The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-08

panys service md that any interruption
OF II would cause an immediate ana
serious disturbance and damage 10 the
company and TO its subscribers.
The bin then makes the claim that the
business Of the Bel Company Is that
of a telegraph company, under the laws
~ the United States and OF the state OF
Virginia, and that It was entered as a
telegraph company under the general tel
cgIaph laws Of Now York.
q TELEGRAPH COMPANY
II SIS further asserted that on February
12 1859. the company duly deposited with
the Postmaster-Gcnoral of the United
States its acceptance Of an act Of Con-
gross 10y which IL was provided that amy
telegraph company organized under the
Jaws OF any state. which shall file a
written acceptance with tie Postmaster
General Of the restrictions and oblga-
tons Of this act. shall have the right
to construct maintain ana operate lines
Of telegraph over and along any Of the
military roads and post roads Of the
United States which then or might there
after DE declared such By law.
The bin then declares that the streets.
alloys and highways Of the city Of Rich
Inoud are pOst-rOaos OF the United States.
declared so 10 bee by the laws Of the
United States. The bill then makes the
point that the several departments OF the
Government Of the United States located
40 t,lehmond have used ana are az pres
cnt using the phones Of the Bcu Com
pany Tor the Transmission Of instruc-
uons, orders, and information 20 other
government officials, and on business Of
Importance throughout the several
states named and in the District Of CO.
iumOia' and in foreign countries.
Inc bil then goes on to claim for the
Bell Company the right under section
US OF the Code Of Virginia to construct
its lines and operate the same I'm any
CITY or town In the State of Virginia.
with the consent OF the Council thereof
ln addition TO the right giyen il by act
OF Congress Of the United States
COMPLAINS or WRONGS.
AFTER claiming that the companys poles
ana wires have an been erected and its
business transacted IN accordance with
STATE ana municipal laws, the bin goes
on to state that am ordinance was passed
by the city OF Richmond, July U.s. 1881. to
compel the Bel Company TO allow other
persons or companies 10 place wires on
It's poles. This. the bill states was ia
conflict with the rights Of the Bel Com
pany' but was enforced by the threats Of
those in authority that unless fl submit
ted 1T would be driven from the city anG
its business broken up and ruined"
The bill then goes on 20 aver that thirty
phones free Of charge were demanded by
the Grounds and Buildings Committee for
the use of the city. This demand being
refused after lengthy correspondence. in
which threats We're made by the city au-
thorities, an ordinance was passed De-
cember IL, 1894, repeating the ordinance
granting the Bell Telephone Company
the right Of way through the city
On September 10. 1885, continues the bill.
two other ordinances were passed i'm
posing fines on the Bell Company Tor us
ing poles and wires.
After reciting other alleged wrongs in
nictcd upon the company by the city Of
Richmond. the bin declares that the Bell
still has the right 20 maintain its poles
and wires in the streets Of Richmond.
where they have been placed under reso-
luuons of the Committee on Streets. The
bin claims that tie power TO repeal an
ordinance allowing the erection OF poles
and wires does not give the power 70
compel the removal of such poles and
wires
"This company would never had gone
TO the eXTense IL has in starting and car
rying on its business in the city Of Rich
mond." says the bill. "had it supposed
for am instant that IL held its rights and
property subject TO the power Of tho
City Council at any time TO destroy and
ruin them, etc"
THE NEW COMPANY.
The bill then pays its respects 10 the
Richmond Telephone Company declaring
that the city has allowed that company
10 erect poles and string wires along
many Of the same streets now occupied
hy the Bell. thus showing that its action
in attempting 30 drive tie Bell from this
CRY is not due 20 the fact that its oc-
cupancy Of the streets causes inconyen-
fence.
In conclusion, the bin declares that un-
less the company is afforded the prOtec-
tion asked for it's property viii be de-
st.'yci and its business ruined. Il. there
fore prays that the city Of Richmond.
fits employees. and agents may be restrain
ed from removing or interfering with the
poles or wires of the Bell Company In
this city, and that subpoena may
also be issued to compel the said city
Of Richmond TO answer in the Circuit
Cour, Of the United States upon a certain
date. an the premises set forth in this
bin.
The bin IS signed bv Messrs. stiles and
Holiday. Leake and Carter, and George
II. TearCns. as counsel for the Southern
lell Telephone Company.
,fp sSSFVEEfS STCCESSOR