The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-08-02
GORDON TALKS BUSINESS
THE STATE ROAD QUESTION PUT
IN A NUTSHELL.

Chatham's Representative Wants the
Question Net in the Way ANY Bust
ness Man Would Meet 1.-THE Attor-
ney General the Lawyer TO Whom
the State Should Turn.
ATLANTA, GA. Aug. In the House
to-day the first two sections Of the state
road lease ill were adopted. The numer-
ous amendments 10 the first section were
either withdrawn or voted down. The third
section came up for consideration, and the
House was occupied with it till adjournment,
but without action. This section is Of the
highest importance, dealing with the rights
of the present lessees, and description OF
the property which is to be offered for lease.
Two leading amendments have been off red
to the section. Mr. Tigner Of Muscogee
wants to strike from it any reference to the
right Of the present lessees.
ARBITRATION PROPOSED.
Mr. Rankin of Gordon, chairman Of the
Yves ern and Alta tic committee, has an
amendment which proposes TO submit the
betterments question to arbitration, and
have ii settled before the road Is leased.
Mr.. Glenn Of Whitfield spoke against the
entire section as lacking the clements OF
certainty a ID def iiteness
Mr.. Lamar If Richmond favored Mr..
Rankins amendment, although he did not
like the word arbitration.
Simmons Of Sumter took the same posi-
ton with reference t. this amendment.
CAPT GoRDOS's VIEWS.
Mr.. Gordon of Chatham opposed it. BE
did not recognize that the mat er was so
complicated Two business firms could
settle it in half dozen hours wit out the
chance of a lawsuit The Western and
Atlantic Is controlled by men who got their
stock from the riginal leSsees. Their only
hope of profit is in the claim for betteTments.
We should not be brow beaten or seducei
into the belief that we are doing wrong
to discuss and settle this question Of better
nents. | have had some experience in arbl-
tration. The claimant puts his claim as
high as he can in conscience. The other
side puts il as low as possible. The ird or
odd man, overwhelmed by the argument
pro aud con, pulled this way and that, de-
cides the matter by sphtti z tie difference.
THE ODD MAN WOULD BE KING.
I'm this matter the whole question would
depend on the odd man in the arbitration,
and he would inevitably give the lessees
more than the commissioners say they are
entitled to. We don't want the surplus
rolling stock, amounting to $780, 900 in
round numbers. This reduces the clam for
betterments o 100000 Strike out the
claim for everything pertaining to super
structure $4,000, and we have left only
s150,0OO.
WOULDN'T REMOVE THEM.
''No sane man would try to remove the
ballast, rails and ties, or from spite pull
down depots. | don't believe any man
would dare to come before the state with
such proposition. / give the gentlemen
b1 bn oil
ments credit for more sense. II
1 understood the distinguished gen
tleman who represen ed before
the Western and Atlantic committee this
claim of the lessees he claims only the 81 10
trac as trade fixtures. These amount TO
$4,000. We could guarantee the incoming
lessees indemnity for any suit on the part
of the old lessees for trade fixtures
LIKES Mr.. GLENN's AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Glenn's amendment to amend section
8, by striking out from 1t lines two and six
and inserting the following: THE road
bed in its natural condition, natural
wear and tear only exc .pted, and the
personal p operty as per the inventory on
file in the exeouti Office or its equivale It
in kind, - met his idea as to what the third
SECTION should contain. He asked the gem
eral assembly 10 put itself in position of
an Individual who has prop rty worth
So,UoV,UOO. cuppose you hau leased II to
man who, despite the fact
that his lease for ia his sub-letting
it, he had yet sold or leased the controlling
interest IN the property. Suppose a law
suit were probable, YOU would consult your
lawyer. Lei US then ask the attorney gem
eral of the tate for his opinion as to trade
fixtures. Then let us stand firmly upon our
rights
The bill by Mr.. Clifton to incorporate the
South Bound railroad passed.