The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-04-20
John Bancroft Davis Bribed with Sixty
Thousand Dollars.

Mr. C. BANCROFT DAVIS, Assistant Sec
rotary of State OF the United States, and
long Director in the Erie Railway Com
pany, and law partner of DoRMAN
y EATpY has hithort2 been generally
regarded as q respectable man. Recent
developments, however, show that his
good reputation las been undeservcd.
and that, like many other men who for
time have enjoyed public esteem and
confidence, lie is no better in some re-
spocts than the most notorious rogues.
A Committee of the Massachusetts, Legis-
faturo has just been occupied in investigating
The affairs of the Boston, Hartford and Erie
Railroad Company, and that investigation
has led to startling disclosures of vcnality
aud professional treachcry on the part of Mr..
DAVIS. Mr. JoHN 5. ELDRIDoE, President
of this Company, testifes that he got himself
elected President Of the Eric Railway Com.
pany, aud that bribery was employed for the
purpose, the money being paid by the Bos-
Ton, Hartford and Erie Company. His object
In thus putting himselfat the head of the Erie
Company was to obtain nom it, for the ben
eft of the Boston, Hartford and Erie, favora-
BE contracts for freight, as well as pc
slnialy assistance toward completing tho
Boston. Hartford and Erie road Mr..
ELpRIpGE also tcs,iios that in bringing
about these results lie had the aid Of Mr.. j.
c. L. DAVIS, who was then and long had
been one of the Directors of the Erie
Company; and that he paid DAVIS 100000
asa 6riJo for his cooperation. "Mr. DAVIS"
he says icds TO dra5 he contracts aud aid
as IN carrying hcm through" On further
examination, ELDRIDGE explained that
DAVIS, while n director in the Eric Com
Iany, was also trustee of the mortgage OF
the Boston Hartford and Erie. The pecu-
mary aid which the Boston, Hartford and
T. lie obtained from tie Erie with the help of
DAVIS was in the share of guarantee by
the Eric Company of five millions Of the
bends for which DAVIS was trustee and
Of the 100000 paid by ELDRTDdE TO
DAVIS, onc-siXth part OF the bride was paid
IA compensation for his services as such
trustee The remaining $4,000 of the
brbe was raid to Mr. DAVIS for his ser
vices In securing this guarantee, and making
other arrangements between the two COM
pon,os Tor the benefit of the Boston, Hartford
ard Erie Company; that is to say, Mr..
DAVIS, VlEo Director in the Erie Railway
Company, took a JJibe of 100000 10 betrdy
MGr iatrrests by carrying through an ar
guqcmcut which has already resulted In
trc loss of millions 10 the Erie Railway
f.cclihol1crs, and may result in the loss OF
millions more
Ills charge, II will be observed is not
nodc upon hoarsay but is the sworn testi
mony of JOIN 5. ELDRIDGE, late President
of the Eric Company, and the principa,
munagcr OF the Boston, Hartford and Erie
II is the evidence, under oath, Of one of thu
principal parties to the transaction, taken II
pullc examination, and already blazonet
abroad through tho Massachusetts, press.
In view OF these facts, established b.
sworn testimony and uncontradicted, W
respectfully ask of the Congress Of tn
United Statcs-and we ask il in the name O
tie American people-how long this maj
DAVIS shall be permitted to remain tn
Assistant Secretary of State of the Unite'