The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-01-13

1ne message OF Governor Cameron 10
the Senate, the substance OF which was
given in this paper yesterday morning, was
opened and read yesterday, as follows:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA,
| GOVERNORS OFFICE, January 10, 1882. !
To the Senate of Virginia:
return herewith Senate Bill No. q, Of
which the title is, "A bin to ratiiy and
confirm the consolidation OF the Richmond
and Southwestern Railway Company with
the Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio Narrow
Gauge Railroad Company, under the name
and style of the Richmond and Louisville
| Railroad Company"
The avowed objects Of this bill (and | do
not mean TO challenge the motives with
which II has been prepared) heartily sus-
tain. But, after mature consideration OF
! the measure as submitted. gravely doubt
/ ing the results to follow upon It's operation,
and in the light Of recent political discus
sions, am constrained through considera-
tions OF public duty and policy to withhold
my approval Of the bill.
| shall briefly call your attention to the
reasons that exist for this reluctant action.
believing that, having considered, you will
agree with them. Anxious TO promote
every legitimate enterprise looking to the
development Of the State and the prosper
ity Of the people, il is with regret that
/ even appear to hinder or delay the accom-
plishmcnt Of any project Of internal i'm
proyement. Especially is this so when the
/ particular
SECTION TO BE TRAvERSED
/ is that richest i'm resource and most neces-
sitous of opportunity. The counties
| through which this railroad is expected to
pass are those which possess everything
/ but the means of conveying TO market the
wealth they produce and might produce.
| The people of Southwest Virginia are en-
/ titled TO all the encouragement the sover-
eighty Of the Commonwealth can give TO-
wards bringing their boundless supply OF
agricultural and mineral products to mar
ket.
Nv objections to the bill do not extend
to the lines OF railway laid down, or to
the proposed consolidation OF these lines.
These objects would advise and advance.
The construction OF a road upon the con-
templated route is desirable, and ] see no
objection TO any legislation to secure its
construction and protect it when built.
But / cannot assent TO that proyi-
sion Of the charter submitted which
cOnfers powers unnecessary to the ac-
complishment Of its ayowed objects
powers extraordinary, and in my iudg-
ment dangerous. The fourth section OF
the bill grants authority to the Richmond
and Louisville Railroad Company to con-
solidate with any other railroad company
now existing or which may hereafter be
chartered, within or without this State,
upOn such terms as may be agreed upon
between it and such other company, DC.
respectfully submit that this general and
ABSOLUTE SURRENDER
bv the State of Virginia OF all power in the
premises cannot be necessary TO invite
either domestic or foreign capital necessary
to consideration Of the work demanded by
this act.
The privileges sought at your hands are
out of all proportion to the ayowed ends.
and are inconsistent with the interests OF
those people whose assistance is primarily
invoked. The fulfilment OF this work, so lar
as the people of Virginia are to be benefit
ed. cannot be dependent upon conditions
which at least suggest Interior objects. In
anxiety to attract investment our legls-
lation NAV be so lax rs to excite
suspicion and repel enterprise. The
experience OF this State in respect
to delegated powers is very recent
and very instructive. In the light OF that
experience the policy Of Virginia, as
determined by her people, is distinctly
adverse to any surrender OF sovereignty.
In fact, the right and power Of the Legis-
lature TO part with that sovereignty Is, and
l think, properly denied. In any view,
THE FOURTH SECTION
Of this bill places it within the power
whether sought or not or to be used or
not of chartered corporation TO deliver
itself under any stress OF financial reduc-
tion or other influence bound hand and
foot TO the control OF individuals or corpo-
rations alien i'm interest to this Common
wealth and beyond the control Of the Le-
gislature or the jurisdiction OF the courts.
| do not propose to erect standard OF
INDICTMENT superior to that OF the repre-
sentatives of the people in the General As
sembly; but it is my duty, and l would be
recreant if did not discharge it, to Sug-
pest such objections TO the legality
and policy of the grant in ques-
ton as have arisen upon my eNalnl-
nation of the subject. 1t is my firm
conviction, fortified by authority, that
the language above quoted-to wit: $40
consolidate with any other railroad COM
panv now existing or which may hereafter
he chartered within or without this State
upon such terms as may be agreed upon be-
tween It and such other company" &c.--
confers upon the Richmond and Louisville
Railroad Company such authority as, with
ont anv benefit to legitimate purposes by
that character proclaimed, may deprive the
It l. afa II oil over
the affairs of said company, and may take
away from the citizens OF this Common
wealth all right to seek
REDRESS FOR WRONG
received from this corporation at the hands
OF our own tribunals, cannot solve with
nv signature even this doubt, that crea-
tIlre shall he stronger than its creator.
The grant is broad, sweeping, general.
II the lines contemplated by this charter
were already constructed, il would then be
time enough to grant the power OF CONSOLE
dation with other companies, within or
without the State, and even then having
objects not antagonistic to the interests OF
those whose grace was sought, and whose
interests should be second, il would be lit
file enough TO ask the favor, stating the aims
and terms OF the consolidation sought.
Privilege Is asked; purpose should be
known, and security should he given. l
fear that i'm allowing this charter, as now
framed, to become a law, | might erect
corporation with
POWERS TO TRANSFER ITS FRANCHISES
beyond the State OF Virginia, and to those
who could and might defeat the object OF
its creation.
In support of these views ! refer to Rail-
road Company Us. Koonltz et dts., recently
decided, In which the Chief Justice OF the
United States, delivering the opinion OF a
unanimous court, held that suits instituted
ogoinst Virginia railroad under lease 10 a