The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-26
EWy FROM THI STATE CAPITAL

and Port Wardcns-Wocjl's Ianuonce-
Resolution On Sisvery-IrrSpsesstsie
OenAtss Opened In Earncst-DiAas xn-
troducsd, 80.
QUE SPECIAL ALsAxr DksrArCH
ArsASy, Jai. Is, 1850
Ths Pro Rata Committes met again this morning to
hear the testimony u Tho Eric Railroad. The seyesM
officers Of that company were present. ready give thor
evidence against the passage Of Pro Rata bill
Tho nrss witness Questioned Mr.. Stone OF Cleve-
land Ohio, President Of tho Cleveland and Ashtabuls
Railroad II the numerous questions asked him no gaze
clear and concise answers, and considered that cost at
least twenty per cent 10 way freight trains than
did through and that the breakase Of cars is four In
tho winter 70 one in the summer. The speed Of the
trains IN the winter from fifteen to twenty per cent len
than In the summer The average number OF haul
d IN Tho winter by engine was nearly forty per
cent less Hs considered the Pennsylvania Central the
least abs 70 obstruction By SLOW Of any OF the through
routes When the roads al have the same rate, the
Southern routes take 1t lea their proportion The fuel
on tho Southern routes much cheaper than either Of
tho New York roads, tho Pennsylvania Central Only
about ono half much the New York roads, whilst
tho Baltimore and Ohio only one third. He thought
that the rates Of the Erie Canal control the rates Of oil the
fourth class feghs from Cincinnati and the Ohio river
Should the Pro Rata Law be adopted the through freghts
would not 60 to the canals but 70 the other railroads
The tendency Of all valuable freghts the railroads
The commerce Of tho country was in his opinion con-
oled by the railroads rates raised the New
York roads, would be driven TO other instead Of to
through business upon pro rata rate; II could not be
done unless all lines of aon both rail- and water
the roads would have to either devote themseyes excu
svey TO through freight or else discard that for way
freight any one q the New York lines was cut or
from the trade with the West and Mssssippi Valley IL
would aEnhaie their value, it would utterly destroy the
entire value Of the Erie road, and would nure the Cen
traba not destructive to the latter account OF its
way business He thought that ali the through business
done had lot been profitable, but would DO hereafter
The Of the LAST had given trade to
the Ri road over greater area which he considered
due exclusively To low rates. TIE effect the
result Of low toll on the canals The low toll on the Eric
canal had extended the reach Of the canals
into the Southwest. He bad attended the rail
road conventions for the last ten years. but did
rates They published to the world and il any one
line holds strictly to these rates the agents Of the other
Of each Inc to change its rates upon short notice did
more to keep the rates ct remrneratve prices than any
thing else, and any road compelled to give thirty
days notice before changed its rates. would get
any OF the through feights for the very day THAI their
reOuced rates took place the other lines that could make
a change without any previous notice would underbid
them and take the freights.
Mr.. Mno. Superintendent Of the Erie Road was then
brought before the Committee but before he gave any
testimony the committee adjourned until p. " will
be hard matter for them to get through with the Erie
road to-day Having decided not 10 hear testimony after
ROAD men TO reply TO the testimony that has been given
The Select Committee have been in session this after
noon, and had before them Mr. Minot, Superintendent
ana Mr. Marsh Receiver Of the Erie Railroad
Dir. Mnct was the FIRST person examined. He had only
been in the employ Of the Erie Company since last sum
rcr and cou'o not give any facts connection with the
operations Of tho road prior 10 that time. His statements
corroboraed those OF Mr. Banchards last ovoning also
those Of Mr. Stone at the morning session. but the COM
nittee elected new facts.
He WIS followed By Mr. Marsh, who gave large
Of ysuss He the rs.s
the Erie road the expenditure Of that company side
scss and ohsr ,5 ssc nn,s for would
amount Of freight was from six to eight millions They
could not compete with other roads under pro rata The
competing roads would carry all Of the Western freight
by bidding cent under their advertised rates. Neither
could they compete with the road at the Great Bend
the eastern portion of the road pro rata for
freighs the entire length Of the road it would
sna rS eS o Inc We pc Se
for which they could be obtained Il would bring rates for
,he milk H. to figure that would mot pay one
sidered that If Portland, or any other sea.
board city, secured better facilities for internal traffic
latter city, He bad been making inquiries ofrans Atlantic
steam .e.-r"nos about rates that they would goods
and produce 10 EUROPE and he found them unwilling
enter into combination upon rates that would enabo
them to bring the trade of the West for Liverpool over
the Eric ROAD in competition with the Grand Trunk road
The latter making arrangements for stl further
reduction They were offering greater facilities for the
Liverpool eghts by advances made upon the property
them at once. lie did not regard Portland as
the real point, but Quebec The steamers
from Quebec at Thirty shngs sterling per ton or about
Thirty two cents per hundred pounds fourth class
rates, with insurance. the from New York That
much cheaper than the New York rates. Under Pro
Rata law the NcwYok roads could carry pound Of
the Liverpool freghts the Pro Rata law is passed. he
should {oec. all the facts in lis power, and present the
matter TO the supreme Courtstatng his inability work
road under it, and ask for their advice The Grand
Trunk road was considered a political concern.
The aid from the government was given TO
improve the Canadas and build up powerful
independent nation north of us to &C. as a
check upon this country In recent conversation that
he had with prominent aud influential Englshn,an he
asked him what he thought Of the Grand Trunk rail-
road The reply was that not looked upon in Eng
land as railroad, but as political power Its securities
were all guaranteed by the government
This closed the railroad testimony. The Committee
then adjourned until P NJ to hear what might be
offered on behalf Of the petitioners.
Mr. UCnt Of Buffalo, was the first speaker that side
He argued that the roads had shown preference for the
Western trade the citizens or the western part this
state reducing the value Of the land ad property in this
State The people have been driven, by gross injustice in
favor OF this bill and the through trac TO be obtain
cd at great sacrce they did not that trade He
had great deal say the losses grain operators
at Buffalo on account Of the railroad company changing
Mr. Cobb, of Buffalo, nest spoke He looked upon
the railroads as creatures OF the Legislature, to be
controlled and restricted by them lie produced
receipts the Central Railroad which read "to be carried
were carrying western fregts to tho exclusion Of Buffalo
His main arguments consisted Of evidence Of loss that
Se Of adns q Ions showing nsaa
heavy discrimination in favor Of through freight tho
dency Of which sganst all portions Of the State,
ccpt the city OF New York
Before concluding his speech the committee adjourned
until to morrow.
There quite an arm oof politicians from New York
here after the appointments THAI TO be made for Har
Dor Masters and Port Warders. There is wonderful
Lutcring amongst them this morning. Many Of them are
fpdipg out for tho first time that Governor Morgan does
not make the appointments but that they al made by
Weed and the Regency and ratified by the Governor and
the Senate. This important pare Of the programme
majority Of the applicants did not understand until this
morning, and in great trfbuation know who
are on Weeds slate They have all been presenting their
claims before the Governor with that energy and industry
made tho discovery that they have been talking with
the wrong person. They have been talking with Mr..
Morgan, who IL looked upon % the Governor
Of the State ut least the person occupying that Office and