The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-12

| Work that Remains To Do Denes
| Another startling scene has been enacted In
the sensational drama of Erie; another bat
tie has been fought in the war of reform, and
another victory gained over the forces of cor
raption. The men who have 80 long held
lawless possession of the Erie Railroad, squan-
dering its income, confscating its property
and defying its stockholders, have been
stripped of their power and driven from their
stronghold by successful revolution in their
own body. The story is graphically told in
the HERALD to-day. A majority Of the direc-
tors, shocked at the recent disclosures of the
INSCRIPTIONS acts of their associates, and
alarmed at the responsibility attaching to
themselves as members Of the board, at
tended a meeting called by Vice Presi-
dent Archer, at the company's Offices, in the
Grand Opera House building, yesterday, and
of several of their body, one after another,
filed the vacancies with citizens of character
and WORTH embracing the names of General
John A. Dix General George B. Mcclellan,
General H. L. Lansing, Colonel Henry g.
Stebbins, S. L. M. Barlow, W. R. Travers,
Charles Day and A. s. Diven. OF the old
directors Vice President o. H. P. Archer,
who led the revolutionary forces, Homer Rams
dell, George O. Hall, Justin D. White and M.
| H. Simons remained in the new board, which
organized by electing General Dix President,
in place Of Jay Gould.
During these proceedings strong police
force was mustered in the halls and
corridors, and file of men was
marched into the presence of the board and
requested by the legal adviser of Gould to
clear the room. The sergeant in charge of
the line, when he saw the character of the
citizens with whom he had to deal, hesitated
to obey The Superintendent of the force
soon afterwards appeared on the scene, and,
recognizing the authority of the new board,
placed his men under their instructions.
After the adjournment an exciting incident
occurred through the arrival of the United
States Marshal and his posse. who forced
open the door of an apartment held by Gould
and served him with legal process on behalf
of the stockh olders OF the road. The deposed
and discounted ex-President then fed from
the principal Offices to another part of the
building; the General Superintendent and
Auditor acknowledged In writing the authority
of General Dix; the subordinate en-
ployes, recognizing in discretion the
better part Of valor, forsook the fortunes Of
the fallen Ring the books, vouchers, receipts
and papers Of the corporation, together with
the treasury, were placed at the disposal of
the new regime, aud the revolution was COM
plete. No coup Tftat has resulted in more
entire success since the night of the famous I'd
of December, when Paris suddenly found Itself
In state of siege, with the Assembly dis
solved by decree, nearly two hundred of the
representatives under arrest and the leaders
transferred from their beds to prison cells.
Now that the humiliation of the Erie Ring
Is complete, 1t is curious to see how little real
strength there was in power that has con-
trolled our Courts, owned our Legislatures,
and for some years set law and justice at de-
fance. When the blow fell upon the men who
have been regarded as giants in strategy and
boldness they dwindled instantly into the
dimension of pigmies. After their abandon.
ment of the contest it was a singular sight to
survey the scene of their former trumphs and
glories; to see the officers of the law, who had
80 often done their bidding now holding their
own magnificent building against them; tc
find a score Of honest, reputable citizens, in
quiet possession of the rooms where the
stad aspect of business has been made to yield
to the most sumptuous luxury and display
where the gaudy busts Of men bloated with
vice stare from the desks, and portraits tha
should grace the Mulberry street albums
adorn the walls.
But something further yet remains to b,
done. 1t is not probable that Gould will
refrain from attempts to recover his los
power. It is said that some of the acts o
the board at yesterdays meeting are mo-
strictly regular; but this Is mere folly. The
acts of Gould have been from the first illegal,