The age-herald., 1900-02-19

minutes be furnished MT. watterson.
 ion motion the board adjourned
 Qsigned) AUGUST BELMONT, Chairman.
 Attest: (slgned) A. ". MORRIS,
 Assistant Secretary"
 New York, July Ii. 1899.
 MT. Belmont's Reply
 My Dear Colonel Watterson:
 Your favor of the 3Cth ultimo was duly received. Fully recognizing the danger which you so graphically describe, sulb- mitted your communication to my CO., directors, and I enclose herewith a copy of resolutions this day adopted.
 You are we'll aware that the Louisville and Nashville road should not and does not engage in politics. Its interests, like those of many other corpora tions. are subject to attack, and especially by vicious legisla- tors, and necessarily, when so attacked, the management must adopt proper meas- ures of defense.
 Tt would be unreasonable to expect cor porate interests to So wholly disregard the injuries as threatened by constant attacks or political agitators, as to be entirely silent, so long as the politicians seek office by appeals to the passions and prejudices or the voters, and especially by efforts to exert hostile feelings to be followsd by hostile legislation. The only protection to corporate interests generally is to appeal to the sober judgment of the people, This is right enjoyed by all individuals and corporations alike, and the exercise of this right should not be construed as meddling in politics. The management of the Louis- vile and Nashville road does not desire, even if 1t had the power without the ex- pendfture of a dollar, to influence, much less direct, party politics, nor to impair or promote the political fortunes of any can didate unless the party or the candidate endorses and supports measures and poli- cies which would injure the company in the enjoyment of its legal rights, and in the prosecution of its proper and lawful busi- ness.
 q have made such Investigations as en- ables me to assure you that the manage ment has not, up to this time, established the relations described by you with the two newspapers and that the relations between them and MT. John Whallen arises from the fact that they, like the Louisville and
 
 the political ambition of the Hon. William Goebel, be not gratified. Nevertheless, no one understands better than you the in- f1uence of the press as a means of educat- ing the public and disseminating informa- -rtion, and I am sure you will readily con cede that it will be entirely proper for the Louisville. and Nashville Railroad company. in the defense of it's interests, to aid in disseminating information through the press. It Is to source of regret that in this critical juncture the columns of the Courier-Journal are not available and that we are, therefore, compelled to. rely upon others to oppose those who openly threat en and are endeavoring to greatly injure and. if possible, destroy the material inter- ests of the state of Kentucky, for tfne rail- roads and their ramifcations are such
 Recognizing the mutual benefits that have in the past resulted from the friendly associations between the Courier-Journal and the Louisville and Nashville Railroad company, and the encouragement which in its endeavors to furnish improved trans portation facilities, and develop the re- sources of the state, and .regretting the present complications, ! remain, with per sonal regards to yourself and MT. Halde- man. yours very truly.
 (Signed) AUGUST BELMONT, Chairman. "Col. Henry Watterson, Editor Courier Journal, Louisville, Ky"