The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-05-04
.,ncu, Of President Tenn Scott.


,rhornas A. Scott yesterday formally ten
- his resignation TO the Board OF the
M ~, sylyapia Railroad Company, both as
I,s,,,en, and director, aud II was accepted
lss sincere expressions Of regret and
vs., ,sihuie 10 his great services rendered 20
~. eorporsncn. His retirement was die
VA nv his ply siciSns and his own appre-
EI,.,;,n az the necessity OF absolute rest from
~ cxec,ing cares which, even under the
VI favorable circumstances. must throng
~, The executive head OF so vast comDt-
ust,ian az financial aud business interests.
cn,onel Seat is OF rugged mountain
9Th. having been born under the
laws Of HE Blue Ridge, in Franklin
..,s,v. and his .ron.knit, physical frame
Ia we,, have wiihstood double.tasked
w.c,,ons far beyond the fiiiy-six winters
r~S;cb no,e Ais wears. Although afforded
! ~, limited opportunities, he was called 10
...ronSible position on the Columbia rail-
.,.l hafore ne was Of axe, and from thence
~ entered the service OF the company,
,snr, whose highest chair he now retireS,
=. ,arly ss 1881. Starting in charge OF the
~,,nary's business over the State portage
,os6 on the Aleghenies, &c rapidly rose
- ,he management 81 4 division, then
:, General superintendent In 1853, then
- yjce.proSdent in 1860. and finally 10
-, nresjdency In May, 1874. when the Office
vs. vacated by the death OF Mr.. Thomson.
,se eminent engineer and organizer OF what
now constitutes the great network OF rail-
ways known a the Pennsylvania system.
In addition 10 his responsible railroad labors
spr,pg the war. he was called upon by the
Government to give his ripe experience and
scesl administrative abilities TO the War De-
n,r,ment as Assistant Secretary, and he filed
he position until complete system was in
sngorsied in that important branch OF the
nuh,ic service. The first blow 10 his superb
nhvsical power was given by a violent con-
en,son when be was injured in a railway ac-
eideet on one OF the western lines quarter
q, a century AGO. and the oppressive labors
imposcd up0n him after the financial reyul-
si1n ~ 1878. and especially after his success
ion 10 the presidency in 1874, have many
timcS seriously threatened his overthrow.
3 He has often been forced from his duties
Tor rCst ONLY when the gravest apprehcn-
.nps were felt by those about him that the
limit Of endurance might be passed and
,h,, be would fail in the unequal strug-
gle In the autumn Of 1878 the sequel
10 the story Of bis berculean labor> was
told when partial paralysis called the in-
exorable halt that prudence bad refused. y
wear Of rest in Europe brought relief, but
not cure: and, having filed the full mea-
sure OF public duty 10 those who made him
the guardian of their interests, and gwen
health and prosperity 10 the largest cOTpo-
ration Of the New World, he retires TO the
ret that will no longer be Knocked. No
man in like position IN this or any other
stale has been so much beloved by those
who followed his plume in the many despe-
rate contests be made for the progress that
the whole nation now points TO with the
ketnest pride. Many OF them who were
bi, seniors have filed the measure Of
their DAYS aud gone before; Others
have scattered in the strange mutations
Of Bie, and some yet tarry in every
county Of the State, whose ewes, though
dmmed by growing years, brighten over
the IecolleciiopS OF his fadeleSs friendships,
and whose devotion will endure TO the end
with undated ardor. While the great mass
Of those for whom he has labored and fallen
unumely in the battle of active life, aud
whose fortunes he has protected at unmea-
sured cost, will turn from the setting 10 the
rising sun, there are multitudes of the men
unknown in the great centres OF heartless
fortune with whom his memory will ever be
green. and through whom bis manly attrl-
yidual life upon the world.
There could be but one name presented
a the successor Of Colonel Scott. George
b. Roberts Is the one man who possesses
the ability, experience, and thorough COM
prehensiOn Of the present policy OF the
great corporation. which are indispensable
TO the president Of the Pennsylvania Rail.
road Company. and be Will succeed TO the
responsible position by the united voice OF
the directors and enjoying the un6ounded
trust Of the public. He has been In
most hearty accord with bis predecessor,
and the prominent fitness of his pro-
motion will be universally recognized. The
change will be accepted in abiding faith
that the present wisely-directed policy OF
the company Will be fully maintained. A.
J. Cassatt Will probably succt ed Mr.. Rob-
erts as first yice-president, and bring as
nearly as is possible the same progressive
qualities TO Mr. Roberts that Colonel Scott
brOaght TO Mr.. Thomson when he was
promoted TO the same position.