The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-19
WLTTERSON AND BELMONT.


adopted thereon at that meeting. These
resolutions set forth that the Louisville
and Nashville as an artificial partisan
cannot hold office; that none OF its OFF,
GERS are seeking political office and their
duties prohibit it, and enter denial of any
responsibility for the two papers men
tened and of the commission of any I'M
friendly act whatever toward the Courier
Journal, as well as disclaiming Mr. Whai-
len as its accredited representative.
Continuing, the resolutions says:
THAT, as the management does not now,
1t win not enter the field of politics, nor
aid or injure any candidate OF any party
for the purpose OF shaping or controlling
party action. When, however, any indi-
vidual or political party attacks and seeks
TO injure the property entrusted TO its
care and 10 deny to it its proper rights
by melting a hostile sentiment among the
people 1t serves, and threa lens to cripple
and harass its operations and thus impair
its ability and lis efficiency in the per-
Torrance of Its proper and lawful rights
and duties the company will avail itself
of all proper and lawful means to pro-
tect It's interests by an appeal to the great
body of the people on whom 1t relies for
protection as 1t does for patronage
Resolved, That this board views with
apprehension the attitude of that portion
of the Democratic party in Kentucky as
represented by the Hon William Goebel
the nominee for the Office of Governor and
his publicly avowed hostility against the
Louisville and Nashville Railroad Com
pany, and especially the positive assur-
ance OF Mr.. Watterson that under existing
laws Senator Goebel, as the nominee, will
be elected to the office Of Governor, re-
gardless 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 companys interest 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
instructed to appeal to the people of Ken
lucky whom it has so long served and
with those interests it has been and is so
intimately identified for protection from
its avowed enemies, and as such this
board believes the enemies OF the best in
terests of the state
MIR. BeImonfs Letter.
Mr.. Belmont on July Il, on forwarding
a certified copy of these resolutions to
Col. Watterson, said:
1T would be unreasonable to expect
corporate interests to so wholly disregard
the injury inflicted or threatened by con-
slant attacks of political agitators as to
be silent so long as the politicians seek
office by appeals to the passions and pre-
JUDGES of the voters and especially by
efforts TO excite hostile feelings, to be
followed by hostile legislation. The only
protection to corporate interests gener-
ally is to appeal to the Sob
er judgment of the people. This is
a right enjoyed by all. individual and
corporation alike, and the exercise of this
right should not be construed as meddiing
in politics. The mana cement of Inc
Louisville and Nashville Railroad does moi
desire, even If it had the power without
the expenditure of a dollar, to influence,
much less direct, party politics, nor to
impair or promote the political fortunes
of any candidate unless the party of the
candidate Endorses and supports measures
and policies which would injure the COM
pany in the enjoyment of its legal rights
and in the prosecution of it's proper and
lawful business.
II nave made such Investigations as en-
able me to assure you that the manage
ment has not. up to this time, establish
ed the relations described by you with the
two newspapers, and that the relations be-
tween them and Mr.. John H. Whallen
arises from the fact that they, like the
Louisville and Nashville Railroad Com.
pany, desire that the political ambitions
of the Hon. William Goebel be not graft
fed.
1T is TO me source of regret that In
this critical juncture the columns of the
Courier-Journal are not available, and
that we are, therefore, compelled to rely
upon others to oppose those who openly
threaten and are endeavoring to greatly
injure and destroy the material interests
of the state of Kentucky, for the railroads
are such. Recognizing the mutual benefits
that have in the past resulted from the
friendly associations between the Courier
Journal and the Louisville and Nashville
Railroad Company, and the encouragement
which the efforts of the management has
received in its endeavors to furnish i'm
proved transportation facilities and develop
The resources Of the state, and realizing
the present complication, | remain with
personal regards 10 yourself and Mr.
Haldeman, Yours very truly,
August Belmont, Chairman"
col. Henry Watterson, Editor Courier
Journal, Louisville"