The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-07-03
river in connection with the railroad, as
Afternoon Session.

Afternoon Session.
The meeting assembled at 5:30-thc ques-
tion being upon the adoption Of the amend
mcnt offered by Mr.. Branch. to be added to
the second resolution OF Mr.. Biddle's, as
follows:
tIt being understood that nothing in
these resolutions shall be construed as pre-
venting the president and directors from
Offering equal facilities to connecting rail-
road companies at the same hours"
THE LAW on TIE SUBJECT.
Major L. r. Page said that the resolution
OF Mr.. Branch embodied the law OF Eir-
ginia on The subject. II the gentlemen pro-
posing to reestablish the steamboat line de-
sire to Lake the law in their teeth, why let
them here avow it. II they do not grant to
connecting lines the facilities the statutes
require it will be the duty OF the Board OF
Public Werks to have the law enforced.
Major Page said that there had been no at
tempt to answer the cogent and o-erwheIm-
ing logic OF the report OF the president and
directors. He had listened with amaze
ment to the statement Of 9lr. Biddle that
before he (BiddIe) would harm hair OF the
head OF any stockhoder OF the Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad COM
pany he would burn up the $1,000 OF his
boat bonds. And yet he had offered to The
Pennsylvania Railroad Company to call of
their dogs OF war for $4,000 year!
Major. Page made vigorous protest
against the boat scheme, and declared that
the Legislature Of Virginia would not
allow it. The Governor and the Board of
Public Works and Railroad Commissioner
will appeal to the courts and the law.mak-
ing power. Ir this view, how can any one
bn1 bo ~ fh,, roul ut hn,,-t ;r,-
part his support to this cold, selfish, and
adverse policy? "If you propose to exc
cute these measures well see that you have
a laundering time OF it, said the Major,
looking right at Mr.. Biddle.
THE COMPACT VIOLATED.
Maio Page contended that this pToposi-
ton was hostile to the understanding with
the Pennsylvania railroad made before the
Legislature; that it was in violation OF the
compact by. (which the boats were bought
off, and that the boat company had pros
pcrcd and the railroad company been in
pcverished by this union.
WE WILL NOT SUBMIT.
WIN is it, Major Page asked, that the Po-
tomac Steamboat Company is the only COM
pany looked to when we want water con-
rec,ions? When steamboat communication
is necessary why not throw open the door to
other steamboat companies? The Potomac
Company has gotten enough out OF us.
Why not throw open the door to competi-
ton:
The Charge that Mr.. Biddle had offered to
Tom Scott to withdraw the boat scheme for
an amount equal to $4,000 per annum was
again repeated by Major Page. and he in
sisted that the minority had rights which
The majority should respect. lie implored
Mr.. Bidde to hesitate. He warned hiGl
that the very moment that this cruel ana
selfish policy was enforced that Virginia
would discard them and take TO her bosom
Tom Scott or any other company which
would do justice to her citizens.
HOT SHOT.
There is not the slightest indication tL&t
Tom Scott is not keeping faith with us, sa.1 1
Major Page, and now in lcs, than twei"c
months after we have had Our divorce from
this steamboat company ct high zee .tc
are asked to again take up with Ia: is
cardcd enterprise.
Major Page (whose langu9gc we CO not
attempt TO quote except in Jew inst":ce>)
dWet with great force upon the proposition
OF Mr.. BiGdlc to sell out the stcanlhoat
scheme to Tom Scott for SD 900 per AM um,
as showing the prcpo>tcrcuSncss OF the claim
that the boats were to h@ restored "f0r the
good OF the Fredericksburg R'ilroad Com
pany".
DI&cEIMI%A:IG:.:.
Mr.. Biddlc. replying 20 Major Page, said
that il the law required connections TO be
made with all lines, then it was useless TO
pass MIR. Branch'S amendment.
Major Page: 3Ir. BiddIe, ii it Is essen
tial to the Interests OF this corporation 10
restore the boats. hos can you explain
YOUR offer to the Pennsylvania road TO Wit!.-
draw them for @l2, 900 per annum?
Mr. Biddle: The $4,000 IS scarcely one
hall OF the loss that is borne by the stock
holders on account OF tie dlcncSS of the
boats
Mr.. Branch: The stockholders oi this
railroad company:
Mr. Biddc: No; the stockholders ol the
boat company. The actual expenses OF the
steamboat company l. about &!4,b1V per
annum. That j. maintained by some OF the
largest stockholders. Of whom Mr.. honcurc
Robinson is one. The proposal WAS to pay
81. 900, and then We will be at peace and
harmony. because our steamboat company
will be preserved and ready for Use when
needed. I don't think l would get cent
out OF it or my $1,000 interest in the boat
company.
Mr.. Branch asked what was tie capital
stock OF the steamboat company.
Mr. Bid,ie said he didn't know. Some
one said that it was 100000.
Mr.. Branch Then, $4,000 would pay
you all six per cent.
Ilr. Biddc went on to sag that tie man
who said blackmaiI" with regard TO him
had never read Johnson'S Dictionary Alright,
and he defended his position III the whole
matter.
Mr.. Bidd!c is very iat and good-hE-
morcd man. He had a hard light, and 4
sinrlc-handcd one against big odds most all
day. and at times he was very closely r,lshcd.
More than once he got quite out OF breath.
Il was iiiec q bi" locomotive pulling up Il
,,ountain-siGc and not making much pro-
gre>s.
4 PERTINENT QUESTION.
Colonel II. z. Jones asked ii 2.G00 from
thr Frcderlcksbur" Railroad Company
wouldn't buy the boats oil:
Major Page said il so, perhaps it would
be we'll for the railroad company TO pay the
money and pension oil the o!d veteran.
Mr.. Biddlc sail that it might be to his
interest, but lie would, nevertheless, De
sorry to see the company i'll that position.
DIR. ANDERSON.
Dr. Anderson, OF Hanover, next ad-
dressed the meeting against the boat scheme.
He cot from Mr.. Biddle the admission that
however willing he Iaight be to listen 10
these appeals he was pledged to 20 through
with this business. He could not yield with
oul consultation with and confirmation from
lis able and distinguished friend" the
greater mind.' he called him.
Some gentleman then suggested that II
Mr.. Biddle would give way he would move
i: ..... g.. a ,,,nn.h ca flint Mr. Rlluln