The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-30
RAILWAYS.

A Curious Chapter Of Railway Management
The Pennsylvania Central nnd the Erie
Roads.
Peter b. Sweeney, the Bsmark Of Tammany Hall,
has been interviewed, after the latest fashion OF
journalism, and while on the rack the following con-
fession was extorted from him. II reveals an inn
portant item in the railroad history OF the country
and, II true (which we have reason to doubt while
have every respect for the high moral character
and great ability Of Mr.. Sweeney 1t shows that our
Pennsylvania Railroad is using every exertion 10
direct the Western commerce OF the continent TO
this city, with the interests OF which II Is 80 closely
connected We are aware that the Pittsburg, Fort
Wayne, and Chicago Railroad secured the passage OF
an act which was approved the third day OF Febru-
ary, 1869, which provided for classification OF the
Board Of Directors as stated by Mr.. Sweeney There
act Of the Legislature OF 1869 relative 10 the
Pennsylvania Central Railroad published In the laws
for this year.
Plain, Unynrnished TISeS Ta,S O. The Eric ni'"
Reporter-Whle on general subjects, how about
the hErie blln that the Republican press make 80
much fuss about?
Sweeney-There never was subject so msrepre-
sented and misunderstood. The Republican press
have lied about it with purpose. The bill in ques
ton is just as much New York Central Railroad as
it is an Erie bill, is in precise words copy OF the
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana, and APP
proved by the Republican Governors OF those States
1t passed by the Legislature in this State when
both branches were Republican. The vote on its
passage in the Senate was nearly unanimous. 1t
month for objections, but none came The bill pro-
Vdes that certain number OF directors shall go out
each year instead Of the whole board but 1t does not
interfere with the power OF the courts to correct
abuses, nor does 1t tie up legislation 1t can be
repealed at any time. 1t has not been Of any prac
tical value to either the Erie or Central road. The
Erie stockholders at their election in october last
unanimously elected an entire new board without
availing themselves Of the advantages of the law.
The bill was introduced into Legislature purely
as defensive measure against the action in the
Pennsylvania Legislature looking to the control OF
the Erie road in the interest OF that State and sub
ordinate to the Pennsylvania Central, by which the
trade OF the West would be diverted to Philadelphia
from New York. The Pennsylvania Legislature
having passed bill precisely like that under con-
sderatlOn for the protection of the Pennsylvania
foreign loan, which it leaked out was intended to
buy up the Erie stock for the purpose ] have
indicated; Governor Hoffman held on to the
bill for objections, but not single stock
confer with him, urged him to sign the bill as
being calculated to settle the wranging and issuing
OF stock to control the road, and likely to work to
the advantage Of the stockholders. At all events 1t
was an experiment, and If it did not work well it
could be repealed at any time. Since its passage
the stock has been registered and its capital Is on
permanent basis. II the Governor had not signed
the BILL and the result had been that the Pennsyl-
vania Central obtained control of the Erie road, he
would have been condemned on all hands for the
undue and improper exercise of the veto power.
This is the plain unvarnished tale OF "the Erie BILL
Why don't the Republican press pitch into Governor
Geary, Of Pennsylvania, and the Republican Cover
nor6 OF the States have named for having signed
the BILL word for word? The bill has thus far
been Of advantage to either the Central or Erie
road, and does no harm that can see, because the
vote for the new Erie Board OF Directors unani
nous, as I have stated. 1t had one advantage-it
arrested the schemes Of the Pennsylvania Central
road to obtain the control OF the Erie and divert
trade to Pennsylvania.