Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-10
THE ONSLAUGHT OF RICHARD
AUGUSTUS.

! Tt is acutely painful to be compelled
to realize that Hon. Richard Augustus
| Dobie, chairman of our Board OF Har-
Dor Commissioners, has not been
throughout the consideration OF the
coal pier ultimatum of the Norfolk and
Western. either SO facile or felcitous as
the eXigcncies of the case seemed to
demand. In fact, the Chairman of the
Board has projected himself into the
fray with such fine disregard of the
niceties of a delicate situation, one that
might well have impressed minds OF
less magnitude, and bosoms less per-
fectly panoplied against the sings and
arrows of the ribald herd, that is only
too prone TO carp and criticise, that we
are impelled to emphasize the noble
scorn of official proprieties with which
the said member of the Board bristled.
We advert, of course, to the chivalry
with which he rushed to the defense of
the Norfolk and Western at Wednes-
days hearing.
Let 1t be promised that at each of
the successive sessions OF the Board of
Western has been amply represented by
from five to a dozen of it's officials and
attorneys. which was entirely right and
proper. This should have made it plain.
even to Mr.. Dobie. that the road was
not in need of volunteer champions TO
uphold its contention or to repel at
tacks on Its position.
| 1t is. therefore, with surprise not I'M
mingled with amusement, that we con-
template the spectacle of Chairman
Dobic (whose legitimate province was
entirely restricted to an impartial hear
ing of the arguments on both sides of
the case), rising to defend the Norfolk
and Western against statement made
by the Virginian- Pilot.
Chairman Dobe, at the Wednesday
meeting. after calling the meeting to
the Virginian- Pilot that the Board had
asked a written promise" OF the Nor
folk and Western not to go beyond the
Port Warden's line. If permitted to go
that far. Mr.. Dobie said that the
Board had not asked n written prom
ise:" it had merely asked an "assur-
ance." AS our only criticism of the
written promise" proposition of the
Board was it's utter insunciency to pro-
tect the interests of this harbor. we
cheerfully accept Mr.. Dobies amenda-
ton.
But let such minor details pass. To
pause for their consideration would be
but to distract attention from the noble
and inspiring tout ensemble of Hon
Richard Augustus Dobie defending the
Norfolk and Western Railway. whose
application for permission to build
coal pier he was supposed to be hearing
on its merits. If the Norfolk and West
ern had been a minor. n pauper unable
to employ counsel, or If 1t had lacked
time. means and opportunity to plead
its own cause, the spectacle OF the
Chairman of the Board of Harbor Com
missioners rising in his place (and
ignoring the functions of his oflice), TO
lift his voice in defense of the Norfolk
and Western. would have been less re-
markable. But with counsel and Off
Gals present and ready to speak for 1t
before the Board the precious disin-
terestcdness shown by Mr.. Dobie In an
ticipating them. his gentle but firm ad-
herence TO what was becoming in the
premises. and the amazing nature of
his onset Soothe and thrill.
Mr.. Dobie must either have volun-
tecred his services, possibly against the
wishes of the Norfolk and Western, or
he mist have spoken at their request
The character OF the defense would
imply the former. but Mr.. Dobie is en-
titled to either horn of the dilemma he
prefers.
With the interests of this port en-
trusted to a judgent so rare and splen-
did. what is there for the citizen to do
but fan into gentle slumber with the
priceless assurance" that all is well?