The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-14

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In continuing. Judge Christian said
that every interest Shey had vas here
and that every interest was going to
stay here, He said that but for the
fight that they had WITH the Bell Tele-
phone and Telegraph Company, the Coun-
Gil never would have interposed any OBJ
iecHons to the new company's coming
here.
MR. MEREDITH TALKS.
Mr. c. " Meredith was the next
speaker He said that the sole view of
the fight against the Bell Telephone and
Telegraph Company was that the Coun-
Gil said: "You shall not enter our city
without asking our consent He said
that he had heard no statement from
the above-named company that 1t is not
interested in this move.
Judge Christian stated that gentlemen
interested in this matter were also in
terested in the telephone business in this
county.
Mr.. Meredith said: II accept your be-
lief, Judge, but l believe it to be er-
roneouS.''
When Mr.. Meredith finished Mr.. S. w.
Travers asked permission to speak. He
thought that the action of the Council
in the present matter was cutting OF
their noses to spite their faces" He
asked that the privilege be given them
in bringing Richmond up to date. lie
felt that the telephones throughout the
State would accomplish what no other
means had done.
Colonel John b. Purcell then came for
ward and stated very clearly. the OBJECT
of the new company.
COLONEL ANDERSON'S POSITION
Colonel George Wayne Anderson. of
the House of Delegates, was permitted to
speak He said that lie had been in
formed by some gentlemen that his mo-
tives had been questioned in regard to
his opposition to the telephone bill on the
ground that he was piqued at being no
longer counsel for the American Long
Distance Telephone Company He said
that whatever conference had been held
with him he felt justified in not regard,
ing it as CONFIDENTIAL that whatever in
formation he had was at the disposal OF
the people of the city. He said that the
first he ever knew of this bill was Sun
day two weeks ago. when he was asked
to come to the Jefferson Hotel where he
met General L. p. Meancy.
General Mcaney asked Colonel Anderson
to support the bill. but Colonel Anderson
said that he could not promise him un-
less he could see the bill. The following
day he did see the bill, and at once de-
clined to support It, on the ground that
the principle was. in his opinion, iniu-
rious to the city. After several con-
abandoned.
He took the ground that he could not
support the bill without consulting the
city officials and the city delegation in
the beCsla ture, and could not let it pass
without an amendment excluding the
city Of Richmond from it's operation. In
reply TO question from Colonel Purcell
he stated that nobody asked him to keep
secret anything that was said to him. but
ba a n discuss
with anybody pending the consideration
of the amendment suggested by him.
RESOLUTION PASSED.
The vote on the joint resolution offered
by Mr.. Gunst was then taken and it was
adopted The resolution is as follows:
Resolved by the Council of the city of
Richmond the Board of Aldermen con-
curing. That a committee consisting OF
two on the part of the Board and three
CT, the part of the Common Council, be
appointed, whose duty it shall be. in con-
cert with the City Attorney and conf
,intttee of citizens to be selected by the
presiding officers of these bodies. to APP
laws and oppose the passage of Senate
bill No. 800. to Incorporate the Virginia
Telephone and Telegraph Company
MIR EIIHSCN'S SPEECH.
Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson. in speaking OF
the object Of the new company, said IN
part:
'Your Richmond incorporators have
always symoat,,:zed With the position the
city has taken in the Federal courts with
relation to the old telephone company.
Our organization under this charter
would make the Virginia Telephone and
Telegraph Company Virginia corpora
tion and subject it to the control of the
Virginia courts, so that any litigation
that might arise between the company
and the citizens of tire Commonwealth
would be decided by our own Judiciary.
We have never desired nor would be
willing to take any advantage of the city
of Richmond in any way. We could not
do business in Richmond without the con-
sent OF the City Council VINO, under the
charter, would have the right to make
reasonable regulations With reference to
the conduct of the conlpany's business in
the city.
I'VE wish 1t clearly understood that
we are not asking for any exclusive prlvi-
lege We do not seek a monopoly either
in Richmond or in any ether section of
the Commonwealth. We believe that
con,petition is desirable in order to secure
the bes. service.
NEED a GOOD SERVICE.
eve simply ask the opportunity, which
the charter would give us, to furnish to
Richmond telephone plant which would
give our citizens the fine service enjoyed
,p C,oo,d Jo,,o