The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-23
Consolidated Fought agains. the
Prince Coup d'ttat.
BOSTON AND MAINE MEN ALERT.
when the Vote of the stockh oiders Was
Finally Counted 1t Was Found that
the Work of the Astute Boston and
Maine Broker Had Been Well Done
end the Lease to the Consolidated
Was Not Ratified, after Very Hot
Discussion.
ESPECIAL To THE SEws.l

SPRINGFIELD. Mass, Dec. % The ac-
ton of the directors of the Connecticut
River Railroad in leasing the road to the
Consolidated. and the subsequent action
OF certain stockholders in selling ma
iority OF the stock to the Boston and
Maine. has been about all the talk In
Springfield of late. aud the meeting Of
the stockholders OF the Connecticut River
road to-day has been looked forward to
with great interest, although it seems to
be foregone conclusion that the stock
holders would not take any aytion toward
satisfying the lease.
The only interest In the meeting which
any one could point out was In the line
of the rumor that an attempt would be
made To get the capital stock OF the River
road increased, so as To secure the issue
of new stock which the Consolidated was
supposed TO have some idea that it could
secure. or course, this was mere specu-
lation.
Col. Edgerly, who led in the sale of the
stock which gave control OF the road TO
the Boston and Maine, has won great
deal of prais Sc from Springfie people gen
orally, for most of them believe had the
Consolidated road gotten control the rates
of freight would have been increased and
the city would have suffered In conse-
quence.
The people OF Eolyoke are especially de-
lighted at the result of the deal, for they
depend almost altogether on the Connec-
ticut River road for transportation, aud
hope for better connections ana cheaper
rates from the Boston and Maine manage
ment.
Col. Edgerly is president of the Massa-
chusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
and is a Democrat. The Democrats have
tried often 10 yet him to run for Con-
gress but he has never been willing to
devole time to that object. tie is very
able aud popular man, and the people or
western Massachusetts viii no doubt feel
very much disposed TO vote for him, If he
can tie inducsd to be candidate at the
next election, Perhaps they would even
prefer him TO Mr.. Crosby of Pittsfield.
Anyway, the people are pleased so far as
the matter has gone. and Col. Edgerly
has not only won $4,000 for his company
but fame for himself, perhaps second
only To that of the man VINO so cunningiy
bought the stock while the directors were
planning to lease the road TO the Consol-
idated for ninety-nine years.
This city has been transformed into a
veritable mecca for railroad men. The
corridors of the Massasoi0 House last
vening suggested Yale-Harvard foot
,all game, although the croad gathered
there was not as large as one made up OF
college men. There was just as mucn in-
terest and enthusiasm.
The interest OF course all centres round
the directors and stockholders or the
Connecticut River Railroad, aud those
representing tue inter ssts of the Boston
and Maine Railroad. The late trains last
night brought In large number OF those
interested iu both systems, aud now aud
then lone New Haven road man could
be seen vending his way toward the cen-
tire oflnterests. Crowds came last night,
AT 1910 last night the hero OF the day
came in-F. Ill. Prince. All efforts 10
worm any news from this gentleman
proved futile. He simply gave out In a
connected manner what has been pub
lished piecemeal many times.
This morning the railroad men in
creased in numbers aud the officials oil
both the New Haven aud the Boston and
Maine systems worked like beavers all
the morning. When pres sed to say some
thing TO the little army OF newspaper men
which besieged MIR. Paine this morning
that gentleman said:
II have talked with a few of the direc-
tors Of the Connecticut River road and
feel satisfied that they will vote in OUT
interest. We are in CONTROL and | expect
the directors to resign forthwith"
Al an early hour this morning Il could
be seen from the Fastening hither and
thither work was being done somewhere
At 8 o'clock IL quieted down and there
was almost no indication OF anything out
of the ordinary. Little knots of railroad
men gathered around and discussed the
situation. The general feeling was that
the lease of the Connecticut River sys
TEN To the Consolidated people would
not be ratified. One man was heard tC
say: "You cannot tell what the New
Haven people intend to do, they have not
been asleep. A tempest rs very likely tC
nrow out of the stockholders meeting"
Some of the prominent railroad mel
who were present are Charles "A Sinclair
Richard Oiney, +, Braggiotti and Arthur
Small of Boston. Many others were here
from all parts of New England. Tn,
above named gentlemen together will
Col. NJ. Y. Ii. Edgerly OF this city wer'
closeied for long time with Mr. Pirce
but none of them would disclose TIA,
nature of the meeting.
A representative of the NEWS called or
President John Mulligan of the Connec
ticut River Railroad. at his Office in th'
Granite building. aud inquired as To th,
procedure OF the stock holders meeting
Mr.. Muliigan said: "I don't know Th
meeting Is a special one. called for tn
purpose of discussing the lease OF ou
road 10 the New Haven system, and
suppose that that question will DO deal
with in a summary manner. IL ougn
not TO take long. but 4 cant tell VIVA
may happen"
Directors j. VI. Albin of Concord. n
H., anG Oscar Edwards and two or thre
stockholders came early, and without
moments delay began TO discuss the stu
alton.
Gov. Bulkeley introduced an interest
ing subject when he said " Gentlemen
the key TO the whole matter is the mum
her OF votes required 20 defeat the ratii
cation OF the proposed lease
Tue little Office OF President Mulliga
was closely packed at 1856, an
eli vi the twenty-five there pre-.