Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-12-30
Impartial History of the Erie War.

Impartial History of the Erie War.
A great deal has been said and sung con-
corning the railroad difficulty at Erie, popu-
larly known as the sour-krout and peanut
war of the Algerines." But very many per-
soAs are in the dark as to the real facts of the
case The papers have generally contented
themselves with reciting the daily occurren-
ces and outbreaks, without going behind the
curtain. We propose presenting clear,
though brief sketch Of the origin and progress
OF the collision between the company and peo-
pie of Erie, dealing in as little inyectiyea as the
nature of the facts will permit. When we are
through, we think our readers will agree with
us, that more lawless and disgusting exhi-
bition of human cupidity and dishonesty ne
yer have been exhibited. For the facts, we
are indebted to gentleman duly acquainted
with complete history of the trouble from
the beginning.
Some years since, the leading citizens of
Erie became aware that railroad would be
butt from New York to Buffalo on four
foot s inch guage; and also one from New
York to Dunkirk, of foot guage. They
subsequently observed thatthe common guage
of the Ohio roads was feet inches. They
Immediately conceived the idea of having IA
law passed by the Legislature of Pennsylya-
MIA, that no rail Dad III that State, east of Erie
should be constructed on a guage other than
/ feet 8 l2 Internationally causing break
of guage of all r. roa,Is at that roint. AZ
forwards they modified their demand from a
feet IL inch to 6 feet guage, to cores
pond with the Dunkirk and New York road,
and accordingly, from Erie to the State line,
track was laid on foot guage. Theeen-
trail New York guage of foot ID in., was
extended from Buffalo to North East, crea-
ting two breaks in 8 miles. The inconyen-
fence to travel, and detriment to freight, caus-
ed by these breaks Of guagS called for spec
dy remedy.
The parties representing the New York
and Buffalo, and New York and Dunkirk
roads should terminate at Buffalo and Dun
kirk the parties representing the Erie and
State Line road, consented that the Ohiogual e
should he extended from Erie 10 Buffalo for
a consideration hereafter mentioned. The
three companies, therefore, applied to the
Pcnnsy lyania Legislature last winter, and
procured arepealof the aforesaid "guage law"
whereby the Erie and North East company
were empowered to change the guage Of their
road from feet to 4 feet 10 inches.
Thesame persons who procured the original
"guage law" helped to effect its repeal. They
are now stockholders and directors of the
Erie and North East company. They be
came convinced that an engagement might
now be made with the railroad companies,
east and west of Erie, which would confer on
their city infinitely greater benefits than the
continuance Of the foot guage, Accordingly,
an arrangement has been perfected, the re
suit of which secures the construction of 6
foot guage road from Erie to Little Valley,
a point on the Dunkirk and New York road.
This secures to Erie what her citizens orig
Inally desired, a continuous 6 foot road to
New York. 1t was futher stipulated that
some 100000 should be subscribed by the
other companies to construct road from Erie
to the coal-felds Of Mercer county, on what
ever guage the Orleans chose.
The Road to Little Valley and that TO the
Mercer coal-tells, will require an expenditure
on the part of the Cleveland and Buffalo COM
panies, of more than million of dollars-all
for the special benefit of Erie.
But this is not all of the exactions demand
cd and submitted to. The Buffalo and State
Line Railroad Company have agreed to con
struct their machine and repair shops in Erie,
which Of itself is worth what can be realized
by the present break of guage.
Such Is a faithful history of the who lie mat
ter Every man after its perusal, will arise
filled with amazemeut and disgust; amaze
ment at the prodigal liberahty of the CIeye-
land and Buffalo companies towards Fries
interests, and d.sguStatlhe unparalleled hog
glshness of the shameless Doors. 1t will be
observed also, that the demaGouges and rab-
Die, who are destroying the Erie and North
East road have no legal nor pocuniary CON
troll over 1t, that the owners of the road are
parties to the change Of guage, that the III
reference of the Council and mob is gratu-
tous and Eawlcss. The directors and stock
holders OF the Erie and North East road had
already driven hard bargain with their neigh
borS, east and west. They have secured ey-
cry advantage they could desire; extensive
machine shops. a continuous six feet gauge to
New York, by the shortest possible route,
and access to the great coal-hclds south OF
that city. Could the boundless ayarice of
man demand more! And in consideration
OF these immense bonuses they granted to
other companies the priyilege-no right, be-
cause they were already wrong doers of con
yeying persons and property across the coun-
~ OF Erie, without subjecting them to destruc-
tive delay ut North East, andveXations pecu-
lation at Erie.-Forest CITY Democrat
New Orleans Dec 10, P. N.
The H-eofbay aud Jyo0}fs IN As,r DR.