The New York herald., 1868-03-28
Interesting Proceedings in the
Legislature.
DEFEAT OF THE ERIE RAILROAD BILL.
Passage Of the Arcade Underground Railroad
Bill in the Assembly.
Deadlock in the Senate ON the ME-
tropolitan Excise Bill.


view Of the COntest-The Defeat of the Drew
Party, and the Causes Thercof-Wild Despair
of the 'sRinso-The Sudden and Terrible
Awakening from Golden Dream.
ALBANY, March 81, 1868.
The Erie Railroad war Is at an end so far as the
State Legislature is concerned. The Railroad Conn.,
mitee, through their chairman, Mr.. Prince, Of Erie,
reported adversely this morning on the bill OF Mr..
Bristol, Of wyoming, to legalize the acts Of the
directors Of the Erie Railroad and the report was
agreed to by vote OF SO yeas to 80 nays only thirteen
members being absent or s'dodging." The fulness
OF the vote shows the deep interest taken In the sub
ject.
The fight the BILL brief 1t was, forms one Of
the most interesting episodes in the historyof the
Legislature. II was bright, redeemng feature In
the stupidity monot0n0us and forcedy viruOus career
Of the present session. The bill was first introduced
on the night OF Friday, the 18th nst and after two
readings was referred to the Committee Railroads.
There was but slim attendance OF members when
the bill was presented so that its merits were not
generally discussed until the Monday following, to
which time the House had adjourned. Then
the members began to 'take Sides" The bill
was introduced under republican auspices, and
the little band OF thrtytwo who held out until the
last comprises republicans almost entirely. The first
break in the republican line was made through
son-naw Of Commodore Vanderbilt, who took with
him such members as he could. Another inroad was
made by the republicans In the "grand ring which
embraces representatives from both parties II was
evident from the beginning that the bill was not
capable Of success as o political measure The in
fuences Of the lobby brought into requisti0n,
and perfect swarm OF these adjuncts to legislation
was set to work by the Erie interest The tools en-
poyed worked zealously and while the legal thunder
Of the Vanderbilt party being hurled at the CON-
mttee they so far succeeded as to obtain majority
who were pledged to stand by the bill. Fabulous
amounts were promised or were said to be awaiting
the friends OF the bill 1t was even stated that the
Drew party were willing to spend to insure
the success Of the measure. There had been an
almost enten fast In the Legislature IN the matter
OF jobs. The "bOys were poor and hungry after the
long abstinence Of the session. How beautiful,
then, the prospect which the Erie contest
opened up to themi How they gloated over the
treasures which the fight would developl 1t was
deemed a fair and legitimate subject for plumber.
Two great spectators were seeking to get the ad-
vantage each OF the other. The money which might
be bled from them would be honestly earned. The
prize was 80 great, again, that "the boys" were
anxious to bag 1t ALL and they had determined to do
no business through the lobby, but go straight to
headquarters. Each man was so suspicious OF his
.'sold out" "Rings" Of two and three and more
formed for protection. In fact, the .boys" were
divided into ..ringsn throughout the House. The
'grand ringn was feared particularly, and caucus
ut Stanwix Hall was held by outsiders where an
"oppositlon ring formed for protection against
the leaders. The scenes at this time quite curl
GUS. All other business was neglected and few sly
ones managed to advance their bills In the general
disregard OF the regular routine. Knots and groups
were gathered about the Railways and cloak
rooms talking In undertones. When night
came the hotels were crowded and groups
OF half dozen, more or less were going
about from to room learning the news or trying
to ascertain each others position The prices TO be
demanded occasOned great deal OF debate Some
they were smiled at for their lack Of holiness and
for their uns0phisficalness The rate vibrated
between 81 900 and 49, 900, and some were unwilling
promised 81, ,O00-$500 down and $500 when the
bill became a law. The latter prOvls0 was too old
trick, many had been there before" to quote their
mystical way OF expressing themselves The words
are not very luminous to people generally, but the
lobbyists understood them. The Drew men at the out
set thus for themselves reputation for cheapness
which was fatal to their cause The paltry offer OF
ST. 900 only half CASH was contemned In view Of the
magnificent proportions OF the wealth OF Commo-
dore Vanderbilt The friends OF the latter, however
had not entered this portion OF the field OF battle
but they expected, and so the first offer was
none the less refused. Thus the canvass went on
until the last OF the legal arguments had been heard
and both parties had rested their case before the
committee.
deliberations was anx0usy awaited. The excite
ment during their silence was like that over the ses
sion OF jury when OUT IN great trial. The con
the more impatient had determined to take the bill
out Of their hands by vote OF the House.
IL leaked out that up to yesterday they stood
four for Vanderbilt, adverse 10 the bi and three
for Drew, or IN favor OF IT, SO far as the outside
world may judge such was undoubtedly the status of
fa.aa uvtiff M an
The '.ring,o HI the meantime, had become impa-
tient the delay OF the committee and they OBJ
tanned the introduction OF the dill In the upper house,
Two causes existed for this. In the first place, the
s.rngn up stars were jealous OF their c0mpeers
down stairs. If the bill were not passed In the
lower house there would be no chance
whatever for participation In the sp0ls. Sec
ondly, II the bill were introduced up stairs II
could be defeated in the Vanderbilt interest first or
was gold mine which they we're unwilling to let the
'rng" down stairs work alone. Hence It's sudden
advent on the tapis OF the Senate chamber.
Things were In this condition until last night,
when two startling rumors terrified all sides and
parties. They we're That Vanderbilt and Drew had
that the lobbyists In the latter interest
had suddenly Withdrawn. A howl OF In
shrewd than Others made rush for the subordinate
lobbyists and wished to close with them on the terms
proposed-$500 cash down-but the terms were no
longer offered. Dismay and distraction seized the
"rngsu and individuals rushed about franticay, as
though each had been the actual loser Of thousands Of
dollars. A mon muRninCent prOspeCt Ol Wedltn nau
indeed vanished into air for the second rumor
proved true. The chief OF the lobby had really dis
appeared and lis subordnates could not fulfil their
promise. The gieat was over the attacking party
had ingloriousl! fed the field, and the victory was
with their ad'ersaries. The committee reported
unanimously against the bill.
How far this result was affected by the testimony
adduced beforethe Senate select committee IL mat
ter for surmse;but that committee have also joined
In the pursuit0f the dying c0mbatants, and are
haooing ut their heels for they intend to report
some OF them least-agains the action Of the Erie
directors. stigatzlng what they have done as illegal
and outrageous
"BLCK. .CRooKr PUBLICATIONS.
bill passedthe Senate unanimously TO suppress
immoral advertisements and the trade In imInodest
publications. rbe bill has been In the Judiciary
Committee OF the House several weeks. The mem
bers OF this body owe Il to themselves TO hasten
action on 40 msritorous measure. Last year the
bill was ready br final reading, when It was mys.
teriously stolen from the Clerks desk. The "Black
Crooks and Sunday papers have raised an extern
sve fund to defeat the bill, but II is to- he
hoped that tlsir efforts will not prove successful
The committeeshould hurry up their report.
THE ELEvATBD RAILROAD IN BROADWAY.
The bill introduced BY Senator Beach to permit the