Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
February 24, 1894
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
The Senate committee in Richmond debates the Richmond and Manassas Railroad charter bill. Proponents argue it will reduce high freight rates and boost commerce, while opponents from Alexandria fear loss of trade advantages over Baltimore. The committee is split 6-6 and will reconvene Monday.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
The Richmond and Manassas Railroad Bill.
The Senate committee on roads in Richmond yesterday afternoon considered the bill to grant a charter to the Richmond and Manassas Railroad. Mr. Millheiser, of that city, appeared before the committee in the interest of Richmond. He favored the bill and claimed that the present high freight rate to New York, caused by a combination between the railroad companies and steamboat lines, had been detrimental to the commerce of Richmond. A competitive line would prevent one corporation from controlling such rates.
Mr. F. A. Reed of this city, spoke in opposition to the bill. He said that his city was now enjoying a large trade, taken, not from the City of Richmond, but from Baltimore, and that goods were being sold and sent to different points by the merchants of Alexandria at a price which Baltimore merchants were unable to compete with. Of course, he said, he would not object to the bill if the Richmond and Manassas Road was not to get its line or control lines beyond Alexandria. But the new road would certainly make a connection with the Baltimore and Ohio.
Mr. Eppa Hunton, jr., spoke in favor of granting the charter. He said that the enemies of the new road had first objected to it being chartered on account of it injuring the State stock of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad. Now that objection, he said, was swept away by the provision that the parallel line should not be constructed until Virginia had sold her stock in the former road. Next they had circulated the rumor that the charter of the new line was only a "pocket charter." Now to disprove this rumor the parties behind the scheme were willing to give a guarantee of $100,000 that the construction of the road would be commenced.
Mr. Venable, of Petersburg, also favored the granting of the charter in the interest of the commercial interest of the State. The committee took no action in regard to the bill and will further consider it Monday.
It is understood that the committee stands 6 to 6.
The Senate committee on roads in Richmond yesterday afternoon considered the bill to grant a charter to the Richmond and Manassas Railroad. Mr. Millheiser, of that city, appeared before the committee in the interest of Richmond. He favored the bill and claimed that the present high freight rate to New York, caused by a combination between the railroad companies and steamboat lines, had been detrimental to the commerce of Richmond. A competitive line would prevent one corporation from controlling such rates.
Mr. F. A. Reed of this city, spoke in opposition to the bill. He said that his city was now enjoying a large trade, taken, not from the City of Richmond, but from Baltimore, and that goods were being sold and sent to different points by the merchants of Alexandria at a price which Baltimore merchants were unable to compete with. Of course, he said, he would not object to the bill if the Richmond and Manassas Road was not to get its line or control lines beyond Alexandria. But the new road would certainly make a connection with the Baltimore and Ohio.
Mr. Eppa Hunton, jr., spoke in favor of granting the charter. He said that the enemies of the new road had first objected to it being chartered on account of it injuring the State stock of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad. Now that objection, he said, was swept away by the provision that the parallel line should not be constructed until Virginia had sold her stock in the former road. Next they had circulated the rumor that the charter of the new line was only a "pocket charter." Now to disprove this rumor the parties behind the scheme were willing to give a guarantee of $100,000 that the construction of the road would be commenced.
Mr. Venable, of Petersburg, also favored the granting of the charter in the interest of the commercial interest of the State. The committee took no action in regard to the bill and will further consider it Monday.
It is understood that the committee stands 6 to 6.
What sub-type of article is it?
Legislative Debate
Infrastructure Proposal
What keywords are associated?
Railroad Charter
Richmond Manassas
Senate Committee
Freight Rates
Alexandria Trade
Commercial Interests
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Millheiser
Mr. F. A. Reed
Mr. Eppa Hunton, Jr.
Mr. Venable
Where did it happen?
Richmond
Story Details
Key Persons
Mr. Millheiser
Mr. F. A. Reed
Mr. Eppa Hunton, Jr.
Mr. Venable
Location
Richmond
Event Date
Yesterday Afternoon
Story Details
Senate roads committee hears arguments for and against chartering the Richmond and Manassas Railroad to lower freight rates and foster competition, with opposition from Alexandria merchants fearing trade loss; committee deadlocked 6-6, to reconvene Monday.