Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-13
THE VIC. RAILROAD.
ACTION or the COUNCIL OF GREAT
INTEREST TO PETERSBURG.


COnstderatiOn-Tn0 lass Ouo Esv"s
Northern Capitalists.
PETERSBURG. VA, May E-(spe-
cial THE probable action OF the Common
Council In the matter OF the bids for the
property and franchises OF the virginia
and Carolina railroad now owned
by the city, is one Of great interest 10
our people. and not only to the people OF
Petersburg, bat to those OF the several
counties through which 1t Is proposed 10
run the road. The Farmville and Pow
hatan Company made bid for the road
30 much in cash and 30 much 70 De
paid on the completion OF the road. Al
the meeting of the Common Council held
Thursday night to consider this PROPOSE
ton, another and apparently more favor
able bid as far as money Is concerned
was made, which was new 10 many
members OF the Council. The new pro-
position was submitted by Mr.. K. H.
Davis. a prominent lawyer. acting Tor
himself and other parties In New York
and Philadelphia, whose names he de-
clned. for satisfactory reasons, TO ai'
vulge.
IN FORTY DAYS.
This proposition is to the effect that an
inspection of the road shall commence
at once to be completed In forty DAYS
IL everything is satisfactory a contract
IS to be executed for the purchase OF ths
road, agreeing to purchase the right ana
interest of the city for the sum OF $loo'cN
OF the first-mortgage bonds or the COM
pany proposed to be formed upon a basis
OF not more than $4,000 per mile. property
secured by a deed Of trust upon the
property and rights Of the company, and
$50. 900 of the capital stock Of said COM
pany fully paid up and not assessable.
and the new company further agrees 10
undertake to commence the building OF
the road south OF Petersburg within
thirty days after the signing OF the
contract. and to complete the building of
the same on or before December 81. 1895.
A DEPOSIT.
1t Is further agreed that at the time
of executing the contract aforesaid, that
the new company will deposit In one OF
the banks of the city the sum OF $4,000
in good securities at their cash value,
to be approved by the Council. which
securities shall so remain until the COM
pletion of the road.
LAID ON THE TABLE.
This proposition was considered by the
Council, and after discussion. was laid
over for final action, the vote on Mr..
Davis's proposition not being a constitu-
tional one. In view Of the new propo-
stion the bid of the Farmville and Pow
hatan Company was withdrawn.
The community Is interested greatly In
this road, because 1t runs through a sec
ton OF country directly tributary to
Petersburg, and on which the commerce
of the city is largely dependent.
A STATEMENT.
Hon. w. B. McIlwaine who IS acting
for the Farmville and Powhatan Railroad
Company in the matter of their bid. to-
day made an interesting statement on the
subject He said that he recognized the
right Of the city OF Petersburg to manage
the affairs Of the Virginia and Carolina
railroad to suit herself as she owned the
property; but he was quite disappointed
in the attitude which had been assumed
by the Council, because he had expected
amity where he had found hostility. For
more than two years the Farmville ana
Powhatan railroad officials had been
quietly making arrangements 10 buy and
II
as the success Of the project depended
in large measure upon making II part
OF a great through route, the Manassas
charter had been obtained. In the contest
over this charter, which was waSed in
the Legislature. he had ever held up be-
fore the committees and the Senate the
interest the city Of Petersburg had in its
passage and her unfortunate condition In
having this property bottled UP, without
the slightest possibility OF being utilized
by any OF the existing roads. and he Is
satisfied that many OF the senators be-
came friends Of the bill In consequence of
his representations in this regard.
PETERsBURG's CLAIMS.
In fact he occupied the whole time AL
lottei 10 him for It's discussion in pre-
sentlng the claims OF Petersburg to be
aided In this emergency by granting the
Manassas charter recting and dwelling
upon the fact that Petersburg had showed
her interest In the matter by the APP
pearance before the Senate committees OF
the chairman Of her Finance Committee
and a delegation from her Chamber Of
Commerce, who had come for the pur-
pose OF urging the passage OF the bill In
| these circumstances Mr.. McIlwaine feels
| that the only explanation OF the change
| In the attitude OF some of the members Of
| the Council Is that they must be In pos
session now OF some facts which were
| unknown to them then. which Justifies
| them In opposing sale 10 the Farmville
| and Powhatan Company.
Mr.. McIlwalne said that there was abb
| solute bona fides in the parties who had
| been acting for the Farmville and Powha-
| tan, and that the money for carrying out
| the whole project had been pledged, pro-
| vided a satisfactory arrangement could
| be made with the city, and added that in
| the ordinance submitted by Mr. Quicke
| everything possible had been incorporated.
| 50 far as he could see, to protect the in
| terest Of the city and TO secure the build
| ing Of the road; that he had invited crti-
| cism of the paper, both ~ to It's legM
| form and its substance. which he had
| submitted for inspection to the public
| through the columns of the Progress.
VERY ANXIOUS.
Mr.. McIlwaine said ne was very anxious
| that the road should be built. and believed
that II the proposition of the Farmvlle
| and Powhatan had been accepted this
| would have been accomplished in "A much
| shorter time than the period provided for
| I'm the deed He refused positively to dis
| cllss the merits of the proposition submit
| ted by Mr.. Davis, saying that he prefer
| red the people 10 arrive at conclusion
| I'm this regard by careful comparison OF
the terms Of the Two propositions, unln-
nuenced by any opinion he might enter
| tain or express.
| THE ENTERPRISE.
| MIR. Mcllwaine this morning received a
! letter Oh this subject from Senator Low
| onstein who was the patron OF the Ma
| nassas bill, which he consented to be pub.
| lished as an item of interest. 1t is as fol-
| lows:
RICHMOND. VA, May II. 1884.
| Dear Mr.. McIlwaine:
| ! understand that there Is some diff
| Guilty in the Manassas railroad in Peters
| burg. and that the Council seems not to
| act promptly as you expected. You re-
| mnmhar Nnllr sneechns hefnre the commit