The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-23
THE TELEPHONE. BILL.

ne lClCI 1UNC5 DILL
n Bristol Paper Argues isl Favor or Its
Passage.
(Communicated)
The following appeared in the Bristol
Va.o Courier of February q, 1900, as
an editorial under the caption, The Viz
einia Telephone and Telegraph Com
pany'':
..There is now pending in the Senate
Of Virginia bill introduced by Sena Tor
Sands, of Richmond, to incorporate the
Virginia Telephone and Telegraph Conf
pany, which proposes to build ana o'era'e
telephone lines into every county IN the
State The corporators are some OF the
most reputable business men in Virginia
Colonel John 3. Purcell, r. S. Bosher,
S. w. Travers, Hon. j. Taylor Ellysoh
and Judge George L.. Christian. of Rich
unond; Judge John ID. Horse!ey, OF
Lynchburg, and r. Z. Byrd. OF Winches-
ter. The bill provides that the company
MAY construct and acquire, by lease,
purchase or otherwise and maintain ana
operate telephone and telegraph lines. O.
either. with all necessary fixtures and
appliances in. under and along the
streets, alleys, highways, public works,
and parks, and through, across. or under
the waters Of, this State. in any city
town or county, in the State of Virginia,
subject only to the following conditions
namely: That the ordinary use of such
streets, highways. works, and waters be
not thereby obstructed, and that the said
company shall be subject to reasonable
regulations by the corporate authorize:
of any city or town as to use of street:
and alleys, and in respect to the location
and proper maintenance of such lines OF
telephones or telegraph within the limits
of such city or town
TT is further proposed that in the
event the company and any city or town
disagree as to what are reasonable rules
and regulations, that a petition may be
filed in the city court, or the court hav-
ing jurisdiction over the town. to deter
mine the question with a right of appeal
TO either party.
These provisions in the bill are OPP
posed by the city of Richmond and a
number of other cities and towns in the
State, which claim that the cities and
towns il: the State should have the abso-
lutte power to determine
''First, whether the company will be
permitted to enter the city or town
upon any conditions, and
Second, to prescribe such conditions.
rules and regulations as they please,
without any power vested anywhere TO
change or alter such terms. no matter
how unjust, unreasonable and prohibit
tive.
ut seems to us that this position is
untenable in any light we may view it,
and that such action will be putting
the brakes on the progress of public i'm
provernent rather than facilitating its
march The long distance telephone is
boon to any community, often saving
valuable time and great expense.
Kansas, Arkansas, Texas and number
of other States, have adopted in the
code Of general laws the privileges
sought by the charter of this company.
and Virginia should have a general
statute Of the same character
1--WE need only look into Tennessee
to see the great advantages which this
State is having under her liberal laws.
Every important city and town is rapidly
being connected by long distance phones
with the great south and southwest. A
connection can now be made as far
southwest as Galveston. Texas. and they
are in communication with all the great
cities of the South Mississippi valley.
1.-THE cities Of Virginia are not the
State of Virginia, and have no more
right to arrogate to themselves the alb
solute right to control their highways
than the counties have to control theirs.
The State is supreme and she is trus-
tee for all her people. The greatest
good to the greatest number is the prin-
ciple which should prevail. The whole
State will be greatly benefited by the
construction Of the lines proposed by this
company, and it appeals with great force
to the people of the rural and remote
districts. There is no doubt about the
good faith of the corporators. besides
{ha y ohor W
virginians have been proud to trust. the
bill contains the following:
1.-The said company shall not have
the benefit of this charter unless the
said company shall, within ninety days
from the passage of this act. deposit with
the treasurer Of the State Of Virginia
one hundred thousand (S10o0cO) dollars
of the bonds of the State of Virginia is
sued under the acts of 1881 and 1872 or
acts amendatory thereof, commonly called
century bonds, which are TO be forfeited
to the State of Virginia If the said COM
pany shall not, at the end of three years
from the passage of this act, establish,
either by its own lines, or by arrange
ment with other lines, a telephone sys-
TEN which will afford communication be-
tween every county in the State of Vir-
ginia.'
..Ir will thus be seen that the company
means business. There is every reason
why the members of the General Assem-
DIV. outside Of the cities. should vote for
the measure, and no good reason why
the city members should not If the
company is only permitted to enter the
cities and town upon reasonable and
very costly terms, the result will he tc
make the operation Of the system dearel
to the country districts that would not
nave only to nay fair tolls bur IN addition
nay ennrsa to make up tor the unres son.
able exactions made upon 1t by TIE clsies
and larger towns. We believe we voice
the wishes gof Z a vast majority OF 1.-The
people OF this section In urging that the