The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-25

II
The people of Virginia are very conserva-
| tive and considerate people. They respect tne
rights of Others and demand that respect
| shall be paid TO their own rights. They have
| developed little tendency 10 the extremes OF
erangerisms as exhibited in the Northwest
ern and Southeastern parts OF these ohi'eu
States. They have been liberal to rail-
roads, have spent the public money
freely in the construction OF lines IN
which tho interests Of the State are now only
represented by the general welfare OF the
Commonwealth, and not by any proprietary
interests. for except In the instance OF the
Fredericksburg railway all other interests nave
been parted with at what now seems TO nave
been great sacrifices TO the State.
The charter of the Richmond and Danville
Railroad Company has been especially liberal,
and the charter Of the Richmond and West
Point Terminal Railway and Warehouse Com
pany marked new era in such legislation in
this State Under these two charters the
great Terminal system is owned and operated
and their homo is properly in Richmond. just
as the home of the Pennsylvania railroad,
although extending from New York TO Chi
cago, Is found in Philadelphia. and that
of the Baltimore and Ohio. which
though ramifying far out into the west Is
found in Baltimore. So it was not impossible
10 operate the Richmond and Danyille hail-
road Company with all its subordinate ieaseu
lines. from Richmond. When its managers
declared that il would greatly assist their CON
venience 10 take the operating department 70
Washington there were serious murmurs'
though there was no outburst when the
Office Of the general manager was removed
there because that of the traffic man
ager was kept in Richmond whereby our
merchants enjoyed the substantial benefits
which are derived from convenient access TO
that department. Although the prestige OF
the city had been impaired there was no
spirit of factions opposition-no threat. But
now when it isproposed not merely to remove
the general managers Office from Washington
10 Atlanta, but TO take the last vestige OF ETH
cient and practical official management from
Richmond, Affecting of indignation and resent
mentha been aroused among the merchantsof
Richmond. which will find ready response
throughout the State, and If this plan IS
carried out an antagonism TO the Richmond
and Danville railroad and TO railroads gener-
ally will be aroused, the consequences OF
which it is not easy TO predict.
The TIMES had hoped that no conflict
would be precipitated between the people of
Virginia, and especially those of Richmond.
and the Richmond and Danville railroad, but
it has received abundant evidence that the
removal of the traffic department from Rich
Inond 10 Atlanta will be met with determined
opposition and bitter reprisals if the
plan is carried out. In this there
is no jealousy of the benefits which
Atlanta may receive, for her enterprise
has but set an example of what vigilance and
energy can do for city; but it is a simple
assertion Of right based upon extraordinary
concessions granted to the railroads by the
people for their own good. The disregard by
the railroad of this moderate demand will be
taken as a warning to the people to take
hold Of and to assert themselves in railroad
management in way that this State has
has never yet done.
The traffic management Of the Richmond
and Danville Railroad Company must remain
in Richmond. Va.