Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-12-22

ties have been discharged during the past
year.
All of which is respectfully submitted by
JOHN 5. BARBOUR, President.
Mr.. 5arbour's Remarks Declining Reelection.
Mr.. Barbour, in returning thanks 10 the
gentleman who had put him in nomination
for reelection as President, said that in
| view of all The surroundings ho had come
to hc conclusion to decline a reelection,
and 10 retire from the Presidency of the
Company with the expiration Of the present
year.
1t is we'll known that for several years
past the majority Of the stock of the Nir-
ginia Midland Railway Co. had been held
/ by parties who at the same time own and
control the extensive southern railway lines
which form what is called the Richm ond
and Dspvile 4. Il system These gentle
nell possess an aggregation of railroad
properties and control lines outside of the
Virginia Midland Railway. 1t is but natu
raj and reasonable that the owners of the
system referred to should desire to combine
their properties in q general scheme, and
10 operate their several lines through sin.
Sle management. He had recognized from
Inc beginning that this policy would be
t'opctl, dDu lildt IL Was oHiy IuSSbiOu vi
lime when il would be established. He had
sad from the start to the purchasers
of the stock of the company that whenever
a change of administration was deemed
desirable and common management de-
icrmined upon, he was ready to withdraw
from the position OF President of the COM
pany. He saw that his interests and rela-
lions were exclusively confined to the Va.
Midland Ry aud that he could not properly
represent connecting lines in the II. & d. R.
Il. system in which he had neither substan
lial power or interest, and however reluc-
iant he might have been to retire from the
position so long held in the company and
to quit the employment which has been the
main work Of his life he felt it due to him
self under the circumstances and in har-
mony with tho fitness of things to with
draw. He thought that this measure of
consolidated management was step in the
right direction and rightly and fairly adj
ministered should result in benefit to the
special interests of the Va. Midland Com
pauy as well as TO the whole system.
He had an abiding faith in the present
value of the Midland Railway, as a
property in its future prospects, and in the
ultimate Progress and Improvement of the
country through which it extends, and
which, he trusted, would receive the foster
ing care Of his successor. He was sure the
stockholders would indulge him in referring
10 his long connection with the company rs
ailorlng some callSe Of pride at the results
accomplished during his term of Office, but
which at the same time was source of pain
and regret at the severance of official and
personal associations which have existed
with ali who have been connected with him
IN the affairs of the railroad.
Al an early period of his active life he
vas elected President of the Orange and
Alexandria L. IL. Co. when the track only
extended a few miles out from Alexandria
Into the county Of Fairfax, and it's financial
condition comparatively limited. The line
of railway was gradually extended first to
,iordousville, afterwards constructed under
much difficulty and with but little State or
other financial aid from Charlottesville to
Lynchburg, to meet The line then but
recently constructed known as the Virginia
and Tennessee Railroad. During the civil
war the line of this railroad became the
battle ground OF both armies and suffered
exceptional damages and loss both of track
way AMI equipment; indeed, at the termina-
ton OF hosliities the renewal was practical
| ip equivalent to reconstruction.
Since 1865 important extensions have been
made. The Manassas Branch as lateral
line was acquired, renewed, and extended
| to HarriSDnburg and communication eStab
lished with the Valley of Virginia. Subse-
quenLly the Lynchburg and Danville Rail-
road, was constructed and incorporated
with the company, which made the union
Of the present system possible. The +. 4
+. II. r., a lateral feeder TO the main line
between Lynchburg and Danviie, extend
ing to Rocky Mount, in Franklin county,
was sIso built substantially upon the credit
of this company and leased by it, and last
/ bnt not least the important link in the con-
! tinuily ofthe main line from Orange Court
House 10 Charlottesville was finally sup
piled in like manner though nominally or
ganized under The name and style of the
Charlottesville and Rapidan Railroad Co.
All these results were accomplished in his
admins ration, and the line Of railroad ex.
tended from the Potomac, southwest to the
| North Carolina border.
Mr. Barbour said lie should always refer with
| satisfaction To the relations Of good will and
kindly consideration he had endeavoured to Gull
tyate with tho people residing in the country
lying along the line of the railroad, and the in
terest he had taken in the promotion of their
material interest in his official capacity. There
was never Il mine to be opened a new industry
;,licd to, encouragement and assistance. In his
opinion an identity Of interest exists between
railroads and their local communities, and the
prosperity OF the latter was necessarily reelected
n large extent upon the former in the increase
| OF business aud enlarged potts of transportation.
Mr. Btrbour was satisfied that this line of policy
would he continued because of its obvious pro-
pricty and expniicncy. He urged the claims
which the City Of Alexandria presented especial
~ for full recognition in the future operations of
the company, both ON account Of its location as
the Northern terminus Of tac line, possessing rs
distributing point uncquallcd facilities of ship
meat by water and rail- and because also of tho
financial obligations incurred bv her people in
the original construction Of the road and for
which to some extent they still taxed.
Mr. Barbour said in conclusion that he would
do injustice to himself aud to his emotions upon
this occasion if he failed TO refer in appropriate
terms to the officers and employees Of the Com
pany who had long been associated with him
in the conduct Of its affairs. In his deliberate
Judgment there WAS not organization in the |
country in whose service could he found more
faithful, efficient and competent body of men. |
He parted with them with sincere regret and