New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-31
c1lfDEy IND AMBOY Us. TIE UNITED

STATES
The recent decision of State Court, which
closes an important thOroughfare and mail
route between two of the largest cities III
North America-that il, the Delaware and Kari
tan Bay Rairoad-causes wonder among the
people of thirty four States. Nor will the won
der abate when IL is known that the ground OF
action which formed the chief oifense of said
road, lay IN transporting troops on the way to
Washington while that city was threatened by
the armies of the Confederacy. OF course, the
action was brought by the ell-known Camden
and Amboy corporation. 50. 49,.
Tho origin of this monopoly dates back so
far "a 1892, when, by act of the Legislature of
New-Jersey, IL was declared that ut shall not
abe lawful to construct any other railroad IN
"ths State between the cities of New York
land Philadelphia for the term of 20 years"
# should DO remarked that this Company was
the successor of n certain steamboat monopoly
originally granted TO Livingston Il Fulton,
nearly 60 years ago but its most active life
IA included within the last s. years, and Is mainly
represented by the Stevens and Stockton fam
lilies. Properly, it is relic or representative
of grants made by English Kings TO their
favorites, and, Of course, bears with it what
evor Is corrupting and anti-repubcan in their
tendencies. Although the charter expired in
1852, by some legerdemain, it was construed to
run till 1859, when the Legislature granted
an extension for 10 years longer; that Is,
to the close OF 1869. As remuneration,
the State received gift of 1900 shares of
the stock, without cost, and guaranty OF
n revenue of $4,000 year on the basis
Of tax Of 10 cents on each through passen-
ger, and the passage money was not to ex-
coed So between the two cities Still, the peo-
pie of New-Jcrsey 10y no means cheerfully
submitted to the monopoly. During many
years, there have been protests,Epublc meet
ings, pamphlets, and various agtatiOns and
outbreaks and during the last thirty-fiye years
the Legislature has spent more time in discuss
ing the affairs of this road than any other
matter whatever. But, to tell the truth, this
ing tho road fulfill its part of the
contract, and to prevent the State from
being .defrauded of its dues, than for any hatred
TO tho monopoly as such. When the road
crossed the Delaware River at Trenton, tho
opportunity was improved to evade the obliga-
tons imposed by the charter: for they charged
81 in addit0n-that Is for the distance through
Pennsylvania. Then the Legislature passed
law that one half Of this over-charge, or so cents
should be paid into the State Treasury which was
assented TO rs n settlement. So far as we
can gather from the accounts, the road has
never paid cent Of this toll, and II is alleged
TO have been proved that, during II years
tho State lost between $2,0OO,OOO and S3,OO0,OOO
All A.
cessiye charges for freight litigation followed:
when il was asserted that there had been
tariff Of from $50 10 800 tun. To avoid
penalties, there was transfer Of responsible
ties. In the Investigations, 10 was made appa-
rent that there was Ring" of managers, who
accumulated vast wealth. Such was their
audacty that they refused to share with other
officers, and denied access TO the books, and
when hard pressed 10y impending prosecution and
consequent disclosures, they compromised with
the claimant by buying out his stock at Sl,456
share, the original value of which was Sl25
On the whole, nothing seems clearer than that
the State, by taking n subsidy, instead OF hav-
ing the power to tax the property of the Com
pany the same rs any other property, was
made, and is kept, poor. This is particularly
noticeable in the fact that Ncw-Jcrsey has
hardly any school fund, being in this respect
as destitute az Arkansas or Florida.
Nor have tho people been ignorant Of these
things. They have struggled manfully to gettheir
lust dues at times, they seemed on the point
OF being victorious, but in the end they sub
mitted to defeat. 1t is alleged that copies OF
journals bearing on the subject have been cut
from the files, and that important documents
have disappeared. Repeatedly have legislative
committees known to be resolved to report
against the assumptions of the road, suddenly
changed their minds, and presented warm
eulogiums. Men who were elected members
for the definite purpose of defending tho State
soon forgot their duty; others were assisted to
votes by the Company because it was easier
to manage them at Trenton than to defeat
them at the polls
BY means of passes and other fayors, par
tculary iu the way of nominal freight charges