Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-24
nm EIGHT ON THE sEApoARD.

1tA
the seaboard consolidation movement II
shown by the tone Of articles IN seVerai
Of the southern papers, ana espec'a'S
by that OF an editorial In the Cnai'o''e
IN. ca Observer. which is one OF the iioS'
conservative and judicial-mindea Journals
IN this section OF the country The ODD
server starts out by saying that ei9e
where II publishes an interview WIN H.
ST. John. Esq. vice-president ana genera
manager OF the Scaboard AIRLINE anu
I'm connection herewith an article from
the New York Herald OF the 18Th, IN |
which II is set forth that the opposition
I'm their efforts TO prevent the con-
solidation Of the several lines, old and
new making up the seaboard Airline
system. are not acting, individually Out
for the Southern Railway Company
Second. the Observer calls attention TO
the embarrassment Of the New York Pro-
duce Exchange Trust Company-an IN
necessary embarrassment, 1t would no"
seem clear-and TO the evidence that the
Southern roads influence was exerted IN
weakening" the trust institution, be-
cause it was one Of the companies en-
gagged in underwriting the Seaboard
consolidation. Third, the Observer notes
the exposure Of the purposes Of the Dill
that was quietly engineered through the
Georgia Senate" which had for its OBJ
ject, under a false guise. the defeat OF
the seaboard consolidation, In so far as II
applied in Georgia"
Then our Charlotte contemporary ar
eues-and argues with perfect ioglc-that
from the testimony adduced and the
charges made. fl must be assumed In
the absence Of denial, chat the Southern
Is resorting 10 every eXpedient to pre-
vent the merging Of the various lines that
would constitute the new Seaboard sys-
tem-a system which would then have
something like 300 miles of track and
be a formidable rival Of the Southern
railway" The Observer does not hesitate
to say that perhaps 1t IS natural that
tho Southern should fight the organiza-
ton Of a great competitive system, but,
# ADDS, and in this every man who has
the interest Of the South at heart will
agree with it, that If the Southern should
succeed I'm its undertaking. its success
would prove a great misfortune to the
South. which needs railroad competition
quite as much as IL needs competition in
any other line. The Observer emphati-
cally disclaims any preference or pre-
JUDGE between the two lines. 1t holds
that both are necessary, and It cheer
fully" acknowledges that the Southern
has conferred benefits on the South. It
IS in position to make this acknowledge
ment with sincerity. owing TO the geogra-
phical situation Of Charlotte. and the
inability Of the Southern to treat
that thriving city as it has treated Rich
mond. But its recognition Of debt TO
the Southern only imparts strength TO the
broad position it takes on the question.
1t does not follow. says the observer, that
because the Southern has conferred
benefits on the South, it should be allow
cd to throttle competition by Legitimate
means and to create a monopoly Of the
| carrying trade of a whole section Of
country Therefore, concludes the Obser-
YER public opinion should unite with the
courts Of the land TO see that defeat OF
the consolidation is not consummatcd.
And so say we all. For public opinion
and public veal are one and the same in
this matter Until the contrary is proved
and it will take a great deal of evidence
TO prove It to the satisfaction Of any one
who has followed the details Of the case
there is no escape from the conviction
that the Southern is sheltered behind the
anti-consolidation campaign and is de
recting its tactics Yet whether that cor
/ poradon is waging the war; or the per-
| sonanty that appears most prominently
| I'm that war SIS acting on his own respon-
sbllity. the issue IS not changed. The
fight for consolidation is the fight Of the
people of a vast area of country for
means for further material development.
The special individual and capitalistic in
torests involved are a minor consideration
as compared with the muluudinous and
diversified and widely distributed inte-
rests which are dependent for their up
building on the success Of the Seaboard
consolidation scheme.
As far as Richmond IS concerned there
IS not a capitalist; a merchant, whole
sale or retail; a manufacturer. a mcchan-
ic, a laborer. or a professional man, who
is not a party interested I'm seeing con-
solidation consummated, for it will mean
the beginning Of an era Of progress and
prosperity for the community such as we
have dreamed of for years, but have been
convinced could not be realized until we
could command just such competitive rail-
way conditions and trade entrance into
fresh territory as the new and perfected
Seaboard system would give US. Not TO
be heartily and wholly on the side Of
consolidation would be to repudiate every
argument we have used i'm the past as TO
what was necessary in order that we
might attain TO the fulness of our mani
fest destiny" as a commercial and manu-
featuring centre. And Just TO the degree
that the perfected system shall open up
in Virginia and elsewhere new sections of
country and result in competitive rates,
will the people of those sections reap adj
vantages, both in marketing what they
may have to sell and buying what they
may need.
HAND OFF THE SEABOARD!
If public opinion can avail In such a
] contest as the present one the Seaboard
| will win The p4oula 4f tho C,uf,....t.Yr,,