The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-02

mnistration, as to work done on the road; not
mile OF rails having been laid down when he retired
from the office of President in 1899, and left the re-
sponsibilities and honor of carrying the enter
prise to others
Immediately after the changes in the direction re-
ferred to, in 1875, application was made to the Lee
gislature for loan of the State credit 20 the
pany in aid of the work A bill was accordingly
reported in the Assembly. authorizing loan of two
millions, to be advanced in four instalments, accord
ing to the Rogrsss Of the Rr mosf Inc Common
Legislature in favor Of the passage OF the bill but
after debate of three weeks, it was lost in the As
sembly, by majority Of two votes. About the
middle of April, 1885, books Of subscription to the
capital stock were again opened, and continued till
1862 shares were subscribed, amounting, with the
subscription of 1883, to s., 362, 100, on which pay
ment3 were made TO the amount OF S223, 100.
In the course of the summer of 1885, re-suryeys
were made preparatory to the final location of por-
tons of the road. The directors appointed benja-
min Wright chief engineer of the company, and
James Seymour division engineer for the route be-
tween the Hudson and the Susq johanna, called the
Eastern Division. In October, 1885, the office of
comptroller of the company was established, and
Samuel b, Ruggles, who was then ono of the drec-
tors appointed III February 1885, accepted the office,
and heldt without salary except penses, till 18th
of July, 1888, when the office was, on his motion,
Che then being a directory abolished. Mr.. Rug
giles was invested by the board of directors with
full and ample power to act for the company, and
entered into the enterprise with spirit and energy,
not on declining any compensation for his services
but refusing to participate In any speculation In the
lands on the line of the road He was largely inte
rested Unreal estate in this city, which he considered
would of course be greatly benefited by this and
other internal improvements communicating with
the interior Independent OF this circumstance,
MIR. Ruggles always took warm interest in canals,
raroa DIS and other measures for advancing the pros
lerity OF the country his early conneXion with
the Erie Railroad Company, and his suggestions
and services therein, known to those familiar
with the history of the road to have been equal
in Importance and results TO those OF any of its pro-
motors. Ills appointment as Canal Commissioner,
III 1889, deprived the company of the benefit Of his
services at an important period of it existence.
The late David Ruggles, lawyer, of Newburgh,
was the first general agent employed by the COM
pany. lie WAS appointed by the executive commit
rec in October 1888. Ills duties very dyersi-
fed and extensive, including the requirement of
donations of land voluntary releases for the right
Of way. subscriptions to the stock, conducting legal
proceedings, attending to the interests of the COM
pany ut Albany, &c. lie continued to act as agent
until February, ls31, when he resigned.
Through the agency of Mr. Samuel i. Ruggles,
in February, $50, Samuel L. Lyman, Of Utica,
then in the practice Of the law at that place. and
considerably interested in lands in the western
counties of this state, engaged in behalf of the
road, TO expedite the objects of the company. 1t
was thought that his services could be made more
available at first without his holding any office in
the company, and he 80 continued to act until
the 9th OF April, 1888, when he was appointed
by the directors, commissioner Of the company.
lie continued III the service OF tle company until
the sprng Of iei2, acting with great energy and
skill in their behalf for period of more than six
years, and until the last dollar Of the State loan Of
three millions (as hereinafter montioncd)
pended. His powers and duties were not defined in
the resolution OF the board appointing him, excep;
that he authorized to take such measures as he
might deem necessary to procure cessons and dona-
tons of lands. Ills other services to discharge
such other active duties, in pediting the work
AID promoting the general interests Of the company,
as might thereafter be assigned to him by the direc
tors. Ana his compensation. the mode in which he
should discharge his duties, and report to the
pany, were left to be regulated by the executive
committee. Owing to controversy between Mr.
Lyman and some Of the directors, who wished 20
abandon the road to the State, against his views,
he resigned as commissioner in lS39. la October
following he was appointed agent of the company
for the western division, and in January, $780, COM
missioner OF the Susq lehanna division. lie con-
tnued nominally in this station till August, lSii
when he again entered upon the duties of general
commissioner OF the company. Ills duties, how
ever, continued much the same under these
vario Is changes, and for long time he
was the most active person engaged in pro-
noting the objects OF the company. lie did
much or more than any one 10 wards obtaining the
passage of the law BY which the loan Of three nil
lions Of state credit granted 10 the company.
He got up conventions OF the people in the diff
ierent counties, wrote resolutions and addresses,
and made speeches explaining and urging the inn
portance of the work, and the claims Of the south
ern tier of counties for avenue 70 market. The
important crisis in the affair Of the com pany was
between the commencement sf the year lsS;6 and
the final expenditure Of the three million State
loan in the spring Of lSi2. To induce the Lcgs-
la.ure to make that loan. aud, the part Of the
company, to fulfil the conditions of the law was one
Of the most prodgious efforts ever made in the
State.
When the company organized, in 1893. Goold
Hoyt was chosen Nice-President, William G.. Buck
nor, Treasurer, and John Duer, Counsel These
Offices were little more than nominal until about
he me Cff .Ft
valley Of the Delaware river, in 1885, and until
then they were without salaries. The Offices of
Nice-Presdent and Treasurer were respectively
filed by Mr.. Hoyt and Mr.. Rucknor until Feb
ruary, 1885, when they resigned and Eleazar
Lord (having resigned the office Of Presidency
was elected to both Of said offices. and his
salary ss treasurer fixed al $1,000 per year.
Mr.. Lord held these Offices until the 18th Of Scptem-
Der, of the same year, when his resignation, pre-
yiously rendered, was accepted, and Peter G..
Stuyyesant was chosen his successor. Mr.. Stuyye-
SAINT accepted the Office but declined any salary,
and therefore not required TO give security az
treasurer. These Offices he held until December q,
1876, when his resignation accepted. Pre-
yiOus to the second election Of MIR. Lord no salary
or compensation was paid 20 the President for his
services, which gratuitous the part of Mr..
Lord, during his first term, embracing the time he
devoted to the company, at its organization, and
carly movements. Although the duties Of the Office
required much time and labor in their performance
during the administration Of MIR. King. from Feb
compensation whatever for his services. From the
date Of Mr. Lords second election, September -,
lsi9, 20 the close Of Mr. Bowens term. in Isi2 the
salary Of the President was $500.
The board Of directors, in 1886. being an impor
tant one, here give their names flames g..
King, President; Eleazsr Lord, Vice President;
John Duer, Goold Hoyt, Michael Burnham, Peter
q. Siuyvesant, Elihu Townscnd, samuel y. Rug
giles, Jane. Boorman, Peter Harmony, Stephen
Whitney, John Rathbonc, Ir.. J. Green Pearson.
John g. Coster, Of New York: jeremiah III Person
II Rockland; George ID. Wickham, Of Orange
Joshua Whitley, Of Broome, Directors.
Mr. John Rathbonc. Jr was brothcrin-law Of
samuel j. Ruggcs. and Of the officers of the
great Indignation meeting in the Park, in l-2l.
called 10 express the public disapprobation Of the
removal Il Dewitt Clinton Canal Commits
sioncr. lie was, also, an unsuccessful candidate
for Congress, nominated by the Cntonians and
other peoples men, in 1924, lie had previously
represented the democratic ('rammany llal) par
ty in the Assembly In 1875, he joined MIR.
Elcaaar Lord, in taking the f-st loan negotiated
by the state Of Ohio for her canals and AIrssrs.
Lord and Rathbone accompanied Dewitt Clin-
ton to Ohio, when he was invited 20 participate