The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-12
JNO. SHELTON WILLIAMS,
President S. A. l.. Il Y.
warm Debate the House.

JNO. ShELION WILLIAMS
President S. A. L. R'f.
Warm Debate IL, the House.
When the first of the set of repeal
bills-tl1at repeating the charter of the
Richmond and Washington Air Line Rail-
way-came up in the House
Mr. BowIes, OF Salem, moved to strike
out lines Il to 10, inclusive, of the COM
mittee bill and insert the following IN
lieu thereof:
..Wheyeas the General Assembly of Nir-
ginia was induced by the representations
Of the agents OF the Seaboard Air Line
Railway. who appeared before its com
mittees as promoters of a new railroad
| from Richmond to Washington, to pass
| three companion acts designed to forward
| and secure the construction OF this pro-
posed road;
| And whereas it was argued that the
! construction of this road. made possible
| by the passage of these acts, would create
| new taxable values in this State-that is
| to say. the road-hed depots and rolling
| stock of the new road, and in addition at
| least 81, 030000 of new securities;
| And. whereas believing and relying
| upon these representation, the General
| Assembly voted for these acts and re-
| iected the offer of the Richmond. Frsd-
| ericksburg and Potomac Railroad Com
| pany to guarantee u per cent. per an
nun upon the holdings of the State in
that road:
And. whereas. it is now apparent that
the promised road will not be built and
the new values in the form OF road-bed.
rolling stock, depots and securities VIII
not be forthcoming;
And whereas, the present value OF the
interest of the State In the existing sin
gle line to Washington is so great and a
| steady increase in that value is SO as
sured, that it would be unwise to part
with the interest.
Mr. Boaz, of Albemarle, spoke ably in
favor of the amendment and urged that
| it he adopted.
Mr. Saunders spoke for the passage of
the bill. and said the State should not
dispose of her interest. which was one of
her most profitable assets.
MIR. A1RAE'S POSITION.
Mr. McRae spoke for the bill and said
he thought the promoters of the Il. and
w. Air Line should make the fullest eX-
PLANTATION as to why they had failed TO
comply with the charter, in justice TO
those who had voted for it and who were
now placed in an embarrassing position
Mr. McAllister wanted the bill made q
special order for / o'clock to-day, but
there was much objection
Mr.. Saunders thought it could be
| disposed of in two INMATES. He said: W G
were completely sewed up last year, and
|
the best way we can.
The sneaker, several times in the course
of a running debate, made the assertion
that the Legislature had been ''buncoed
and ..hoodooed'' ut the last session
when bills We're passed.
| Mr.. NewTouse thought the Legislature
had been '.hypnotized' by the lobby.
and that the bills should be passed when
| Their was no lobby at work against them
Mr.. Early thought there was no rea-
son for delay and opposed postpone
ment.
special order-the Second Auditors tight
arrived at this point and Mr. Huniey
moved to pass it by until O'Clock.
HE WAS NOT HOODOOED.
The motion prevailed, and Mr.. Parks
! took the floor to speak on the repeal
hills. He said
He was not hoodooed last
session and did not propose to be now.
He said he believed the same influences
we're at work for the repeal OF the bills
that had sought their passage.
tIe said he believed the rise in the stock
of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Po-
tonlac Railroad was the result OF mani
Du!ations on the part Of these who we're
behind the scheme to repeal the biilS'
He thought If the bills Were passed the
stock would drop to $50 in sixty days
The statement by Nj. Parks that the
LEGISLATURE should hold the Ricilmond and
WASHINGTON Air Line Railroad to every
! provision of it's charter: was loudly cheer
ed by the Tlsrnbers
He closed by saying that such action or
the part of the Legislature would serve
notice on everybody, that when Virginia
! entered into a contract with people It's
Legislature meant that it's provisions
should be carried out
SHOULD NOT SELL.
Mr.. Saunders followed for the passage
Of the bill. and said the State had gotten
INFO q hole. and the best way out OF II
rs ~ pass the bills, and then if the
| state wanted to so out of the railroad
business an act could be passed authoriz-
ire the sale of the stock and fixing the
minimum price at S27c. He would
rejoice if the Seaboard Air Line
could be held to something, but the
states interests would be injured by
holding the company to its contract, and
he was still opposed to parting with what
was the most valuable asset she owned
Mr. Gravely spoke against th2 6liis. re
| believed the interests Of the State "ouid
he best subsery ed by holding the road to
contract and go out OF the railroad basi-
! ness He could see no good reason why
tne State should march up the hill and
thpn without good reason march down
| again. He thought the forfeit should be
| collected and the interest of the State
| in the Richmond, Fredericksburg and
Potomac sold and every other provision
of the acts passed last session carried
out.
MOTION LOST.
MI. Gravely yielded for a motion 10
I,,,t Z