The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-10-08
Jacksonville Times Union.I
THE NEW MANAGER.

Interview with Mr.. H. n. Duval, Of
the r. u. Il N. Road.
Mention has been made already in these col
umns that Mr. H. R. Duval has arrived here
to assume charge of the Florida Railway
and Navigation Company's interests rs p,an-
ager.
A reporter was sent yesterday to find Mr..
Duval and ascertain his views ON the pros-
pects of the road etc. He was found at the
auditors Office, hard at work, but readily con-
said:
Before going into my narrative of facts or the
expression ofopnions on my part about our road
desire to correct an announcement published
in your paper some days ago, to the effect that
our road compromised its difficulties with Colo
mel WALES on account of being threatened with
q receivership There was not the remotest
danger OF Colonel WALES suit placing our COM
pany in Q receivers hands, and no considerations
of that character influenced the company in its
action. We simply acted upon the belief that
arbitration was the best and quickest mode of
disposing of the matter. 1t would have been i'm
possible for Colonel WALES 10 have secured re-
ceiver, as in any event was prepared to give q
satisfactory bond for the settlement of any judg-
ment he might have obtained against us, and
Colonel Wales himself disclaimed any desire for
receiver for the company, though he desired q
receiver for its lands.
II believe in arbitration and the friendly SET
tement Of all disputes, and trust to meet all dif
culties which may have arisen prior to my con-
nectiOn with the company, on the same basis
that we have now started in the WALES matter.
While 1 am not responsible for bygones, l trust
to adjust them amicably and to see that justice
is done TO all interests.
II have not sufficiently examined the property
of the railroad company to express any decided
opinions about II yet But ii is regarded as very
valuable by its owners, who have sent me here,
and who are prepared TO act upon my recommen-
dationa They have confded to me the entire
management Of the property and its interests in
this State
Zone of the most pressing duties have at
present is TO settle all the arrearages of pay to
the company's employees, and intend the entire
revenue of the company to be used for that pur-
pose.
II intend to make my headquarters in Jack
ssnville, which think is the proper place for the
headquarters of all the general officers of the
company.
ut is the intention of the owners of the prop
erty to put it in good condition, and to so main
tain it, as they all manifest full faith in its sue
cessful outcome.
II have found considerable complaint from
land purchasers about the delay in the receipts
of the deeds for the lands upon which they have
already made partial payments, and have di-
rected the land officer to prepare deeds and will
have them issued as rapidly as possible, and will
no doubt put those complainants out OF the way
by the 10th of October.
II have noticed that all roads in the State
publish their time tables in your paper except
the Florida Railway and Navigation, and intend
investigating the causes of this exception, and
meantime have requested the General Passen.
ger Agent to supply this omission"
Mr. Duval impresses one favorably at the
| start. A courteous, polished gentleman, with
graceful and easy manners. he puts visitor at
his ease at once. After the business part Of the
interview was over, Mr.. Duval entertained our
reporter with few war "reminiscences He was
in the Confederate army during the war, and
served under General Lee. He was captured by
the Union troops and was for some time confined
IN prison on Johnson's Island.
Mr.. Duval left for Fernandina ON the afternoon
| train, where his family are stopping at the
Srrathmore. He moves to Jacksonville next