The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-04
Mr.. Vanderbilt and Asheville.

This is strange news we near from
Asheville. Mr.. George w. Vanderbilt
has applied for transfer t the Unit
ed states circuit court of a number Of
lawsuits in which he is defendant. em-
plOying the argument that because of
prejudice and hostile local influence he
cannot hope for justice in a state court.
1t appears, moreover. that Circuit
Judge Pritchard agrees with Mr.. Var-
derbilt, for. as the story goes, he has
consented to TAKE the ase himself.
And it seem to us that is about as re-
markable a state of affairs as one
could imagine in connection with a
community like that Of Asheville. This
is not a sandhill region Inhabited by
crackers n degenerates. Asheville is
a civilized and modern city, with we'll
paved streets, waterworks. electricity,
refined, luxurious homes and a popula-
ton composed very largely of people
quite as well born and enlightened as
Mr.. George w. Vanderbilt. il not as
wealthy. The representative and con.
trolling classes are v%irtuous, self re-
specting, financially Independent, trav-
eied. cultivated. eligible to very best So
ciety anywhere. With the exception
Of New Orleans we should say that
Asheville is the most cosmopolitan
community in the whole south-speak-
ing. of course in a social sense, that is
to say with reference to those one
meets in clubs and drawing rooms And
| one is bound to conclude, therefore,
that If public sentiment in Asheville is
| so inimical to Mr.. Vanderbilt that he
cannot expect justice in a local court,
the explanation of the fact is hardly
to be found in the character of the
local population.
On the other hand it is Impossible
to suppose that Mr.. Vanderbilt person
ally has done anything to warrant the
| widespread and deep-Seated local pref
udice to which he refers in justification
Of his plea. He spends little time at
Biltmore, and cannot, therefore have
come in genera contact with the peo-
pie. Furthermore, we have always
understood that he is a particularly
modest and agreeable gentleman, car
rying himself without oStentation and
employing much of his great wealth
for n improvement. identification
and ~upbuilding of the neighborhood. HI
has created a model town, introduced
superior methods, furnished many op-
portunities for the Industrious and the
progressive and scattered public ben
efits far and wide. He visits Biltmore
from time to time, bringing his house
party along with him and inviting such
additional guests from the local popu'
lation as he desires. His pleasures in
terfere with no one, abridge no rights
or privileges outside the borders of his
estate; offer, s. far as we can see. n
cause for resentment or affront. WhaI
he does in North Carolina is done ir
Virginia, South Carolina. Georgia, anG
other southern states by wealthy gent
lemen of New York, Boston and Phil
adelphia. and never. to our knowledge
with the result of offending the loca
population. Nevertheless, he claim.
that Asheville entertains against him
SO strong a prejudice that he canno,
get justice in the North Caroline
courts, and Judge Pritchard. whose res.
idence is there and who familiarit,
with public sentiment must be great
agrees with him!
There must be some reason for TIL:
remarkable condition. What is it,
Washington Post.