The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-20
DryAL AND HIS SUCCESSOR.

\
The retirement yesterday Of Mr. II. R.
DuvaI from the presidency and active
management Of the Florida Central and
Peninsular Railroad Company is naturally
and probably a source Of much regret 10
the people of Florida in ,he development
Of whose state he has been such an active
and vigorous factor for many years. Mr.
Duval took hold Of the railroad situation
in Florida at an opportune time-a time
when the various short lines, many OF
them little more than stre1ks Of rust
were undergoing the various stages Of con-
soHdation and reorganization. From the
Florida Railway and Navigation Company
was evolved the Florida Central and Pc
ninsuar Railroad which under Mr.. Duva's
constructive genius, became the mag
nifcent system that it is to-day. II was
under Mr.. Duval that the Jacksonville and
Savannah line was built and the South
Bound Railroad was purchased, through
which Florida was given another and an
advantageous outlet to the East. II was
through Mr.. Duvals efforts that many
sections of the state of Florida became
prosperous communities, and to him in
part was due the upbuIding Of the East
coast. II is just. then, that the Jackson
vile Times Union and citizen should
characterize Mr.. Duvals retirement, so
far as Florida is concerned, as 1.-The loss
of a power for good" and TO suggest that
the people Of Florida should acknowledge
their indebtedness to such man on the
eve of his retirement
But while the people of Florida have
lost one good friend they have gained an
other. The Florida Central and Peninsu-
lar system passes. it may be said. from
the hands of Mr. Duval and some of his
associates. into the hands of Mr. John
Shelton Williams of Richmond, Va, who
becomes its president as well as president
of other systems, namely, the Seahoard
Air Line and the Georgia and Alabama, all
of which will be united under one vast
system to be known az the Florida and
West India Short Line. Mr. Williams is
not so old in railroad experience as Mr..
Duval but in the experience he has had
he has developed those same vigorous
and progressive qualities that character
lied his predecessor at the head of the
Florida Central aud Feninsular. The rail-
road property of which MI. Williams has
had charge has shown wonderful results,
and il has been a powerful agent for the
development of the country it traverses.
That has been Mr.. VILLAINS policy, and
it necessarily must be his policy in Flor
ida where the new system win have some
of its greatest interests at stake. 1t would
be mistake therefore for the people Of
Florida to conclude that they have suf-
fered an irreparable loss in the retirement
of Mr. Duval and it is not likely that
they have done so. 1t is betting that
they should show their gratitude for
what Mr. Duval has done. / is incumbent
upon them, too, to extend the warmest
welcome to Floridas new friend, for such,
we have no doubt, Mr.. Williams will prove
to be.
Florida Is 10 be further congratulated
upon securing an additional line to-
the East. While the Southern may
not build line direct from the East into
the state, it is practically assured that
it viii build to Savannah. Thus there will
be three lines in the East working for
Florida business, and the result is bound
to rebound TO the great advantage of the
state of flowers and sunshine.