The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-02-19
GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC.
The letters Which Passed Between Wat.
terson and Belmonl.
TIE /, AND N RAILROAD IN POLITICS


Louisville, Ky, February 1s.-Mr. Mil
ton H. Smith. president OF the Louisville
and Nashville company, has given out the
following correspondence, mention Of
which was made in the editorial of Henry
Watterson regarding the Kentucky cleo
ton. The first is telegram:
M. H. Smith. President Louisville and
Nashville Railroad Company, Louisville.
Ky:
New York, January is, l9o0.-Persis-
tent alluslsns to the correspondence 81
Mr.. Natterson and myself OF July last and
8 tendency to misrepfesent It's supposed
contents. compel me 10 authorize the pub
LEGATION by you OF the entire correspond
ence as well as the minutes OF the meet
ing OF the board OF the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad company. a copy OF
which was sent to Colonel Watterson
at that time. The reasons for my hest
tation to give the correspondence to the
public, apart from my already expressed
feeling that II was not an oppoTtune time
in the present state OF pS0iic mind In
kentucky. were that | felt reluctant WIKI
out Colonel Wattersons consent 10 pub
nsh the letter of gentleman in Colonel
Watterson's possession and for whom
gard. containing the bald statement made
before the actual campaign had fairly
begun that the election was not TO be left
TO chance" which meant of course that
the viii Of the people was not to deter
mine the result of the contest. Coming
from him. recognized as he was then and
has since proved himself to be, an in
fneraal supporter Of Mr.. Goebel such a
statement was we'll calculated 10 alarm
ell vested interests In kentucky. TO which
Mr.. Goebel and his adherents were known
TO be hostile, the property conhded to my
supervision being especially singled out b.
them for assault and destruction, IL their
public utteranes during the past cam
pa.gn and since are TO DO taken as an ina
dex. "A to the correspondence II speaks
for itself and must so stand, for say
now. and do not propose to De drawn
from the position l feel my official duty
and trust require as we'll as my ner-
sonal dignity, that l will under no cir
cumstauces enter into a controversy With
Colonel Watterson or his newspaper. feel
Ing that the abuse OF both the officers o,
the Louisville and Nashville rallfoad in
dlvidually and the corporal Ion itself does
not even now. and certainly win not later
when cool judgment reviews the past.
meet with the appreciation of the think
Ing people OF Kentucky at large. II
Is useless e attempt TO stem vItupera
ton which has become both habit and a
political convenience The public will
in due course appreciate II. and the Louis
viite and Nashville railroad will continue
as heretofore 10 attend to It's business
and the share It has in the welfare Of The
State. August Ralp,nns
Chairman.
Louisville, KY. June 80. isss.-Mr. Bel.
mont: AS your personal trfsud. and as 4
friend OF the Louisville and Nashville
railroad, venture 10 wri.e you this Letter
In nv judgment the local administrators
OF the road is entering JPN coqrs,
wf-ieh. II it does not tend 10 destroy IN,
property. viii greatly burden and ,mpaf
II. The democratic State iicket Gus, nom
mated VIII certainly be elected. Unde
the operation OF the Gosbei law the resul
Is not LETT to chance. In its purpose q
peat Goebel the Louisville and Nashyllf
managers have already expended larr
sums OF money IN futile attempts. To a
this they have not only made themselve
responsible for two unpopular and unin
nuentiai newspapers. but they have set II
as their visible and accredited represen
tatlve man by the name OF Whalleu, th
proprietor OF a variety theater and up
houhtedly the most odlous personality
the city and the State AT every turn the
have met defeat and they will surely me,
Z next November. For thirty years ID
coTri.r-Journal has been the steady, di.
interested friend OF the road BeIievin
i a public institution OF the greatest us.
fulness and most important factor
all our affairs. Mr.. Haldemann and my
self have supported II AT every iunctu,
requiring support. This has never cost ii
road penny, But under the policy no
adopted war OF determination is mae
upon US through the two newspapers
question and the man Whalleu. backed
BY tho money q the road. The end Is
certain as the day OF election. The issl
as II now stands Is the democratic par
vs. the Louisville and Nashville rallro.
aud on that Issue the road could not wi
sven II it's newspaper supports we
handled with capacity and discretion. q,
hey are not so handled. They are Il
uierest partisan concerns without circ,
lation OF Influence. conducted apparent
with no other purpose than to abuse II
Courier-Journal. II you will cause to
sent you the Dispatch and the Evenir
Port for single week and look over the
sach day. you viii be able to see for you
telf how the matter stands. On that SHOW
ng alone ] should be willing to rest Il
.ase, In my Judgment the situation is ho
nomentous and critical and ought 10
rest the serious attention OF those WI
control the policy of the road.
As said in. the beginning I write as
friend. The Courier-Journal has nothll
10 fear from the conflict forced on it
the managers Of the road. On the c.,
trary. 1t has something to gain. but melt
er Mr.. Haldeman or myself want 10 pro
at the expense OF the road. For Mr.. Smi
we have always entertained the kinde
sentiments. But Mr. Smith Is no M
proof against mistakes than other poop
and being man OF unyielding temper
is likely 10 be carried 70 extremes
this business he has certainly allowed
temper TO carry him far beyond the lin
of worldly wisdom and prudent fore2a
and II halt be not called upon the p,
csedines its evil consequences are as 81
as the coming OF the next session OF I
Kentucky legislature. Sincerely W
friend. Henry Wasterson
To August Belmont. Esq.-An extri
from the minutes OF the meeting OF I
board OF the Louisville and Nashville co
pany. which was held at the compan
Office. 121 Broadway. New York, Tuesd
July II. 1899. at 2;l5 p. m.--The cha
man submitted letter from the II
Henry watterson. editoE OF the couri'