The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-15
RICHMOND IS NOT
ALONE in FIGHT
State, Cities and Towns Join With the
Capital.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AT STAKE.
Richmond Counciimen Declare They
Arc Not Opposed TO the Bell Com
pany, but 10 Methods Employed
and Their Defiant Spirit.

The sentiment of the people of Rich
the chartering of the Virginia Telephone
and Telegraph Company. granting 1T the
rights asked for in the bill now before
the State Legislature Not only does the
sentiment prevail in Richmond. but 1t IS
shared by cities ana towns throughout
the State This was evidenced by the
conference OF the representatives OF va
rious cities, who held an informal meet
ing in this city yesterday. at which were
discussed methods for the defeating OF the
bill and to make out a plan of CAM
paiSn against it. All OF these sElunicI-
palities are opposing the bill. not on the
ground that IL is to charter a telephone
and telegraph company, the incorcorators
OF which state that their sole avn is to
be comprehensive and to bring into close
communication all points in the State,
but on the ground that the provisions OF
the bill would, if acceded to. rob tnese
cities and towns of local government
and render void those prerogatives that
they now possess.
NOT SYSTEM. BUT METHODS.
The maxim. of Il system comprehensive,
it is admitted by all alike, is 4 thing to
be desired, and all express their willing
ness to aid in the contamination of such
4 thing. but to be the recipient of a
temporary benefit at the cost of a per-
,manent harm. IS a condition which none
of the cities and towns Will be content
with. This is what the pressage OF the
bill will bring about. it is claimed
In Richmond the Impression prevails
Telegraph Company, or its allied lines.
is back of it all. The recent and frequent
visits of Gneral AIeaney are regarded as
suggestive and this, in connection with
the fact that the days Of the Bell Com
pany in this city are numbered. is re-
sarded as proof conclusive, when 1t Is
openly admitted that the long-distance
service of the new company will! be se-
cured by the use of the Long-DiStance
Company's lines.
CITY OFFICIALS OPPOSED.
The sentiment among officials OF this
most decidedly marked. Several members
of the City Council and prominent ex-
city official were seen yesterday and
asked regarding their position In the
matter. These gentlemen stated that it
was not the Incorporation of a new COM
pany that they were opposed to- but the
provisions under which it was to receive
it's charter. They are of the opinion that
the Bell Company is behind 1t all. These
gentlemen expressed themselves IS favor
ing anything that would prove beneficial
to the city'S interests. and took occasion
to state that IL the Bell Company would
come before the City Council and state
that they had lost thetr fight In the
courts. had made mistake. and now ask
that franchise be granted tnem. prom
Using to conform to the regulations of the
city, that they would be IN favor or grant
ting such a franchise. and they knew that
they were not alone In the positions that
they tax we are not fighting the
Southern Bell Company, bat we are fight
ing the methods that the company has re.
sorted to In its contest with the city.
said one of these gentlemen. and we will
fight them to the end. II