New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-09
THE MOVEMENTS FOR ITs RppFAI-ARGuMsNTs
BEFORE TIE LEGIsLA ALIVE coMMIrrER

THE MOVEMENTS FOR ITs RPPEAL--ARGUMENTs
BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
ALBANY, March S.--The Assembly Railroad
Committee met to-day to hear advocates FOR and against
the bill TO repeal the Erie Classification Act Judge
Tremaine, OF the firm OF Tremaihe Peckhan appeared
IN behalf Of the repeal and Hamilton Harris for the
Enc Company. Mr.. Swan, the agent OF the English
stockholders, was present.
An AFFIDAVIT read from Alexander G. sisson stating
mat during the first half February be was frequently
az the ONCE OF Eyars southmayd Choate In the city
OF New-York, and there saw many persons sign ne
luton for the repeal OF the Erie Classification bin who
declared that they were stockholders Of the Erie
hoad ana had no interest in IT, The deponent gave tho
names OF hye such persons states that he himself
was invited to sign the petition after he had declared
that be was not a stakeholder.
An affidavit from Otis N Ainsworth was also read stat
ing that he also invited sign the said pctition after
he had said he not stakeholder Of the Erie Railroad
Company, and that he did sign it follows: Charles
Richardson 107 shares"
Mr. Tremaine asked whether any names mentioned I'm
the af1davits on the petitions.
The Clerk of the Committee said he had nst examined
the petitions aud could say whether they were there
or not.
Mr. Tiemaine said that the names spoken OF had been
cut of from the petition II having been asceained that
they were there without authority and that none OF
them would be found the petition that the name OF
no person was on the petition who was not bona fde
Of stock that the high character OF tho
firm whose office it insinuated the fraud wa- com
mtted made the charge incredible and that the names
objected had been placed the petition by persons
opposed to the object OF the petition for the purpose OF
MT Harris said that his side not ready 70 20 ON
lie notjce given thar fhe persons in favor OF the repeal
had not exhausted their argument and woud con'"""
Mr.. Tremaine said It was unreasonable to delay the
hearing in view OF the stage at which the session OF he
Legislature had arrived and in view OF the iaet tnat e
bill had been matter OF nooriety for e0nsderaDio
period and that abundant time had been given Tor both
Mr. Harris said that IL the other side had limited em-
selves to discussion before the COMMITTEE Oh tne piayet
OF the petitioners and mad only gone to ene Iooy
principle of the Classification bill, the remarks OF MI
Tremane would have some weight but the argument
before the Committee had gone beyond that and It mad
been sought TO aITaign the managers OF the Ete Cv
having been allowed IL might be proper th@ Company
to give thereto, and also have some oppor
tunity to examine these peuu9hs ana see II any i'N
lent names attached thereto. ~ -,
Mr.. Iremaine denied that the persons faycrins tho
the repeal bad gone outside OF the matters presenter
in their petitions. The argument Of Mr. southmayu Dc
fore the Committee was nothing put an amp,,nSat4a
of the facts forth IN the petitions Besides tho
whole argument of Mr. southInayd was based upon
fadts presen1ed IN te ny could not surely want
time To the facts given IN their own reports LUG
first petition presented in printed form on the lSth
of February and II notorious 10 all tlat theTe ad
been no concealment attempted OF any knn a was
announced at early day, In fair open handed man
ner that they intended TO apply TO the slatue Tor
relief by the repeal Of this Classification law 30 far AS
ing to close and it entirely apparent that II any
thing was ~ be done IN the mater IL must 10
often the only defense to wel-fOunded claim was de
Law An action in this matter had been prevented last
year by the delay, and it looked II the same tacSos
were 20 be pursued this year.
Mr.. Goodrich protested strongly against postpone
ment OF the hearing and said they would consider an d
iournnent attempt the part Of the Erie Directors
to delay action on the bu, III ORDER TO carry the matter
over the session.
Mr. Harris said that he did not see that the remarks
made By gentleman at all called for or al all
justiiable lie had communication from New fork,
Stating that they could not go this week. ana II was
unfair uncaed for TO say that they made delay for
the purpose of avoiding legislation. 49,
Mt. Irving then moved 10 adjourn the hearing ubtA
| Wedne sday next, which was carried.