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

OAiesal, Account OF the DiMculties-st State
msns by tho Authorities-ErAe Looking
[From the Erie Observer Extra, Dss. l4l
Great misre presentations and many falsehoojs re-
hsiye 70 the railroad troubles at Erie having been
ipdustriOusy circulated and widely scattered abroad
the Mayor and Councils of the city have deemed it
duty, which they owe ss well to themselves to an
intelligent public to submit brief statement OF af
fairs, confidently believing that when the truth Is
laid before the public their conduct will meet with
That portion Of Pennsylvania known Is the Tri-
angle, and composing the part Of the county Of Erie
bordering upon Lake Erie lies between and separates
the States Of New York and Ohio. Its extent along
the Lake is about fifty miles; and from its stuatoa
ID in the direct lii Of the improvements extending
west from the city of New York: without passing
through this territory New York could 0Dtala no
West Without passing through Pennsylvania she
can have no communication whatever on the Amei-
can side OF the Lakes. The city OF Erie Is situated
in shis triangle, on the harDor OF Presqne Isle, the
on Lake Erie. 4tc
: In 1850 the two great rival railroad companies
Of New York-the New York and Erie, and the
Central Railroad CompaDy-were each extending,
or endeav0ring to extend, their roads West The
termlnus OF the Central road was then Buffalo, that
Of the New York and Erie, Dunkrk, both situated,
as Is well known, upon Lake Erie but the Lake be.
ing closed with ice q considerable portion Of the
year, 1t became matter OF great and manifest i'm
portance to secure railway communication with
the West, in order that its great and growing trade
might have constant and uninterrupted transit to
the Eastern market, thus swelling the wealth and
increasing the trade of the city Of New York The
two great rival companies we're each seeking this
outlet, and each regarding the other. with undis-
guised jealousy and hostility.
It became Of course matter Of vital importance
to beth companies to secure passage through the
portion OF Pennsylvania which we have before des-
cribed. Let us see in what position they were
r..~l.t
strip separating the States Of New York and Ohio.
BY an act Of the Legislature of Pennsylvania,
passed in 1912, company known as the Erie and
North East Railroad Company was incor psrated to
East township (beng the west line of the State Of
New York; to the borough Of Erie. This, what
ever may have been the design Of the original pas
sage Of the act would, If secured form part Of the
link Of railway communication with the West and
carried the 80 far on their way to the city Of Erie
But from the city Of Erie west to the Ohio line
was still distance of some thirty miles. How was
this link to be completed Was there any charter
by which New York could carry her railways Yves. to
connect with those Of Ohio? By an act ct the Le-
gsaturc OF Pennsy lvania, passed in lS4S company
was incorporated called the Erie and Ohio Railroad
Com aany. with authority to construct . railroad
from Erie to the Ohio State line. Had this charter
been acted upon, and properly secured the line Of
Communication would have been complete. But
her great central road to Pittsburg, began to open
her eyes, and to look around her to see what was
doing upon the Lake shore. It was manifest that
railroad passing county in this way, and
forming connecting link between New York and
Ohio, was for the sole aud exclusive benefit of New
York that Philadelphia could hope 20 derive no ad-
vantage from it, but on the contrary much injury;
and that It would not be safe or prudent to per nit it
lectng Philadelphia With the West were either COM
,eted or in state Of greater forwaid ness than they
hen were. Accordingly the Legislature of l849
through the influence of Philadelphia and the Central
POLL AnfD oylv min al ~
ting the Erie and Ohio Railroad Company, thus
breaking the link and interposng, as was supposed,
insurmountabe barrier to the present progress Of
be New York railroads west.
Some years previous, however. an act had been
assed to construct q canal from Franklin, or near
rankin, (the county seat Of Venango county, to
AXE Erie. By an act passed at the same session
hat the other was repealed, Qs49,) this company
anal, if deemed most expedient Under cover of
hs charter railroad was constructed, as We shall
ball see hereafter, from Erie to the Ohio State line,
Onnectng there with the Ohio Railroad and with.
ut going to either of its termini.
In this position, then, stood affairs in 1850. The
auge OF the New York roads was either six feet or
'ur feet eigh' and half inches. No other gauge
IS known IN the State. The New York and Etie
as o. the former the Central Railroad of the LATTER
he gauge of all the Ohio railroads, including that
m Cleveland east to the Pennsylvania line, was
mr. feet ten inches 1t was manifest, then, that be-
veen the New York and Ohio roads there must
me where be break Of gauge. It was so apparent
at Erie, being as it were neutral ground aud from
location In the very place which could be DESIRED
ould be the place where this break should occur,
at it was at first readily conceded by both the New
ork companies, and no other idea was entertained
It'll the spring Of 1851.
We have thus seen the situation of Erie, the posi-
IN Of the two New York roads seeking the West,
ID the Ohio roads. We have seen, also, that the
ads OF New York sought to pass through portion
Pennsylvania, without comforting any advantage
ION the State-in fact drawing away trade from
v~,ntr1 lie H..
ge even upon Erie, unless there was q break Ct
nge. So manifest did this appear, and SO just was
claim OF Erie TO this trade, that, as we have said
fore, it was at once conceded to her. We shall
reafter that this break was matter Of vital inn
rtance to Erie, not on account of the paltry drip
ngs Of trade arising from the transhipment Of
eds, but for reasons of great weight, involving the
mpletion OF project upon which, for the last if
adiIes, worthy of more speedy rexard-the Sun
~ and Erie Railroad. Why, then, was the break of
age not fixed at Erie as at first conceded In 1860
agreement was entered into between the Erie and
rtheast Company, and the New York and Erie,
which the New York and Erie were to extend
ir Fix foot track to the State line, there to con-
st with the Erie and Northeast, who continued the
ne gauge to Erie This gave umbrage to the Cen
q were held among the various interests, and it
finally agreed to extend both the four feet eight
half inches and the six feet gauges to Erie.
Us natter rested. The Erie and Northeast Com.
" proceeded to grade their road for double track;
he New York roads were also progressing to-
rds the Pennsylvania line, each with its respec-
gauge. But in April, 1851 at the suggestion of
romnent person in the interests of the Central
lroad, the scheme was formed of running through
pnsylvania with the Ohio gauge, with great u
or object, not then fully understood, but now
and apparent. This the Erie and Northeast
npany resisted, and in pursuance Of its original
tract proceeded to lay down the six feet track.
Is 1t will be seen that the New York companies
ated not only what was just and proper, under
circumstances but their own solemn agreement
they adhered to their original agreement, there
"a nave been but one break Of gauge between the
and TIE West-thst Of Erie. By the violation Of
agreement they created two additional breaks
each roac-one at the State line, common to
?, and one at Dunkirk for the New York and Erie,
one then at Buffalo for the Central. Much mis-
esentaton has feeh spread abroad in relation to
breaks, and the opinion has been industriousy
ilated that Erie was chargeable with the delay
annoysnces produced by them to trade passi ng