The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-13

commerce. said he. and this was new
ouestion under discussion. Judge Holla-
dav touched upon the progress OF the
postal service how II was improved and
advanced from the hoy on tho mule 10
tho mail trains and steamboats, and later
10 tho telegraph and telephone. He re-
ferred 10 the agreement between the
Western Union Telegraph Company and
the southern Bell Telephone Company by
which the former must receive and
tranmit messages coming 10 II for trans
mission from the Bell Company Mr..
Trees statement, said he, had shown
that the phones of the Southern Bell
Company I'm the city could be attached 70
the lines OF the Western Union Company
and messages sent back and forth by
this means II was also shown that
there were clerks OF the Western Union
company who went on duty early I'm the
morning. and remained At their posts Of
duty throughout the day receiving mes
sagers from the Southern Bell Telephone
COMPANY and transmitting them over the
telegraph lines TO Washington. New
York and other points.
Judge Holiday returning 10 tho power
of Congress 10 establish and operate
post roads argued that according 10 this
act. no state or city had right TO IN
tcrfore with these regulations. lie spoke
Of the rights and demands Of Congress
upon the telegraph lines, and ina power
Of Congress to protect them ana dwet
al some length upon the broadness and
comprehongive character of the language
in the act giving Congress the right TO
establish. maintain and operate its post
roads lie argued that the telephone
lines we're greatly helpful In facilitating
the work Of delivering mail at private
houses
MIR. MEREDITH FORCEFUb REPLY.
Judge Holiday was followed by CITY
Attorney Meredith, who compared the &C
ton OF the southern Beu Telephone COM
pany towards the city 10 that or isaac OF
YORK, in one or SCOTS novels.
Where powers are given by charter OF
a city IN ordinary cases 10 grant ordl-
nances, is It claimed that this same
power does not give the cty a rlght 10
repeal the ordinances asked Mr. Mere
attn. lie referred TO a case OF the CITY
demanding the Richmond, fredeIlchs-
burg and Potomac railroad in certain
instance to stop using steam powe: on the
streets. The case was affirmed 10y the
supreme Court or Virginia ana the SUI
preme Court or the United states me
ordinance Of 1894 says: This ordinance
may be repealed provided the Council
gives twelve months after the passage
Of the ordinance. We reserve the right
90 revoke the ordinance or right granted
bv our own street committee. The Ing
nsn, Maryland New Jersey. Wisconsin,
and other acts were .mmateriai. The
United states Court had decided that the
feiepnOne was a new art. II this is a
part OF the old telegraph system, why
does the united states Court say this IS
a new art! asked Mr.. Meredith. he re-
gerred 10 the discovery or Mr. Bell es q
new art. which was held by the United
states. II was new thing 20 tnd out
now the undulations OF the human voice
could be carried over the wires with the
result Of transmitting the sound OF the
voice This was the thing 10 he found
out and Mr.. Bell discovered IL. This alone
is an answer 10 the argument that tcle-
graph ana telephone are one and the
same thing.
In replying TO the argument OF Judge
Holiday as 10 the interstate commerce
act ana its powers. Mr.. Meredith said
tnat the mere occupancy OF the two
companies Of the same building for their
mutual convenience under contract could
not be construed into an argument that
the Two were one and the same. The
messenger boy was Just as much part
Of interstate commerce as was the tole-
phone since nc carried the message 20 the
telegraph office 10 he transmitted just
as did the telephone lines.
Mr. Meredith said that he would not
deny the right 20 Congress TO establish
end operate its post roads. The question
was rot that Congress had the right 10
put the telegraph lines under the postal
system: but had Congress made such a
demand. Congress had a right TO establish
telegraph lines I'm certain limits As a
part OF me postal roads. But congress
only rented the use OF the telegraph lines
as did any private citizen or corpora
ton.
Mr. Meredith closed the argument I'm
the case and the court adjourned until
this morning at 10 O'Clock. u may be
some time before the decision is render
| ed
NEW ATTORNEYS.
me Toiowing gentlemen were admitted
as attorneys and councillors Of the court
after taking and subscribing the usual
oath: william Gordon Robertson. Roa-
nokc. Va. and Hill Carter. OF Richmond
! Va.
In case No. 24i-Joseph Buerv. Mil
Creek Coal and Coke Co, appellants. VS.
rluenty. trust ana Sa1e deposit COM
pany: Robert +. Todd. 81 a.. appellees
appeal from the circuit court. Western
| District OF virginia ON motion or appel
wit &c