Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-18

There is an interesting railroad fight
now in progress in a quiet way IN the
committee of the Senate. The contest
over bill. the purpose of which is to
repeal clause of a charter Of a railway
company which gives it the right to con-
denim lands of schools, colleges. and in
stitutions of public or quasi-public ma
ture.
The bill, while general in its provisions.
has special application, and thereby
hangs an interesting tale. One of the eff
fects of the enactment Of the proposed
statute Will be to prevent the condemna-
ton OF right of way through the
grounds Of the Hampton Normal School
by an electric railway which seeks to
has all the property rights 1t needs ex-
cept the link it seeks to acquire by con-
demnation, right given it in its charter.
Went Through Unnoticed.
The bestowal Of this right was inserted
in the bill and it went through the Cen
eral Assembly without discovery-even the
patron Of the bill. it is said, not knowing
of its purpose. The agitation of the sub
ject at this time has to do with the fight
which the Hampton Roads Railway Com
pany is making to reach Old Point. The
line is a competitor of the old Newport
News and Old Point Railway Company,
with which Mr.. w. J. Payne, of this
city Is prominently identified. The Hamp-
ton Roads Compeny's line has been con-
structed and is in operation from New
port News to Hampton, where it awaits
the clearing away Of obstacles for its
completion to Old Pont.
Naturally. the old railway company
does not desire 10 see it's competitor get
what it seeks. But that is not the ques-
tioE OH which the bill is being opposed
so much as the fact that its charter
gives it rights which, in the opinion
of many legislators, it should not pos
sess.
To Correct the Evil.
The bill now before a committee of
the General Assembly, and which was
offered in the Senate by Mr.. Sale. and
in the House by Mr.. Cardwell. is general
in IT'S terms, and designed to protect not
only the Hampton Normal School, but
the University of Virginia and all other
school properties against the condemna-
ton of its grounds for railway purposes,
either now or hereafter.
It is said that fhe charter under which
the Hampton Roads compeny is now op-
Grating was originally granted to the
Virginia and louisa Improvement Com
pany. 1t was subsequently, amended and
transferred to It's present holders. and
in the subsequent amendment the i'm
provement company was merged into
railway company. with power to condemn
lands Of schools and colleges-an extra
ordinary power. not intended to be grant
ed. With the passage Of the BILL the
clause granting such power will be re-
pealed. 1t is for and against the passage
of the amendment that rival interests
are now waging q quiet struggle.
His COmpany's Interest.
The attorney for the Hampton Roads
company is in the city, looking after the
interests OF mis- company. while the pa
irons Of the bill will push that measure
Mr.. Cumming. member Of the House 1or
Elizabeth City county. is also an attorney
for the Newport News and Old PQnt Rail
way and Electric Company, and is too
good a lawyer to let that company's in
terests suffer, especially when the public
interests are involved
The fight is now apparent on the sir
face, but it is going on nevertheless.
and promises to grow warm before it
is ended.