Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1885-07-23
That Railroad Dicker.

The newspapers report very confidently
the conclusion of the negotiations between
Vanderbilt and the Pennsylvania railroad,
and tell fs that the Beech Creek and
South Penn railroad builders are
summoned to New York to hear the re-
suit and to accept the terms their associate,
Vanderbilt, has made for them. The Penn
sylvania road is to get 60 per cent. of the
Beach Creek railroad stock and the Clear
hsld Coal company's stock, and is to guar
antee the payment of interest upon bonds
representing the cost of the Beech Creek
and South Pennsylvania enterprises, and is
to be given full control of the latter. 1t is
a pretty scheme for the extinguishment of
rivalry to the Pennsylvania road, but
though sworn to be all settled, we continue
to indulge our doubts of the accomplish
ment.
1t is surprising enough that Mr.. Wander
bilt should desire thus to retire from his
well considered Pennsylvania projects that
are so promising of fruitful results. And
it will be more surprising if the reputa-
BILE gentlemen associated with him consent
to accompany him in his retreat, or rather
to be kicked down the stairs ahead of him.
We know some of them to be men Of
stamina and stature, with abundant ability
withal to command the capital to compass
their desires They are not men to be
treated by Mr.. Vanderbilt as his slaves.
We would like to know how Senator
William A. Wallace, of Pennsylvania,
would look, emerging from the door at the
end of Mr.. Vanderb!lt's foot. Senator
Wallace is not man to be thus treated.
He is not likely to assume the posture.
Somebody will get hurt before that thing
is successfully done. And when Vanderbilt
gets through with our old friend Hostetter,
too, he will begin TO understand that his
hundred millions are not as big as he
thought they were.
You see there is good deal of law
standing in the way of this deal, and even
II Senator Wallace and the other hitherto
reputable men supposed to be engaged in it
were so, they would have to run amuck
against the state of Pennsylvania and its
attorney general, to say nothing of the
AtSoehiS ~ NIiiO,
before they got through with it. And if
Mr. Vanderbilt's partners are virtuous and
self-respectful enough to kick back at him
they can bury him deep under the law
The constitution of Pennsylvania says that
no "railroad, canal or other corporation, or
the leSSees, purchasers or managers of any
railroad or canal corporation, shall consoli-
date the stock, property or franchises
OF such corporation with, or lease or pur-
chase the works, or franchises Of, or in any
way control any other railroad or canal cor
poration, owning or having under its con-
troll parallel or competing line.n
That was intended to cover just such
dicker as this is reported to be, and its
terms are sufficient for its purpose. The
Pennsylvania railroad cannot directly or
indirectly obtain the control of either the
Beech Creek or the South Pennsylvania
rilroad. II is not possible for it in any
way 10 so whip the devil around the stump
as TO lawfully do what it is said TO propose
80 do. And it is to be assumed that what
&t cannot lawfully do, it win not be able 10
40; and therefore that all this talk Of lis
swallowing these conflicting roads, is ms de
Tor sto,kiobbing purposes,