Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-01-16
REPLY TO MIR. WHITING.

In replying to the COMMUNICATION
AIR. Whitins tire Daily Press CORES
| ponder. desires to say. first of all. that
| ;c Is not in the least inclined to antas-
| onlze any legitimate enterprise IN which
MIR. Daring proposes to engage. On the
| other hand, he Is ready to dc whatever
| may lie in his power to advance any
undertaking which. in. addition to the
| Personal benefits that may accrue from
| it, promises to stimulate the active OPP
GRAFTON OF those conditions which are
| accepted as the essential elements of
| popular prosperity. The fact, however,
that Mr.. Darling has been commsnda bly,
| enterprisinS in one particular does not
entitle his demands for. pubic privileges
10 supreme consideration unless ii can
be shown that the accomplishment OF
his plans and purposes, whatever they
may be- are best calculated to SubSarye
| the welfare of the people.
Mr.. Writings first question is easily
disposed Of. OF the scores of people who
have expressed their disapproval OF the
| hasty action OF the council in granting
Mr.. Darling's request for the use OF
King street, not more than. four men
interes ted in either the Schemes Dam Gs-
beach railway have spoken to the writer
upon the subject. and they aid not do so
until they We're asked to- talk. The
criticism complained of by Mr.. Whiting
comes from citizens OF Hampton who
believe that it is their right to comment
upon the official condslct of those to
whom they have entrusted the adminis-
tration OF the public business.
Mr.. Whiting Is quite right in opposing
vest pocket charters. But how does ne
know that the gentlemen who are ask
ms, for charters between Newport News
and Hampton are mere speculative
sc,1emers? AS a matter Of fact, neither
or the. charters now before the Legis-
Iature has been granted; and yet more
n, n Jnau xsyo he
slightest effcqt to ascertain whether
their assumption was well fcslnded car
not, Mr.. Whiting and his aFssrmanic
colleagues proceeded to set aside the
time-honoreE precedents of the local law
making body in order to bile MIR. Oar
ling to forestaE the fellows with the
vest pocket charters. And what is r
Darling's fra nchise? Simply grant to
occupy the street for horse car line
There is not member of the council
who docs not know that this is true
The fact that the WORT electricity is
used does not furnish a secure refuge
iBut let it be supposed that Mr.. Whiting
ls correct in assuming that the incor-
porators Of the two proposed lines are
in the pocket charter business The ad
mission intensifes the injustice perpe-
trated by the ccuncilrnen upon the peo-
pie II neither of these companies in
tsl ltts to 'buald its road, how could Mr.
Darllng's chances for obtaining fran
chise On King street have been, imper-
Ned by frank and open consilera ton OF
the question? Why was IT necessary to
force through at one meeting a measure
which, If what he says is true, might
nave slumbered serenely in a pigeon
mole for the next twelve months with
out danger of moiestation? If the peck
ct charter theory is correct, why did
not Mr.. Darling openly announce his
purpose to ask for franchise? And.
sWhen Mr. Whiting and his assocla tes
saw. which. as intelligent and compe-
lent eouncfmen they npust have done,
ina the enterprising railroader was try