The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-26

Quoting from a recent editorial in The
Times. I'm which We took the sub-com-
mittee OF the Council to- task Tor falling
TO report favorably on the petition Of the
Chesapeake and Ohio end Richmond. Pc
tersburg and Carolina Railroad Compa-
MES 10 be permitted TO make extensive
Improvements here the Charlotte -. o.
Obesrver says:
Just so. Yet q few weeks ago when the
Observer said the same thing the Rich
rnond papers jumped ON 10 and accused BE-
OF being spiteful. Our esteemed conttm-
poraries also assured the Observer that
there was no depot trouble in Richmond,
that all was lovely aud the goose was
honking high over the city ON the James.
We accepted their staten ents in good
faith and took 10 all back. but in View OF
the extracts from The Times edtora.
we begin TO feel that We haven't been
treated fairly. n looks Ike the Richmond
papers pulled the Observer of their SUBJ
committee so that they could havo n
square whack 90 10 themselves. without
any outside interference. The Richmond
idea 81 % harmonious situation commands
our admiration.
This will show 70 the people OF Rich
mond what sort OF reputation for pro-
gress we are getting 10y reason Of tho
dnly-dallying Of the committee which had
this matter I'm hand Those ON the out
side who read the Richmond papers and
watched the proceedings before the com
mittee were compelled 10 reach the con-
ciusIoa that some members of the COM
mittee were opposed 10 the enterprise and
were doing an that they dared to do TO
delay q. not to Kill It. IT necessarily app
pears % outsiders that Richmond is a
most nliberal city and IS not disposed 20
encourage investments from the outside.
There IS but one answer TO an this. and
that IS for the Street Committee to take
up the ordinance granting The nec's airy
franchises 10 the railroad companies and
report them with a hearty good viii 90
tho Council. and the Council should then
lose no time In passing them Apart from
every other consideration. we cannot af-
ford 20 LEI the impression 80 abroad that
we are opposed IN this community to new
enterprises. that we want 10 shut our
selves in and keep out those who have
money 10 invest
The question has been asked In an SIM
certify why n me railroad companies are
IN earnest. they should object TO giving
small forfeit bond. They object as we
understand f.. primarily because IL seems
20 them that 20 demand such bond Is
70 question their good faith when they
are proposing TO confer great benefits
upon Richmond and arc asking nothing
IN return. But their particular objection.
We are Informed. IS that they do not wish
70 establish such a precedent One o.
these companies IS now building "a new
line % road and is asking for TIE right OF
way I'm many different localities. T. Iich-
mond requires forfeit bond others may
also require such "a bond and while IL
would be % trin'ne matter IA one case. 81
the company mus pui up a forfeit bond
IN every locality through which 10 passes.
fi would become a most serious matter
and would possibly have an injurious
erect upon the company's securities. We
o. not know OF our own knowledge that
fhis s the reason for We have had no
talk with ihe railroad autholllies on this
subject. but such ~ orr UNDERSTANDING
ana the objection seems 70 ms 10 be en-
iirely reasonable.
Bat apart from ali this. Il seems 10 US
an unnecessary. not to say harsh. cx-
action on tire part OF the committee 90
demand o. the companies "a forfeit bond
when the companies are asking for no.
thing except the privilege o. coming into
achmond and spending several millions