The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1885-05-01
Presentation.

The Hon James Fentrcss, General 6olic-
itor Of the Company, and natoy Allison, OF
Iowa were also Of The party.
President Clarke invited Us lgo Fentress to
4 conference Of some Importance in the
| Dirtetors special car and surprised him on
entering by uncoyering a beautiful silver
ten service, and in few well chosen words
presenting il 10 him in the nafae q livestock
holders Of the Illinois Central Company.
Judge Fentress responded as follows:
''Mr President and gentlemen: Theirs Is
one thing thar / value even more than the
good viii Of nay employers, and that is the
approval of my own conscience; but next 10
that aud the approval Of my Father in
Heaven, l value the manifestation OF the
Aood will Of those whom / have endeavored
to serve.
[, IS true, Mr.. President. that out Of
great many difficulties, legislative ana
legal, the Chicago, S.. Louis ap4 New
Orleans Railroad vas built M. l have
given several years Of the best Of my life 10
it, ana while | ala conscious OF failing in
some Of the dire SONS pursued, l ara also
I
the very best that was possible for MY en-
pIoyers. have attempted to rescue their
property from rain, not only in itr legal and
legislative departments but have given "a
great deal Of atteEtion, together with those
gentlemen selected By me local attorneys
Of the road, towards building up good
character for he company--towurIs show
ing that the saying, which has almost passed
iatc an adage-that "a corporation hiss no
,ul" is lsst lrge. AMI have the satisfac-
on OF saving to you ar. President, and to
the Board, that from cut the confusion and
difficulties that we took the property under,
the character that it had when we assured
charge OF a [. We have grtIuaily by hon j.,
earu;stness and frankncss attained = ps sition
whore we nos stand on an equality with the
Individual in law salt desire, sir, that
you shall return TO these gentlemen ard the
Board my proiouudest thanks for this beau
tiful present; and, shall take pleasure in
handing it down 20 my children 40 an evi-
dence that even in this world red faithful
ness is rewarded"
Senator Allison then arose AMI said: ''AIr.
President and gentlemen: l am ankle the
gentlemen of the committee who expressed
in the paper read by Mr.. Clsr 4 regret
that this testimonial had been 50 long de-
laycd. I ana rather happy that it has been
50 delayed because itgives me an opportuni
ty ot.witnessing the presentation and also
Of making the acq safntance Of gentleu Z
whom. have known by reputation through
friends for some time; and although not one
OF the largest stockholders Of the company
and also not one Of the principal directors,
am very glad to have an opportunity Of
Iap saking to them, and for then, and Of then,
as ell to witness this presentation.
In gaucIng over the report of Judge
Fentress moment ago I noticed one or two
things which l think ought to be mentioned
in the presence Of the Board, and borne in
mind, and among them is the 81. ular fact
that this corporation, running a. It's line docr
through four states, requiring legislation
from all of them and also requiring lcgi-la-
ton | suppose, from the mum, qualities al
the terminals, "a well rs fro.l some OF the
municipalities on the way, has obtaired leg
eIation q quite favorable character, and
that it did rot cost the company anything
think this is highly &c litable to JUG
Fentress as the agent Of the con- panv, and II
il certainly crcditable to the four stat4s
who c legislatures granted these rights, what
ever they are. think this Is a very fortU-
nate thing, because il is usual for railroad
corporations, and indeed all corporations. 70
be surrounded by 4 set Of men who are en-
= den or ns 70 makc the corporations bel eve
that It is necessary to corrupt legislatures
and municipalities.
Now, l ala glad that Judge Fcntress has
escaped these gentlemen, and 90 not believe
these four legislatures are exceptional in
his country.
have had some experience in large legis-
latiye bodies, AMI in sue that perhaps has
not quite as good a reputation as some 81
these state legislatures; bat, l want to say to
you gentlemen, that belieye you can count
on your fingers in any of these bsdios the
men who can be corrupted.
, have been in congress for great many
yeas, and the men who are dishonest in that
body are just as well known by their associ-
tstCN "a cal CliCto IA
and they are just as linle thought Of as the
men who Use them.
Now, want to congratulate ibis company
and It's Board Of directors aud management,
upon having here in this region a man who
; is able to conduct annd control the great
affairs Of the company through these lesIs-
latures without uslng any improper methods
And, [ want to say aacther thing. I live al
enc end Of this Illinois Central Railroad
l have always thought great deal Of that
end and not very much Of the other end, for
the reason that 1 supposed the country il
which we live was mere productive and in
many respects more valuable than the south
ern end. Ihage changed my mind. think
the conception Of this line one Of grandest
that has occurred in our country--in a ma
tional sense. These men who have been en-
gagged in this work have united absolutely
the northern region Of our country with the
southern region, and, I have no doubt but tina
they will be so united perpetuaily. I an
satisfied that by this union tie Illinois Cen
trail hasbeen and WILDE immensIy the gamer
! since above all other corporations il viii foI
! all time furnish the most direct means sfex-
/ changing the productions OF the country il
which 1 live With the rich productions 0
, the south.
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