The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-20
FIGHTING ORTHE FIELD.
Col. MAcHEN PUSHING HIS ROAD
TO HOLD THE TERRITORY.

Up the Old Savannah OupiAn anu
Western Charter.
There is a great deal Of inside infornla-
ton circling about among the projectors Of
lines Of railways pointing this way, and
some OF the secrets are beginning TO leak
out. little at time.
1t is generally conceded that whatever
NAV be the complications growing out Of
rivalries in opposition lines, Col. Machen
will build the Middle Georgia and Atlantic,
and the road from Macon to Savannah.
Col. Machen, it is understood, was well
advised that the Macon Construction Com
pany, now building from Macon to Biz
mingham, intended to increase the capital
stock Of the company and build the Savan-
nah extension. He acted promptly by
putting a corps of engineers in the field,
another corps of trusted men securing
rights Of way, and let his contracts for
building the first ninety miles from Savan-
nah westward.
Iron for the road which had been going
by sea to Brunswick and thence by rail to
Eatonton, was stopped by telegraph and
ordered to be sent to Savannah.
NOT ASKING FOR MONEY.
Having done all this after full consulta-
ton with his financial hackers in the north
Col. Macnen hurried to Savannah, with the
view, it is said not to ask Savannah people
for dollar. but to give some Savannah
people chance 10 come in, that there
might be healthy local interest Ia the road,
and to aid in securing such terminal prop
erty as his two great trunk lines ought to
secure.
That Col. Machen expected to make the
most satisfactory arrangements with the
South Bound folks, some of whom had a
thirty day option on the Deptford
water front, is generally believed, but
it is said that when the thing was
sifted down il was found that
only a few of the South Bound people
were in the Deptford deal, some of the
stockholders of the construction company
not having been let in, and as matters stood
Col Machen could not deal with the
South Bound as an organization for COM
mon terminal facilities on the Deptford
plantation, as the option, while held by
some Of those interested in the building of
the road, was an individual and close cor
poration independent Of the Savannah Con-
struction Company proper, and indepen-
dent Of the South Bound Railroad Com
pany proper.
THE OPTION ON DEPrFoRD.
1t is said that 1000 was advanced on the
thirty-days option, and that the owners of
Deptford have been praying ever since that
the option holders will not take the ground,
ready to snap it up at a better figure than
that placed upon it when the option now
held was extended. In the event that the
Macon company is to have the next chance
at the terminal property, Col. Machens
two roads have been looking elsewhere, and
this accounts. it is said, for the many close
consultations which have been held by Col.
Alachen with Messrs. Williams, Smart, and
Bacon, projectors of the road from Savan-
nah to the Oconee river, who have splendid
terminal property just west of the lumber
wharves of the Central This terminal prop
erty, known as the Vale Royal, appears
now to be the objective point of Col.
Machen's two roads, and while it was said
yesterday that no final arrangements have
been made consumnating deal, it is be-
lleyed that the arrangements will be per-
fected during the week, as Col Macnen will
return to Savannah tomorrow or the next
day.
FIGURING ON VALE ROYAL.
IL is said that Messrs. Williams, Bacon
and Smart are in full accord with Col.
Machen, and that being the case it means
the Vale Royal water front will be the ter
minal of the Middle Georgia and Atlantic.
the Macon and Savannah and the Savannah
and Oconee River railroads. THIS will give
them a splendid terminal property, and If
they get no nearer the city the new pro-
lected street railway will put their passen-
ger depot, if it should be located there. in
close connection with the city.
1t is generally believed on the Bay that
there is more IN the rumor that the Central
sought to buy the land of w. l.. Exley than
the Central wants to admit The purchase
of the Exley lands by the Central would
shut out the projected independent rail-
roads from their proposed terminal, which
latter could be reached only by condemna.
ton suits, or the payment of big price for
the right of way, whereas as long as Mr..
Exley owns the land every railroad COM
ing through would greatly enhance the
value of his lands.
TALE FROM EUROPE.
There may be another reason why the
Central wanted to checkmate Col. Machen,
and thereby hangs tale, which is said to
be that when Col. Machen went to Europe
he took letters to prominent capitalists and
railroad men, who showed him great atten-
ton and took him over the railroads in
Europe, especially those of Hol-
land, and obtained great deal of
valuable information from Col. Machen
about railroad construction in America
While he was abroad it is said
that the Central sought to place s.. DOC. 900
In bonds IN Europe to build the Savannah
and Western, and by strange coincidence
Col. Machen was consulted as to the ooun.
try through which the Savannah and
western would pass, and his thorough
knowledge Of the country enabled him TO
give them very favorable report of the
country. 1t is said that the financial agents
of the Central were cabled that they would
send man over the line, ana if the report
was favorable they would take tho bonds
NOT THE MAN THEY WANTED.
This was quite satisfactory TO the Cen.
trail, and it is said reply was sent back
accepting the proposition, and asking the
European capitalists TO name their man.
They wired back. so the story goes. the
name Of Col. E. c. Machen, which must
have acted like a bombshell In the camp, for
reply was sent back that the bonds had
been placed, and the informant of the
MORNING NEWS says that it is claimed that
there bonds are yet locked up in the safe Of
the financial agent of the Central, and have
never been foated on the market, although
before Col. Machen's name had been sug-
gested the bonds were offered at most
enticing discount.
THE CENTRAL MAY TAKE HAND.
Agentleman well informed in Central
affairs, says that the Central commands the
key to the situation westward, and he init.
mated that it has the charter and franchise
OF the Savannah, Dublin and Western, and
fit finds that Col. Machen or the Macon
Construction Company seriously intend
building from Macon TO Savannah or that