New-York tribune., 1872-10-12
PRICE FOUR CENTS
BARLOW-SMITH-ERIE.
THE INSIDE HISTORY OF THE ERIE REVo-
LUTON

THE INSIDE History OF The EiIE HEfO-
LUTON.
HOW GEN. BARLOW MADE S10O00-How SPEAKER
SMITH MADE $1,500-THE ATToRSEY-GEN-
ERAL AND THE LOBBY
The following letters and documents illustrate a
curious episode in Gen. Siciles's campaign against
the Erie Ring, and suggest few questions which
Attorney General Barlow ard the Hon. Henry
Smith, Speaker of tho Assembly, viii perhaps hnd
| it convenient to answer:
Attorney General Barlow TO Gen. D. z. &ckIe'
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GESERn,l
ALBANY, jan 1s12
Hon. DANIEL T.. SICKLEs-Dedr Sir: have received
your letter Of Dec. co. 1871 which you state that Or
behalf OF MessTs Bischofshelmer and Goldschmdt or
London, and others whom they represent, you arc
anxious to have proceedings begun In the name OF tho
People procure the custer Of certain Offices in tho
Erie Railway Company, and 20 call them TO account
money property Of the load which they hayo
| fraudulently misapphed.
You also desire TO retain counsel on behalf or the
whom you represent and you 10 bear tho
proper expenses Of legal proceedings including the pro-
curement Of necessary LEGISLATION.
You propose TO place in my hands ten thousand doll
lars $4,000 for tho purposes named OF which amount
eight thousand Eve hundred dollars $500 is ncosed,
and OF which Ihave........ lone line ilegble .....
In answer your communication will say that pro-
pose 10 begin at early day proper action TO
pllsh the objects which you name Such action VIII
be prosecuted with all the power and ygor which can
command.
You know my views in regard TO the outIages which
the present Erie managers have committed upon tho
rights Of stockholders
While the whole has interest in removing tbs
public scandal which the ofrenses Of these men have
created yet the removal OF unfahful officers OF PR
vate corporation essentially private interest. There
fore it is entirely proper that the expenses OF such
litigation should be borne by the stockholders-and do
not know that shoud have thought 1t my duty to begin
such proceedings except upon the application Of stock
holders who are prepared to bear the expenses
Another body of stockholders, besides those whom
you represent have applied to me in the same mannes
and have authorized me to retain counsel
Acting for both bodies OF stockholders have already
retained counsel and Steps toward the preparation
Of proper bill. or course shall control and direct the
conduct Of the proceedings and the counsel will take
their directions from me.
You speak Of retaining personally and indiyid
uaIy. have not yet determined whether can prop
ery accept retaners from private persons IN suits ot
this kind. Should determine that may properly 90
So will advise you,-but at any rate shall give all tbo
personal attention 10 these matters that the other duta
OF my office will permit.
Ihave already retained in the name Of your principals
tho Hon. Lyman Tremain, the uon. Matthew Hae. and
tho Hon. Henry Smith, all Of Albany, and have PAID
to each a retainer Of fifteen hundred dollars Gl,5oo
The ten thousand dollars ecOO is to be applied as
understand IT, not only 10 counsel fees but TO other
necessary expenses, such rs gettlnS evidence oo'
OF course It will wholly luture compensation
to counsel to be paid them the suits progress Such
compensation will necessarily be large though not eA-
tTavagant.
have also retained other counsel upon funds fur
nished by the other body OF stockholders 10 which
have referred. Yours, very truly
FRANCIS c. BARLOW, AttorneyGeneral.
BY the following extract from the accounts OF the Enc
Railway Company it viii be that Gen. Barlow soOa
conquered his reluctance to take fee;
TIE ERIE RAILWAY COMPANY 10 D. = sIcTLEs. Dr.: