The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1882-06-03
THE GEORGETOWN MEETING.
Synopsis Of Mr.. Watson's Speech
Public Sentiment Changing In
Favor Of the Railroad.

1 the people Oh OeorgelOWn were du'
dressed on the subject of the railroad
subscription by VIM. E. Watson
ESQ.,, S. P. Barker, Esq, and Major
ID. B. Stewart. The latter gentleman
spoke but few minutes, in opposi-
ton to the subscription. His oppo-
sition was not violent, but discovered
desire to know that the subscrip-
ton of the county would not be
"gobbled up,' and that it would
accomplish the desired results. We
regret that we are not able to report
an abstract of all the speeches. Not
expecting to be called upon to per-
form the duty of reporter, we were
not supplied with paper sufficient to
report all Of them. The meeting
/ was well attended. There is consid-
cradle interest beginning to manifest
| itself in this and adjoining neigh
borhoods. The people are coming
out in favor Of the subscription, in
great numbers 1t has gained many
friends within the past few days,
People are beginning to think that it
will not pay to vote down the sub
scription.
Mr.. Watson said: II am glad to
see so many persons present to night.
/ ask you to lay aside all prejudice,
to consider not myself or any corpor-
alton as the one to be benefited by
the road; but bring the question
-Wil it pay-home to yourselves;
to your county; to your State? If
you think, after due consideration
that you, nor your county, nor your
State will be benefited thereby, and
you vote against it, / shall commend
you for it.
"The county court passed an order
submitting to the people of Monon-
gala county the proposition to vote
$150,00O to the capital stock of some
solvent railroad company, to be used
in constructing a railroad from some
point on the Pennsylvania line,
through the county of Monongalia
to the the town of Clarksburg, in
Harrison county. I ask: Why this
order? What causes induced the
court to submit this order to the
people2 1t is your duty to investi-
gate the matter. If anything warns
you that the subscription will be
'gobbled up" oppose it.
"Why this order? The B. & O. r.
R. has control Of this part of the
State. 1t owns everything; does all
hauling for this county at its own
prices. 1t holds sway without check
from any power. We have to foot
the bill-to pay all their grinding
exactions. This is an attempt to
induce the company to deal out even
handed justice to us.
"We have attempted to accomplish
this by legislation; but we have fail
ed. They send more delegates than
we can send.
"Again l ask: Why this order?
Failing to obtain just rates the peo-
pie of Harrison, Marion and Monon-
| gala counties propose to form them
selves into an organization to protect
themselves. Who are the men get
ting up this movement? They are
the business men of these counties;
they own property; they patronize
the B. & 0. Railroad, they have felt
the oppression, and they are seeking
relief. Are you afraid they are try
ing to swindle the people? They
would suffer equally with you and
me. They live among us; they are
our own fellow citizens; zoe can look
them in the face; they can not afford
to humbug the people. If we cannot
trust these, / should be at loss to
4 know where to find men to trust.
aThe proposition is to build the
road from the Pennsylvania line to
the town of Clarksburg. The objec-
ton has been offered that this is too
indefinite; that a particular route
should have been laid down. This
could not be. Each county-is to be
Stockholders part and parcel OF
the company. To survey route
from the Pennsylvania line to Clarks-
burg, would involve an expense OF
| $4,000 or $4,000. Nobody would be
willing to risk this expense and then,
perhaps, Monongalia say: evil
not 60 inr But if Monongalia comes
mp and says: we will help you; we
have faith in our resources, what
will the officers of the company say
'Monongalia has done her part--the
work goes forward and | have nc
doubt that soon after June 10th you
will see the chain carriers. Many
routes may be surveyed. The road
will be located where the interests Of
the county and company demand it
s'Now, gentlemen, will it pay te
Exote this subscription? Men should
be careful how they invest in any
enterprise. I commend men for it
The world is full of frauds.
There are two ways by which We
may Judge whether it will pay. 1st--
Saving more money than a thing
costs. 2nd-Bringing back more
money than the outlay, we would say
pays. Ask yourselves-will it pay
me9 Not Ed Watson, not r. i
Lowndes, not the w. Va. 4 Penna
R. r. Co.
| use your judgment, gentlemen
and then consider whether it will pay
you to vote down the subscription.