The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-24

were responsible in damages for the
proper care and Improvement OF lis
streets and no such LIABILITY was vested
on q county. lie then showed why the
right should be left to the cities to say
what corporations should use its priyi-
leges and under what terms.
e.sz.s. WAS. NOT INVOLVED.
Mr.. Braxton claimed that the right o.
eminent domain was not practically in
VOWED in the question. He claimed that
the report OF the committee did not re-
strict that right. 1t only restricted the
right OF the Legislature to grant privi-
leges in cities free of charge. which were
worth thousands of dollars to them. He
made an extended argument. showing the
difference between railroad and telephone
companies, and why railroad companies
were properly left out in the committees
report He strongly opposed the amend-
ment.
Mr. Hun.t,, said he believed cities and
towns should have the power to regulate,
but not to prohibit the establishment OF
great public service corporations
He strongly combatted the argument
made by Mr.. BraXton. showing why rail-
! roads and telephone companies did not
come under the same condition. and as
! serted that the same principle applied to
| both Mr.. Hunton was piled with cues
| tons from Mr.. Barbour and Judge Green
and showed considerable annoyance at
! being SO frequently interrupted, and was
| allowed to complete his argument With
! out further questions.
TECHNICAL COLLOQUY.
| When he had completed. he and Alr.
| Braxton had q technical colloquy on in
! tricate points of corporation Law. as TO
| telephones railroads and city charters.
| After this. there was a TELEPHONE cot
/! Ioquy between Mezsrs. Meredith and
Lii, lTJ-C Z
| taxed telephones.
/ Mr.. Thorn took the floor and made ar
other strong speech in favor OF TIC
! amendment He said members made q
! mistake in supposi:lg this vas a telephone
! fight It was Il fundamental right OF clti-
! zens OF Virginia that was at stake rms
/ right was proposed to be taken away
/ from them and given to any community.
/; no matter how small. that chose TO get
| charter and cali itself a town
! Chairman Brooke explained the reasons
| that pronpted the committee to recon-
| mend section ten, and made very apiG
| speech in opposition TO the amendment.
j He showed how Messrs. Thom- fiuuton
| and Carter had misunderstood The prin-
! ciDle underlying the question. and showed
| how cities and towns had dual existence
| and in a. sense represented the State anu
! individuals of the State at the same
| time.
! Mr.. Hunton made a short speech in
| favor of the amendment
| Mr.. Flood made a warm speech IN sup
| port of the amendment He said the pro-
| posed ordinance was but another eltoit
| to take away from the Legislature the
right to manage the affairs OF the state
Judge Green: Which side were you on
| in the telephone war two years ago.
i Mr.. Flood: II was on the side Oh tite
| American Bell Telephone Company.
F! Judge Green: Il thought 50,
! Mr.. Flood. continuing. gave his7ory OF
| the fight and said the defeat of the CHAR
! ter prevented the investment of i've NIL NH
lion of dollars in the State and the Is tad
Z. lish,nent of telephone lines IN every
I magisertal district in the state.
| The amendment was then voted OH is''+
i rejected-ayes, %; noes. 10.
On account of the sickness of Chairman .3,n
| Brooke. the committee then rose ana tiie
convention adjourned at las O'clock