The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-04-11


are considerations which, outside of the
walls Of this Council chamber, have
had some weight, and if any gentleman
should suggest to himself in this con-
nection that there are petitions on both
sides Of this question: I ask him to
read the petitions that are presented III
the Interest Of this applicant company
here, and see IF any single solitary one
OF them asks to grant local fran
chse. Why, sir. last night litter Of
amusement went around among those
of us who We're here-I felt to some ex-
tent at the expense OF the Southern
States companys-when 1t appeared
there was petition before this Council
presented last night, asking this Coun-
Gil not to violate the morality, II not
the legality, of that contract, or OF that
relation that have referred TO- signed
the Merchants and Manufacturers Ex-
change, William II. Wales, Jr., presi-
dent, and in few minutes afterwards
there was another one read. signed by
the same parties, urging this Council
to do what was necessary and all that
they could to facilitate the bringing or
the long distance phone here. need
scarcely read 1t; I suppose every Coun-
Gilman in the sound Of my voice has
read Mr.. Wales statement In the public
press Of this afternoon. And what does
he say? He says it so much better than
l could that will read part OF it at
any rate:
II am advised by several friends this
morning that ut the proceedings Of the
Council last night, in the matter of
granting telephone franchises, I was,
from inference, made to appear in the
ambiguous position Of both endorsing
and opposing the petition of the Long
Distance company. To correct any such
impression beg to submit the following
facts: In October last I was requested
TO sign a communication to the Coun-
ellis III matter and form as follows:
Norfolk. Va, Oct %, 1856
To the Select and Common Councils Of
the City of Norfolk:
We, the undersigned citizens and bust
ness institutions Of the city OF Norfolk,
respectively urge upon your honorable
bodies the Importance Of connecting
Norfolk with the Long Distance Tele-
phone circuit Of the United States"
Why of course! I have yet to hear
one single solitary Individual in the city
Of Norfolk--and have heard the ques-
ton discussed good deal--who did not
say they would be glad to see the Long
Distance phone here; but when they de-
mand as the price Of their coming Il
surrender OF municipal control over the
management Of their local business, it
is quite different thing
We are informed that the principal
commercial centres east Of the AIissiS-
sippi and north Of the Ohio river are
now connected by telephone, and this
has become a we'll recognized and most
valuable business instrumentality. We
think that every consideration of good
policy indicates that Norfolk should be
provided with this valuable commercial
facility"
That Is the thing he signed Now he
goes on to say:
In signing the above communication.
which rs cordially, oo6orca TO-DAY
did then, I have no intent to request
the Councils to grant an unlimited
franchise to the petitioners to do local
telephone business. nor do 1 suppose the
other signers had such Intention"
If they did they didn't say so in their
petitions
1T was presented before the matter
had been discussed, and as far as it goes
IS a good move.
The petitioners ask to send naked
horse into camp, and now propose TO
send In the horse, bridled and saddled,
with rider armed cap a pie The posi-
ton Of the Merchants and Manufac-
turers' ASsociat ton is to welcome any
telephone company, long distance or
local, under same restrictions as i'm
posed upon existing companies, but if
these restrictions are not acceptable TO
them-if they will not accept any limit
upon the kind OF business they do-'kecp
them out.
wv. II. WALES JR., President.
Merchants and Manufacturers Asso-
ciation."
These misapprehensions will occur
They have occurred elsewhere, and Gu
riously enough have occurred among
that very conservative and leval headed
class Of men known as bankers. Or
dinarily banker knows what he puts
his name to; but in Richmond the same
thing happened. Petitions, you know,
are very easily gotten up. Probably
this may be said as well Of many Of
the petitions that have come here
IN the interest Of the Southern States
as OF the other company, but at least
we do not find anybody that says he
didn't mean what he signed. In Rich
mond we find the same difficulty that
occurred to Brother Wales. knew last
night when I heard Mr.. Wales put in
that position that there was something
wrong: he is not a man who gets on
both sides Of the fence, and he gene
rally knows which side OF the fence he IS
on, too.
Richmond, Va, Dec. 20, 1896.
I'VE. the undersigned, respectfully
state TO the Council of. the city of Rich
mond that we signed q certain petition
under date Of July 6, 1896, asking that
the Council permit the establishment Of
long distance telephone In this city,
as operated by the American Telephone
and Telegraph company.
I'VE beg to say that in signing this
nappr we were DOt advised +hot ,,.,.,