New-York tribune., 1871-04-21
WTNANS'S Defense.

lie ENDEAvoRs TO DEFEND HIS APOsrAsi-Hls
REASONS ARE HIS DUTY TO THE STATE AND
HIS LOVE OF ERIE.
The following letter has just been issued by
Mr. o. g. Winans In defense OF his recent action in the
New-York Legislature:
To he People Of he state Of Hoe York: Ny actions
within the past few days member OF this Lcgsla-
comment, and accusations OF an ungenerous and damn
ing character have been made against me. Here,
at the capital, where the different phases OF
this occurrence and the which produced the
unfortunate block in this Legislature well under
OF the newspapers have proper TO brand me
e iSr @ the to ePe S party That and human
invent have been applied to me. THE NEw-Yokk
condemn before knowing the facts. II they will
now in common with Other papers lay before Their
all that shall ask OF them.
The unfortunate occurrence of Friday evening the 7h
ran high and every member felt deeply the disgrace
which had been inflicted upon the dignity and proprie
ordered, which entered at once upon its duties Pend
ing this nyestigaion many were the sGrmses v as
resolution Of the House all business was suspended until
{hs during Ss oge ' Of y that
the Democratic party would expe Mr. Irving they would
see that the Democrats lost nothing by party ques
tions. was Of those who made such expression
TO keep his pledge After Mr. Irving had ceased
To he member of the wouldbe leaders Of the Re-
publican party saw an opportunity for prontabie
venture, and under the petense and cry OF reganng
party ascendency, they al once held caucus SO hastily
was this called that all the Republicans were not cogH
of it until it The next morning, think
written resolutions were handed to me at my desk
to sign and without reading them, as many often do
when busy with other matters, signed them. ~, -
That evening these resolutions OF secret caucus OF
portion OF the Republican members were published IN
The Albany Ereniny JoWTaL Wlyi AsacIineher upon
vassalage il their nalnes we're not published. Had
read these resolutions and especially the last one con
would have made me sign them. Although satisfied
in my own mind from the an1iety lOf hW 10
control and arrange matters concluded 10 watch deye
opments and satisfy myself whether all this parade was
really promote the interest and Welfare OF The Eepnb
Nv observations satisfied me- and resolved TO
thwart them. BY my course all the bright visions o
he appointed who after some rihng amendments
hills had been made satisfactory. and after pocketing
the reward of their cunning were to Whp the rank ana
file into ne blasted, and the expectations by when
few to make large sums of money were cruelty
Disappointed. To accomplish this result would nave
been sufficient reason For Inc to take the course dd
When The - Erie Classification" bill was pending in
the House, many Republicans PROMISED TO go against
| and stand by the road hut when the test came, al er
cep besides myself violated their pledges aud NO
lated their express promises The Democrats, amos 10
man. stood by the road and, having been connected with
the Erie Railroad for 90 years and spent the beet portion
OF my life IN us service haA,ns a"1Is neen on ,e inD,
friendly relations Win s 6i,eeIs, aot a'En"w'cse &
| thus stood 10y my road IN an emergency.
/ MY constituents elected me knowing full well my CON
it with my influence and my vote Tue Interests oi our
%h@e T sa1Crh sn Gsr Of e Erie Fri % Railroad %eo WIN
me nreseut Officers of that shamefullv
,ilited and abused on the floor of the House during s
session. hut their brilliant management ly which The
road become in point OF equipment ana CONVENIENCE
railroad In the world, Is r"lutauon OF all
such ISLANDERS. These gentlemen are my friends, ana
when prove false To- NV real friends " Igay my nght
hand forget its cunning, and my Tongue cleaNe To the
roof Of mouth. y
Ths Ner- TorL Times has seen proper connect the
name Oi senator Fenon with my action But The Itmes
is ready gTatfy the hostility OF its clique To senator
Frnto Nv the dasiardly means. catching at
opportunity 10 niure his welde-eryed fame, ana widen
the breach in the Republican, party
TUF TRII 10y Icr~istcnly advising bOltlng through
out the the past two years and The Times by
cndcavoIing To precipatc conflict between what is
tO disOrganiLc. disrupt distract ana destroy tht
Republican party than any aud All other causes put
together.
have moi seen ~eutor Fcnton IN three mouths aud that
have not communicated with him directly indirectly
Z ON any subject bCfOrr this Legislature.
Because l have been the means of breaking mp what
believe o ~ combination and conspiracy among few
men in my party 10 take advantage OF cOnsttt
purpose Of private gain, set mp for The finger of
scorn 10 be degraded If they can influence pub
10 the people of this state solenny declare that my
whole Ocu>, consists I'M uDbOckng the wheels Oi legls
latiOn. allowing business TO proceed, and saving the
hundreds Of thousands OF dollars by preventing
the necessity oi an extra session.
Although those whose sinister schemes have thwartcd
attempt TO read out OF the Republican party, am
still Republican, and hayc the proud satisfaction Of
knowing that have done tlc State great service,
dered an act OF justice TO the Democratic
/ party, and satisfied my own conscience.
Those who 0f bribery and corruption IN this
them a scrutiny of my anecedents and present p0
son. The history Of my whole life II refutatiOn or
this charge and those who have known where nave
lived will rcpel these base insinuitiOnsl
With this statement shall for the present rest my
ease with the people. OEANGE :. NiNA>-.
4ibdHy April ls 1871.