The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-09-03
The LEASING OF THE ATLANTIC
AND NORTH CAROLINA
RAILWAY.

feeling has been aroused, the Atlantic
and North Carolina Railroad has been
leased and there is the hope that with
this ends all strife about it's control,
and that the section tributary to it,
and the State at large, as we'll as the
individual stockholders. may reap
the fullest quota of benefit because of
it's lease and the prospects which come
from it.
The lease made on Thursday night
was in full accord with the promises
made by Governor Aycock, and in con-
formity with his views as expressed
by the vote of the States proxy in the
meeting. In voting to accept the Of
fer made in what is known as the
"Howland Proposition" Governor Ay-
cock maintained the position he has
consistently held that when the terms
offered were such as to satisfy him
that lease was for the best interests
of the property, and approved by by
majority of the private stock, he would
give his approval.
When impecunious adventures were
seeking by devious means to secure the
road, to seize upon it by the route of
receivership and Federal court inter-
ference, by alleging all manner of
things about it and it's management,
even to the charge of the insolvency
of this valuable piece of property, Gov
ernor Aycock and the States best adj
vic fri a
wall in it's defense. The Governor was
determined that the State and the pri-
yate stockholders should not be over
ridden, that the schemes of free lunch
missionaries should not prevail, and
despite the clamor raised about his
ears by those who were willing to see
this come to pass he stood firm in his
position, and for this has received the
thanks and endorsement of the State
Time has indicated him thus early
in his contention that better offers for
the lease of the A. and N. c. road
would come. He was not bullied,
frightened or cajoled, and when, fol-
lowing the vote of the private stock
holders he voted to instruct that the
States interests be cast for the pro-
position of Mr.. Rowland, he felt that
he had reached that point in which
all interests were best conserved, that
he had brought the road to haven
of safety.
The road now passes for period
of ninety-one years and four months
u -
of Asheville, or his company, known
as the Rowland Improvement
Company, chartered under the laws OF
the State of North Carolina, and I'M
der a lease which pledges to give every
protection to the road and to abide
by the laws of the State for the con-
troll of railroads. The prospects of the
road and of eastern North Carolina
are bright under the promises made
and if these are developed along the
lines contemplated it appears that
there is to be a great Improvement
and development of all the section
tributary to the road, the reflex action
of which must benefit the entire State.
Mr.. r. S. Rowland. the lessee of
the road, now a resident of ANheVille,
is man of great means and of great
business enterprise. He is most
courteous and affable gentleman, the
owner of the Providence. Rhode Is
land Journal, great newspaper, owns
and operates city and suburban rail-
Ways in Asheville, besides being inter-
Ioro
prises. Those who know him speak n
the highest terms of him and prophesS
without hesitation that his control OF
the A. and n. G. Railroad Will not
alone benefit the road. the stockhold-
ers. the travelling public, but that east
ern North Carolina is to receive
through him a vivifying influence that
will add to it's already great prosperity
and aid to make it one OF the pest
sections of this country. Certainly It's
mast and present show that it has the
resources for this.
Mr.. Howland's plans as they are re-
ported, are such as to be of great
value to all the people along the line
of the road which he has leased. In
deed, it could not be otherwise, for
he desires the broadest cooperation
of the people of Eastern Carolina
and having put his money into the
road it is certain that he will do all
in his power to make his enterprise
success The reputation which he has
attained in North Carolina, the friends
to him as man of character and
business sagacity, in whose integrity
of purpose there may be placed full
reliance. The vigor with which he
takes hold of the road adds to the
already high opinion he has won in
this State.
Passing as it does into the hands of
interests friendly to the State, inter
ests which have incurred none of the
I g ba -trifo rontprinp a hOIt