Evening journal., 1888-11-23

snd N IS understood have been from time
time ciiiuentiy cngsged la trying to
complete he work ass gl.eu them But II
has not yet gotten TO the end OF its in.
Nvst i5it4JA, ti.e certainty il has made llo
report Il is said Mr. Spencers statement
OF the affairs OF the company is. 10 some
extent. based upon the results Of this
investigation, and especially in
dealing with the so.called Surplus" Of
past years, but his report can certainly
not be accepted in place Of that the com
mittee was appointed to make There is
also some questions raised as to tho status
Of that committee now that three of the
i've members have been dropped from the
board Of directors They were directors.
1t is true, when appointed, but they were
named as individuals. and il Will be a
matter Of public regret II they shall
deem 1t proper to retire at this stage Of
the investigation, when it will probably
be impossible 60 supply their places
The fact that they have been deposed,
and that, too. under circumstances
which clearly indicate that the movement
against them was secret, has lei TO un-
pleasant rumors AS 30 the motives Of
those who planned the coup. But what
ever these motives may be, surely the
effect can scarcely be to halt this investi
cation midway. A city and state direc-
ter still remain on that committee, and
are armed with all the authority given
them b. this resolution. They more es
pecially represent the public pecuniary
interests in the road, and 10 is due to
these interests that "full. frank and
complete statement Of its affairs should
be made TO the public Precisely why
the Johns Hopkins interest is left with.
out a representation in the board is not
yet clearly understood. 1t has occasiOned.
however, great surprise. and il may we'll
be doubted whether surprises" consti-
tute the best method Of managing great
railroad Ia the B. & o.. however. we
have for long time past been accus-
toned 10 such periodical excitements,
and II seems destined to be tho theatre Of
contending interests in the future as in
tho past The public have long tried TO
believe that this great corporation has
for its object primarily at least the i'm
proVement Of the city and the enlarge
ment of its trade. II saw with regret
that IL was seeking other great terminal
points, and that II had paid the fearful
price OF almost financial ruin to crafty
this ambition. 1t was hoped that the
fiery furnace IL then passed through had
at least taught the lesson Of prudence in
management, franlness in dealing with
the pablo, and that personal harmony
was far better than internal feuds and
rivalries. Whether this hope will be re
allied remains to be seen-but certainly
1t is not particularly promising Of this
consnmmation when We see a secret
movement set on foot by whica the per
sonnet Of the board is changed-one large
interest upon which our greatest
educational institution chiefly de-
Ponds stricken from the Management M d
the heads Of a majority of an investi-
eating committee dropped into the basket.
The public, however. which is always
long suffering and confding, win con
tinue to hope that the new board will
proceed with their work upon broad.
conservative plan; that they will keep
the road out Of politics as far as it ia pos.
sihle to curb the bad habits which have
grown M in it. remembering that they
owe something TO the public whose money
Is locked up in the stock of the road, and
much TO themselves, who are trustees for
The stockholders, and not FOR particu
lar interest which has so long been domi-
nant ia the management OF this great