The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-19


aggressive scheme Of the New York companies was
checked. The repeal Of this law by any meaas fair
foul, was determined upon oy the foreign railroad
interesa II was the boast of one OF their prom nent
men that the Legislature Of Pennsylvania should re-
pt al the Law il it cost $500 00 The wealth OF the
Central Railroad Company OF New York, and the
INSCRIPTIONS conduct Of those who have its manage
ment, ore well known. To the lasting disgrace OF
the Pennsy lvapia Legislature the boast was realized
BY the most corrupt practices the repeal of the Law
was obtained, and Erie was thus LETT without this
great support singly and alone to bate for her in
terests and those Of not less interested
than Erie herself Still, SO long as the directors Of
the Erie and Northeast road stood rm We were safe
But, by singular fatality, just previous to the pas
ssge OF the repeal OF the gage laws, they sold out
the controlling interests In their roa Is to New YOck
interests. At the same time no doubt An arrange
nent Was made by which either the Pennsylvania
directors bound Il emselves to change the gauge,
70 remain passive whilst the work should be done BY
The foreign railroad companies Still the Erie aud
Northeast Railroad directors hesitated 10 make any
more towards the change Of the track and the COM
pletion OF the through gauge 1t was not until July
last that serious fears entertained that they
were about 70 make the attempt. About four weeks
ago their determination was finally announced to
comply with the interests and wishes Of the foreign
companies
To permit this, would, in our opinion, be suicidal
W tuC VI Eric, duu We WOulI nave Dtcu
recresnt to the trust opposed in by fellow cit
zens If we had permitted 1t when there was way
by which it could be- legally prevented. The break
Of gauge we considered of vital Importance not for
the purpose of securing the drippLgs Of trade or of
levying contributions from the travelling public, a.
has been basey charged upon us, but for grave and
welghty reasons, one or two Of which we will now
lay before the public =
succeeded the speculations OF 1886, Nicholas Bdde,
then the greatest fnsncier in the Union, and ever
watchfnl of the interests Of his native city, Phladel
phia, fcresaw the great importance OF railway
communication from Philadelphia to the Lakes. A
charter for that purpose obtained incorporating
company called the 6unbury and Erie Railroad
Company, other previously existing charters occupy
ing the ground between Philadelphia and Sunbury.
other great prospects, was temporarily abandoned
But with the returning financial prosperity of the
country, many of these projects were revived, and
among others the SuEbary and Erie. Notwitastand-
way, there is bright prospect, if not an absolute
certainty of the early completion Of that great high
way, consideration which no doubt FASTENED the
catastrophe brought upon us by the foreign railroad
interests.
We have not space in this brief statement to en-
large upon the advantages Of this great project its
great importance to Erie It is sufficient to say that
when completed it will form bYfar the shortest and
speediest communication between the seaboard and
the lakes, and if fair competition is offered, will be
formidable competitor Of the New York roads,
even for the trade Of the West seeking New York.
II the New York road succeed In running past its
terminus by continuous gauge, we have thought
that would seriously retaId if not entirely defeat
that great project. fhe defeat of the Sunbury and
Erie project we believe to have been Of the main
objects which the foreign companies had in view
when they determined to force their continuous
gauge through Erie county at the present juncture.
II this monopoly succeeds in maintaining. an un-
broken interest from Albany to Chicago Il effsotu-
ally and completely precludes all future competition
n r1Atn1 ~v
whole trade Of the West. The Sunbury and Erie
road, with all its advantages Of distance and grade
could not for moment compete with this great ccm
bination. Freight once placed on the roads Of the
monopoly would be kept there until it reached its
destination. It will not do to say that the laws of
trade will control the shipment and transportation
Of goods. The fact is otherwise The la of trade,
left free to act are good but what these laws
troll them and to set them at defiance ? In order,
then, that the Sunbury and Erie road, in which
Pennsylvania is interested may have some CHI ance Of
obtaining at least portion Of the Western trade,
and not be left entirely at the mercy Of hostile in
terests, we are bound to the utmost extent of our
ability to resist this monopoly.
I'd. II the foreign companies su,ceed in their
schemes, there is one great monopoly Of railroad in
enough either to buy cut or to trampe upon every
rival interest, combining moneyed power which Is
without parallel in the history Of the country. We
propose making at Erie break Of this interest, and
~ IChllty COMPANIES lear.
The break OF gauge would be with them small
consideration il not for the break OF interest to
their mammoth combination. We feel confident that
the people OF the whole lake shore region will one
day. If not now tn Ank us for nterposDg to save them
as well as ourselves from this great moneyed combi-
Iatjon.
Sd. Erie has always felt aggrieved that the roads
(the Franklin Canal Company, in manifest violation
OF its charter) did not extend their roads to har
Dor, thus eDdeavorisg to cut US off-make US mere
way station, and throw all the commerce OF the
Lakes to the harbors Of Cleveland and Buffalo. We
feel confident that had We permitted the four feet ten
inch, OF through gauge, to be laid down. our chance
of getting the roads to the harbor was very much
lesseDed, IT not entirely taken away.
These considerations, with many others which
might be adduced, and some Of which will dou otless
suggest themselves to the mind Of the intelligent
readers, are sufficient to show the great importance
Of the question to Erie and the proprety Of the de-
termination ON our part to prevent it by oil legal
means In our power.
Let us look FOR q moment at the remedies in our
hands: The Franklin Canal C0mpany's ralway-the
one 1t Will be borne in mind from Erie west to the
Ohio lne-as at present located, was declared BY
recent decision OF our Supreme Court to have been
constructed without authority Of law and that it was
In fact gross and palpabe fraud perpetrated upon
Pennsylvania. An injunction then, could be readily
obtained by against this road and we accordingly
have commenced legal proceedings against it. But
whilst this was pending the schemes Of the railroad
men might, for che time at least be triumphant; and
once successful in laying down their through gauge
it might be very questionable with ali the influence
and money which they could command brought to
bear on the question, whether it would not be impos-
sbe, or at least very difficult to get it again taken up
Our true course them evidently toprevent at the
outset the laying down of this track. fhis We found
we could legally do. Legal counsel was taken upon
the question and we were advised by good authority
that the Erie and Northeast Railroad, where is cross
ed the streets OF the city was public nuisance,
which we would have right to abase. 1t will be
remembered as stated in the former part Of this state
ment, that the Erie and Northeast Railroad Com
psny, in order to further and to subserve the
schemes Of the foreign railroad interests had
never completed their road to the terminus called
for by its charter. 1t has placed itself within
the limits OF the city and the jurisdiction of the au
thores, without the protection of being on the line
OF Its charter. Whenever it crossed the streets Of
the city INSTRUCTED then it became subject TO the
control of the Mayor and Council Besides, the
charter OF the company expressly prohibited the
obstruction or impeding the free of any street
That the manner in which the road crossed our
streets obtructed their free usethas in fact it con-