The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-05-14
Editors Of the Richmond Daiiy DISPATCH !:

h"""o ~ Tue hfChHOHu Dduy DlSpdtch
Dear Sirs,-In your issue OF Yesterday
appeared an article headed "Tbe Potomdc
Boats, Again." which, as it contains some
misrepresentation and misstatements. and
has, moreover, the appearance of an attempt
| to prejudice the public mind against the
management OF the Richmond, Fredericks.
burg and Potomac Railroad Company, ought
to be answered, or, rather. corrected.
In regard to the construction OF the agree.
ment with the Pennsylvania railroad au.
thorties, as 10 which Judge Ould differs
with the majority Of his stockholders, and
has therefore very properly determined to
resign his office, it Is sufficient 10 say that
two lawyers, both eminent in their profess
sion-One at Washington the other at Phlla-
delpbia-have given written opinions direct
ly ayerse to his; so there is certainly room
for an honest difference OF views on that
point. The "iTierests OF the road" il
seems to me, might be trusted to those who
own il.
Now as to the grave Injustice" done
the pennsylvania railroad interest under an
agreement, which, let it be borne in mind,
was mainly OF their own making.
They have under that agreement con-
nectlon with every train the Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Potomac railroad may
run to connect with the Potomac Steamboat
Company's boat at QuanticO; they have all,
or nearly all, the through travel. since the
boat cannot connect with through trains at
Washington excepting with one) they
have all the sleeper travel, all tie mails, and
all, or nearly all, the freight OF every class.
No change whatever has been or is pro-
posed TO be made in the condition Of things
rs regards the connecting railroad con-
irolled by the Pennsylvania railroad inter-
est. All the arrangements for through
travel are entirely undisiurbed.
The "graye Injustice" " OF which. accord
ing 10 the writer OF the article in question,
the Pennsylvania railroad interest COM
plains, and on account OF which 1t proposes
to withdraw" consists solely in this :
That the Richmond, Fredericksburg and
Potomac Railroad Company asserts that it
has the right under It's agreement with the
Pennsy wanna railroad authorities, which il
may or may not exercise, As it sees fit, to
sell through tichetS ria the Potomac Steam
boat C0mpany'S boat at a lower rate than by
the al-raii route. Observe, moreover. the
Richmond. Fredericksburg and Potomac
Railroad Company cannot prevent the Pc.
tomac Steamboat Company from selling
tickets from Quantico to Washington at any
rate it may choose A passenger can pay
his local fare over each line, and thus, per-
haps. save money. The Alexandra and
Fredericksburg Railroad Company can do
the same.
How far the writer OF the article mem
toned j. authorized to speak for the Penn
sylyania railroad interest does not appear,
bet most per3Ons would require to be as
sured that be was so empowered before be-
lievIng that they would, for any reason he
has shown, withdraw" in any degree
from the connection which now exists be-
tween the Alexandria and Fredericksburg
railroad and the Richmond. Fredericksburg
and Potomac railroad. Whatever ncon-
yenience may result 10 the people OF Rich
mond from any such action as that sug.
gested on the part OF the PENNSYLVANIA rail-
road interest should they carry it out,
should be laid to their account. not to that
OF the Richmond. Fredericksburg and PO-
tomac Railroad Company, who claim what,
a. above explained, they have reason to be-
heve their rights. An independent outlet
on the Potomac river j., in the opinion OF
Mr.. Robinson and his friends. and even of
many who disagree with him, Of the utmost
importance 20 the Richmond, Fredericks-
burg and Potomac Railroad Company.
In the present position OF affairs, with the
undiSpnted QdCqnt0geS which the Pennsyl-
vanIl railroad as above explained enjoys
under their existing agreement with the
Richmond. Fredericksburg and Potomac
Railroad Company, the only motive they can
have for destroying an "all-ral connection
with the North" and breaking off their pre-
sent relations with the Richmond, Freder-
icsburg and Potomac Railroad Company is
to deprive this company OF il independent
outlet and leave it wholly at the mercy. as
has happened to others, OF far more pow-
erful corporation. \ STOCKHOLDER
OF the Richmond, Fredericksburg and PO-
tomac Railroad Company.