Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-02
BELIEVED THAT IT WILL PASS
Prospects of the Richmond ard Manassas
Railway Bill.
Friends of the Measure Declare That
They Are Willing to Deposit n For
felt rs Sign of Good Faith.


Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
RICHMOND, Virginia, March =. 1894.
The indications now are that the bill in
cooperating the Richmond and Manassas
railroad Will certainly pass the legislature
at this session. The fact that the bill was
ordered to it's engrossment Wednesday
night in the senate by the majority of - to
o leaves no doubt that a majority of the
members of the assembly favor the passage
of the measure. When the bill came up
for discussion in the senate Wednesday
morning the interest felt in this measure
was clearly demonstrated by the large at
tendance of railroad and business men, who
crowded every available space in the cham
Der. 1t having been charged by the OPP
ponents of the measure that the object of
the lncorpOrators was simply to get control
of the stock of the Richmond Fredericks-
burg and Potomac road at sacrifice, the
friends of the bill submitted to an amend
ment which provides that a Sl0O,DO0 forfeit,
in state bonds, shall be deposited, guaran-
feeling that twenty miles of the road north
ward OF Iicnmond) shall be built within
twelve months. The radical opponents of
the bill. however, We're not satisfied that
competent engineer should decide whether
or not the money was forfeited. Another
amendment however. placing this matter
in the hands of the board of public works
of the state was agreed to without opposi-
ton.
When the bill came up Wednesday Mr.
LoVenStein of Richmond city argued in it's
support. He secuted the idea that the in
corporators simply desired to get the stock
of the Richmond. Fredericksburg and Poto-
mae He said that he was authorized to
say that the road would certainly be built,
and that within the time prescribed.
Richmond After Another Outlet.
Senator Hay of Madison came to the res
cue Of the bill, saying that piles after piles
of charters had been granted for railroads,
but when Richmond asked for another out
let north "a competing line) it was oppos-
ed. He thought Richmond deserved some
consideration ut the hands of the general
assembly. He had the greatest respect for
the officers of the Richmond. F'redericks-
burg and Potomac road. and believed that
they Were willing to do what they could
for the advancement and interests of Rich
mond.
But" exclaimed the speaker. what can
this little line of road do, controlled, as it
is, by that giant monopoly, the Pennsyl-
Vania railroad?"
AIR. Lovenstein called attention TO the
combination between the rail line and the
water lines to the north. and gave figures
To show now freight rates had been in
creased since the combination was made.
He also called attention to the fact that
the railroad line would not sell a round-trip
ticket to New York, and emphasized this
hardShip. The speaker was, he said, salts
ned that the senators believed that the
charter should he granted, but were met by
the fact that the state held stock in the
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
road. He then proceeded to show that the
sale of this stock, as provided for in the
companion BILL would be of the greatest ad-
vantage to the state. He did not care if
the proposed new road did connect with
the Baltimore and ohio. He would hail
with delight any competing line to Wash
ington.
senator Mushbnch's Opposition.
Mr.. Mushbach of Alexandria then took
the tioo- in opposition to the bill and held
the closest attention of the members and
spectators. He said he was in an cnbar-
RAISING position, as he represented con-
stituency that was divided on the measure
Fe. however, proposed not to discuss the
question from a local standpoint. but from
the standpoint of the state interest He
argued that if this bill passed the general
assembly several more counties would be
made tributary TO Baltimore. and AIaxan-
dria and Fredericksburg would be ruined
He was here to protest against a line of
policy that would make Virginia a suburb of
Baltimore He thought II doubtful whether
the road would be built if the bill pass I'd
and contended if the states stock in the
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
was sold the Richmond and Manassas peo-
pie would buy ii.
Messrs. Mcilwaine of Petersburg and
Watts of Roanoke advocated the measure
and NJ. Little of Fredericksburg opposed it,
The latter offered an amendment providing
that the read go by Fredericksburg, which
voted down
Mr.. Berry of Amherst, from the commit
tee on nTance. reported the bill for the sale
of the states stock in the Richmond Fred
ericksburg and Potomac railroad with an
amendment that the price shall not be less
than $l3a for the common stock and $l32
for the dividend obligation.
In the House.
The rules have been changed in the house
so that the Richmond and Manassas bill
can be called up for discussion at any time
Mr.. Hunton of Fauquier. one of the incor-
porators of the bill, and who Is leading the
night for ii in the house. will call it up in
the next day or two. and is confident that
it will pass that body by a good majority
Capt Cam Patterson of Buckingham Who
is opposed. to all railroads general prin-
cipies uniess they run through buckingham
county, will lead the fight against the bill,
as he did against TIE r. and ID. reorganiZa-
ton bin. He may offer an amendment pro-
Viding that the proposed road go through
buckingham, in order that the tie trade in
that section may be increased 1t is almost
certain. however, that the gallant member
fem the county of hucklehcrri-s ana per-
simmons will lead Il fororn hope.
Mr.. HuntOn, who is a son of United States
Senator Eppa Hunton. has made a fine
record as legislator during this his first
tenn in the assembly. He always holds the
strict attention of the members and, snerta-
tors Wncn he arises any question and
being thoroughly posted on them answers
with satisfaction and good humor all Of the !
queries pfopounded by the members on the
other side. He has been at his best in adj |
vocating the Richmond and Manassas bill !
and when it comes up on its ongrossrra nt |
ne Is expected to make the effort of his life |