Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-23
DECEMBER %, 1899
A MEAN EIGHT.

II the Southern Railway Company is
not encouraging or inspiring the attacks
made upon and distractions placed in
the way Of the Seaboard reorganization
and consolidation. it ought to take pains
to make that clear 10 the public
AS matters stand, the inevitable conclu-
sion is that behind Mr.. Ryan is some
wealthy and hostile moneyed interest,
able 10 employ expensive counsel, and
willing 10 resort TO extraordinary means
10 prevent the contamination Of a
scheme which has the approval Of, be-
cause it vitality concerns, the mass Of the
southern people.
In the telegram Of Mr.. John SHELTON
williams to Mr.. Ryan, which was read
in tho court proceedings for temporary
injunctions to restrain the consolidation
movement, had In this city on Wednes-
day, and in Raleigh, n. c., on Thursday,
Mr.. Williams shows that every effort was
made to conciiate MIR. Ryan and reach
an agreement with him on a fair and
equitable basis. In that telegram Mr..
Williams says: an conclusion. i will
again remind you OF the statement which
you made to me in one of our first inter
views-to-wit: That it was not your in
tentiOn 20 use your own language, to
'sandbag' the situation. and that If you
did not feel warranted in Joining US in
our plan Of reorganization, you would
name a price on your stock, which, your
attorney, Groner, informed me in the
presence Of your attorney. Page. had
averaged you between $50 and 800"
But 1t appears TO be an open secret
that since that interview I1r. Ryan, I'm
effect. threatened Mr.. Williams that If
he did not come TO his Ryan's) terms
terms altogether beyond the bounds of
reason, and which, Of course. Mr. Will
liams could not accept-he UiyaIO would
introduce bills into the Virginia and
Georgia legislatures which would prevent
the consolidation of the Seaboard roads.
At any rate recently, and al a critical
juncture in the consolidation proceed
ings, bill was quietly pushed through
the Georgia Senate which would hsve
greatly embarrassed, 81, indeed, It would
not have prevented, consolidation. As
soon as the nature Of this bill was dis
covered by friends of the Seaboard Com
pany they got together and made proper
representations to the Georgia House. IL
a very little while they were able &c
expose its true character, with the result
that II was overwhelmingly defeated il
the lower body.
The Judgment of the Georgia House
was that the proposed bin was not only
unfair and unnecessary. but monopolistit
I'm its character. And Judge Purnen, OF
North Carolina, seems 70 have given the
Ryan people no more encouragement than
the Georgia House did. We cannot but
commend the promptness and decision
which marked his treatment Of the in
junction case there on Thursday. We arr
quite sure no stay Of proceedings at al
would have been granted by him had n,
been fully apprised Of the facts, but hav
ing issued his injunction upon ex part,
statements, he was quick to give a full
hearing. with the result that the meetin.
at Raleigh was allowed 70 proceed anC
was able 10 do all the business for which
Il was called.
Apropos OF the devices the opposition
have resorted TO In their attempts to de
feat consolidation, the language Of the
Court in revoking its temporary restrain
ing order was so significant that We
quote 1t, as follows: "The order mad.
vertently signed this morning is revoked
and the service thereof held TO be in
valid In the exercise Of a sound judi
cal discretion the restraining order 1.
refused"
If as there is much reason for suspect
Ing, this is a fight between the Southern
and the Seaboard lines, Richmond is
bound TO give her sympathies and sup
port 20 the seaboard road. The Seaboard
line opens up 20 our city a prospect for
southern trade connections the like OF
which we never have had before. More
over. the nen at the head OF II are iGen-
tined with our community, and the evil
dences OF their energy ana public spirit
are TO DO seen on every size. On the
other hand. the Southern road may obey
Its charter In letter. but II certainly does
not Ia spirit In the matter OF keeping IFS
general offices in Richmond And We owe
II no great gratitude on account OF its
having sidetracked this city to the de-
gree II has. II has practically made
Richmond ''Jerlk-water" station.
II tnls fight, which goes In the name OF