the Board of
Commissioners, and thereby secure the pre-
>dent and control OF the road. How strong
this ground Of belief might be, in face Of
the fact that the Radicals have to-day voted
unanimously against the bill. | am unpre-
pared to say. There were doubtless other
and stronger reasons that Influenced the
friends OF The bill 10 advise all who favored
it to vote against it.
The result OF the card has been to cause
very little interest in the election, the cast
ing OF fewer votes than would otherwise
have been polled, and a very quiet day gen.
orally. Friends and opponents OF the bill
generally voted against it.
The following is the result Of the vote in
tbe city Oh the bill:
Fer hss En,!f 4s'i,'sailon s Is
For appropriation of 100000 by the city,
As 1s nSnS5zea sS ss act " 30
In the midst of the discussion at the
Academy Of Music last night, after the close
OF General Mahone's speech, some one in
the gallery gave the cry of "Fire" in loud
voice, which was repeated by others, and
for few moments the large assembage was
thrown into great excitement. Those near
the doors rushed out, and the windows
were raised to afford egress. Fortunately
no one sustained any injuries, though the
ruSh-eSpeciallyi in the galleries--was great.
Quiet was restored in few minutes.
Bishop Wbittle preached at Grace church
last night to very large congregation, and
confirmed n class of thirty-tve persons. He
visits st. Paufs church tonight, where
quite large class will be presented to him,
and st. Johns and st. Stephens churches
tomorrow.
The press OF this city have made arrange
nents iur the annual meeting OF the Press
Association OF Virginia on Wednesday next,
and for the reception and entertainment of
the visiting brethren. A banquet will be
given in honor Of the Association on the
evening Of the 18th.
An ATTEMPT was made last night to break
into the residence of Mr.. +. G. Venable,
on Washington street. Mr. Venable was
awakened by the burglar, and fred two
shots from his pistol at him as he ran off
through the yard. ROBIN ADA1R.
ESSEX COUNTY.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l