The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-19
smith. Uncertain Temper.

smiths Uncertain Temper.
LAS I said In the beginning. write as
a friend The Courier-Journal has nothing
to fear from the conflict forced upon it by
the managers OF the road. On the contrary,
II has something to gain, but neither Mr..
Hademan nor myself want to profit at the
expense Of the road For Mr.. Smith we
have always retained the kindest send-
ments. But Mr.. Smith is no more proof
against mistakes than other people and.
being a man of unyielding temper, he IS
likely to be carried to extremes In this
business he has certainly allowed his tenn
per to carry him far beyond the lines of
worldly wisdom and prudent forecast, and.
II halt be not called upon the proceedings.
its evil consequences are as sure as the
coming OF the next session OF the Ken
lucky legislature. Sincerely your friend,
HENRY wATTERSoN."
Minutes of Directors.
Then follows an extract from the minutes
OF meeting OF the board OF directors Of
the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Com
pany. at the company's offices in New York
city. July II. 1893. at which Col. Waiter
sons letter was read and at which the FOL-
lowing resolutions were adopted:
Whereas The Louisville e. Nashville
Railroad Company. being an artificial per-
son. cannot hold office, and
Whereas, The duties OF officers of the
company prohibit them from seeking or
holding political office, in fact, none of
them are seeking such office; and
Whereas. The managers of the COM
pany have not made themselves in any
way responsible for the two newspapers
referred to. and have not set UP as their
visible and accredited representative
Mr.. John Whallen, nor committed any I'M
friendly act toward the Courier-Journal;
and.
Whereas The management of the
Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company
recognized that the rights and franchises
1t now enjoys were granted to it for the
purpose set forth in its various charters,
and also fully realizes Its duty to the pub
lie, and
Whereas Corporate interests generally,
in common with private interests have !
right to be heard at the bar OF public opin-
ion, be II,
Resolutions Adopted.
Resolved, That az the management
does not now. 1t win not enter the iield of
politics. nor aid or inJure any candidates OF
any party for the purpose OF shaping or
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 IL its proper
right by melting hostile sentiment among
the people, IL serves and threatens to Grip
pie and harass its operations. and thus
impair its ability and its efficiency in the
performance of its 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 protee-
ton as IL 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 Goehel,
the nominee for the Office OF governor and
his publicly avowed hostility against the
Louisville Il Nashville Railroad Company
and especially the positive assurance OF Mr..
watterson that under existing laws, Sena-
tor Goehel. as the nominee. viii be eisctei
10 the office Of governor, regardless Or in
spite OF the production OF "a majority Of
voters in the state.
Resolved. That In view OF the threat
ened injury TO the company's interests tire
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 70 the people Of Ken
lucky whom II has 80 long served and With
whose interests Il has been and is so fnti-
mately identified. for protection from its
avowed enemies, and, as such this board
believes, the enemies OF the best interests
Of the state"
These resolutions are signed by August
Belmont. chairman, and A. w Morris,
assistant secretary.
Then, under date Of July II, 1899. is
given a letter written By Mr.. Belmont 10
Col Watterson Mr.. Belmont incloses tho
resolutions referred to and in the course
OF his letter says
1T would be unreasonable 70 expect cor
porate interests 20 80 wholly disregard the
injury Indicted or threatened by constant
attacks on political agitators as to be en-
urcly silent 50 long as the politicians seek
ONCE by app2als TO tAe PASSIONS and pre-
JUDGES Of the voters and especially hv CT
forts 20 excite hostile feelings, 20 be follow
ed BY hostile legislation The only protec-
ton to corporate interests generally Is 20
appeal 20 the sober judgment OF the people
This Is a right enjoyed by all. Individual
and corporation alike. and the exercise OF
this rlght should not De construed az med
dinE ia politics The management of the
Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company
does not desire even r. il had Tho power
without the expenditure OF a dollar. 10 in
nuence. much less direct. party politics, nor
70 impair or promote the political fortunes
o. any candidate unless the PARTY OF the
and policies which would injure the cou.-
nsn} in ne enjoyment a its legal rights
snd tn tae prosecution 0f SIS proper and
lawful business
x have made such investigations as en-
able me to ASSURE you that the MANAGEMENT
has not ~ % ;his time. established the
relations described by van 70 the two
newspapers and that the relations
between taem and Mt John "a
Whalieu arise from she tac. lhat they. Hk-
the Louisville 4 Nashville Railroad com
pany. desire that the political ambitions Of
Hon. William Goc5ei D. not grarifisa.
Nevertheless. 10 one understands better
than you the Influence os the press as
means az educating the public ami dis
scnlinasing information anJ nu sure gu
WI. readily cauctie 'aaf it viz ha entirely
proper Cor tbe louisville & Nashville Raj
road Company, 10 the defeu>a of ia ia
teres,s. 70 aid In disseminating iufor-
nation through the press. II Is 10 me a
source Of regret that in this critical sunc-
ture the columns q the Cour;er-Juruai are
not available and that we are. therefore