Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-08-23
THE RAILROAD HosTILITIEs.

ner in which it has been conducted from
the beginning. z4l-,------
The parties in interest have seemed
to proceed upon the theory that to take
possession was TO acquire title-that II
they could but squat upon an unoccu-
pied piece OF ground, they thereby be-
came the supreme sovereigns and pro-
prietors thereof. 1t has been squat
ter sovereignty" campaign, quite as
original and genuine as though they
were operating upon a piece OF unoeeu-
pied territory in the far West.
II we had no laws other than each
corporation chose to make for itself; II
we had no civil mode of procedure by
which to acquire property; if we had no
mode of protecting title to real estate
except by occupying it; then this grab
came that is so often played by railroad
companies might be seemly and justify
able.
Every now and then the same kind OF
q FIGHT. conducted in exactly the same
kind of an uncivilized way, breaks out
between railroad companies at different
points over the country. The same
companies who are engaged in the con-
test here, are re-enacting scenes OF the
same kind at other points on their re-
spective lines.
The Pennsylvania Company have
been endeavoring to cross the b. * U.
Company's line with one OF their
branches at Cumberland for some time,
brt without success. So the b. & ..
Company have been trying to get line
through from Philadelphia to New
York for 10, these many years, but
have been. in turn, successfully thwart-
ell by distractions from the Pennsyl-
yania Company. And, by the way,
we have understood that a proposition
has been made by the b. 4 o. Company
since its contest began here with the
"Pwky," to withdraw all opposition to
the latter's extension to Benwood, pro-
vided the Pennsylvania Company would
allow the b. & 0. to open its line TO
New York city.
There is nothing, therefore, either
unusual or startling in the proceedings
at this point. 1t seems to be common
mode of warfare between railroad COM
NAMES. There is nothing so peculiar or
SO threatening in it as to give cause Tor
alarm on the part of either the city OIL
ticials or citizens. There may have
been occasion for the former to be on
the ground to preserve the peace, but
there has not been and will not be any
occasion for citizens in an unofficial
capacity to take part in the contest IN
any manner or form whatever.
Both of these corporations are COM
petent to take care of themselves. Both
of them have able counsel on the ground
TO instruct them in all their movements
and keep them within the limits OF their
rights under the law. Both OF them are
too wise to take position that cannot
be LEGALLY maintained, or that, at least,
is not well fortified. And point has
now been reached where the whole
matter will be determined by the courts
il there is no officious and ill-timed in
reference by outside parties. As Will
be seen by reference to our news col
umns this morning, an agreement has
been formally consummated between the
parties TO suspend hostilities, II
we NAV so term it, until the legal rights
of the parties can be declared through
the courts, and we trust that the good
sense of all concerned will allow this
course to be pursued without interrupt
ton. 1t is not necessary that the city
involve itself in the quarrel, and much
less is there any occasion for the inter
ference OF private citizens.
1t is very manifest, however, that the
feelings of the community have become
very largely enlisted in the struggle.
We might say with truth that the IN
tcr,st in the extension of the F., W. *
XIV. road has been quite as marked on
the part of the community as by the rail-
road company itself. And this, under
the circumstances, is quite natural. The
manufactures on the south side OF the
creek are very deeply interested in gain
ing more direct and cheaper access to
the coke regions. They are intent upon
having this, and it will undoubtedly be
accomplished before long. IL the b. d
o. road had given them this advantage
by the completion OF the Hemptield,
the feeling that now exists in favor OF
the "Pwyky" extension would not
exist. The IIempfeld could meet the
demand more completely, as the route
would be shorter, than can the other
company. But this has been so long de-
laved that the manufactures have about
abandoned hope that it would be done,
and are, therefore, very naturally dis
posed to give their support to the extern
sion of the p, W. & Ky.
Mr.. KEYsER sets forth some very
plausible reasons, in his cOmmunica-
tons to the REGISTER this morning,
why his Company has not entered upon
this work. lie does not seem prepared,
however, to give any positive assurance
that the work will be undertaken I'M
mediately or within specified
time. Ii he would trans
fer the interest OF the
community from the "Pwyky" extern
sion he can very easily do so 10y giving
an assurance of q speedy completion of
the Hempfeld. He will find that the
citizens of Wheeling will rally quite as
unanimously to the support OF his COM
pany in this enterprise as they now do