The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-19

the proceedings, it's evil consequences are
as sure as the coming of the next session
of the Kentucky Legislature.
Sincerely your friend.
HENRY wATTERSON.
august Belmont, ESQ.,"
ACTION OF THE L. & n.
An extract from the minutes of meeting
of the board of directors of the Louisville
& Nashville Railroad Company. which was
held at the company's office. No. III Broad
way. New York city. on Tuesday, July IL.
1899, at 2:15 o'clock p. M:
'"The chairman submitted a letter from
the Hon. Henry watterson. editor Courier
Journal, dated Louisville. KY, June 30,
1899. reading as follows: QHere follows the
letter.
Whereas. The Louisville g. Nashville
Railroad Company, being an artificial per-
son. cannot hold office; and
whereas, The duties of the officers of
the company prohibit them from seeking or
holding political offices, in fact, none of
them are seeking such office; and
Whereas. The managers of the company
have not made themselves in any way re-
sponsible for the two newspapers referred
to, and have not set up as their visible and
accredited representative Mr.: John whal-
len, nor committed any unfriendly act to-
ward the Courier-JournaI; and,
Whereas. The management of the Louis
vile Nashville Railroad Company recog-
nizes that the rights and franchises ii now
enjoys were granted to II for the purposes
set forth in it's various charters, and also
fully realizes its duty to the public; and.
whereas. Corporate interests generally,
in common with private interests, have
right to be heard at the bar OF public opin-
ion; be it
Resolved. That as the management does
not now, it will not enter the field of poll
tics, nor aid nor injure any candidate of
any party, for the purpose of shaping
controlling party action. When, however,
any individual or political party attacks
and seeks to injure the property intrusted
to its care, and to deny to it its proper
rights by melting hostile sentiment
among the people 1t serves, and threatens
to cripple and harass it's operations. and
thus impair its ability and its efficiency in
the performance of it's proper and lawful
rights and duties, the company will avail
itself of all proper and lawful means to
protect its interests by an appeal to the
great body Of the people on whom it relies
for protection. as it does for patronage.
Resolved, That this board views with
apprehension the attitude of that portion
Of the Democratic party of Kentucky as
represented by the Hon. William Goebel,
the nominee for the office of Governor, and
hix publicly avowed hostility against the
Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company,
and especially the positive assurance of
Mr.. Watterson that under existing laws
Senator Goebel, as the nominee, will be
elected to the office of Governor, regard
less. or in spite of, the prediction of a
majority of the voters in the State.
Resolved That in view of the threat
ened injury to the company's interests, the
management is hereby authorized and in
structed to adopt such proper and lawful
measures as promise to protect the inter-
ests of the company, and to that end is in
structed to appeal to the people of Ken
lucky. whom it has so long served and with
whose interests it has been and is so inti-
mately identified, for protection from its
avowed enemies, and as such this board
believes the enemies of the best interests
of the State.
Resolved That a certified copy of these
minutes be furnished Mr.. Watterson.
"On motion the board adjourned"
LETTER TO wATTERSON.
New York, July H. 1899.
"My Dear Colonel Watterson:
"Your favor Of the 30th ult. was duly
received. Fully recognizing the danger
which you so graphically describe, SUBJ
mitted your communication to my codirec-
tors, and l inclose herewith copy of reso-
lutions this day adopted. You are we'll
aware that the Louisville & Nashville
Railroad Company should not and does not
intend to engage in partisan politics. Its
interests, like those of many other corpor-
ations, are subject to attack, especially by
vicious legislators, and, necessarily. when
so attacked, the management must adopt
proper measures of defense.
'It would be unreasonable to expect cor
porate interests to so wholly disregard the
injury inflicted or threatened by constant
attacks of political agitators as to be en-
tirely silent so long the politicians seek
office by appeals to the passions and
prejudices of the voters. and especially by
efforts to excite hostile feelings, TO be fol-
lowed BY hostile legislation. The only pro-
lection to corporate interests generally is
to appeal to the sober judgment of the peo-
pie. This is a right enjoyed by all, individ
ual and corporation alike, and the exercise
of this right should not be construed as
meddling in politics. The management OF
the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Com
pany does not desire, even If IT had the
power, without the expenditure OF dollar.
to influence, much less direct. party poll
ties, nor TO impair or promote the political
fortunes of any candidate, unless the party
or the candidate indorses and supports
measures and policies which would injure
the company in the enjoyment OF its legal
rights. and in the prosecution Of its proper
and lawful business.
II have made such investigations as en-
able 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 Mr. John H.fWhallen arises from
the fact that they. like the Louisville *
Nashville Railroad Company. desire that
the political ambitions of the Hon. VIII