The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-26

In my head. He wished me 10 commence opera
tions,n as he expressed II, at once, SO
as to begin to influence the Legislature
before it assembled. He also desired me to furnish
him with general plan OF the campaign we were
to commence against the public the English bond
holders and the members of the Legislature, and to
ascertain the amount the Erie Company would have
to pay for the services which the HERALD would
render.
HOW ERIE ESTIMATES THE VALUE OF A NEWS
PAPER.
Upon this latter point wished him to give me
hint as to how he would prefer to pay.
"Give rs an estimate TO how much the editors
Will do The thing Tor a line. You had better pay
them In that way" said he.
''But suppose we give them q salary-put their
names on the pay rol' said desiring get at the
manner In which the road did things OF that de.
scripuon.
The Colonel played with knife and fork for
few moments, apparently in deep thought At last
ne replied
..No" said he, al don't think that VIII do. You
see II we pay them salary maybe they won't
trouble themselves about getting much in for US.
but II we pay them by the line, Why the more they
write the more they VIII make; consequently they
Will write as much as they can"
There was logic in this aud could not gainsay 1t.
Finally the Colonel left me to my cold chicken and
up my mind as to how was to get the article In but
was determined to accomplish my object In some
manner, for unless I managed 10 get the Colonei's
views III print he would think me unable to do any,
tn;ng toward accomplishing my object and wonld
therefore drop me before l could carry out my
scheme. At any rate l determined to draw the city
editor my plans II could get article printed
in other way; but at first resolved to try 10 per-
suade him to give the Erie people chance to put in
q defence before uncovered my plans.
THE SPY DIGS HIS FIRST PARALLEL AT THE HERALD
CITADEL.
Fortunately upon reaching the office l found the
city editor In the best Of humor. I at once COM
menced to plead for Erie told him that thought
the of1cials OF the road ought to have chance to
defend themselves against the accusations that had
been made by the English bondholders. l assured
him that would write an article that would eX-
press the views of the Erie managers fairly; for
having accidentally met Colonel Fisk during the
afternoon. who had impaired to me his views
could give the Erie officials side Of the
story Just as they saw 1t themselves.
80 strongly did l set forth these reasons
that he finally consented write article OF
about half column In length, bidding me not to
commit the paper but to express the sentiments as
those Of the Erie magnates and not as those OF the
paper. Accordingly set to WORK, and the result
was that on the oath Of December there appeared IN
the HERALD an article headed, "The Erie War-The
Erie Company's Side OF the Story"
1t contained the ideas given me by Colonel Fisk,
and were expressed as c0ncisey as possible.
THE SPY OPENS REGULAR SIEGE on THE CITADEL
NV scheme so far worked very nicely. l knew
I should be able to draw the Erie flies into
my net, for l had shown that was able to help
Them apparently and they would doubtless trust me
further. Accordingly, few DAYS alter the appear
made myself visible to the Vice President Of the
Erie Railroad Company. at the elegant offices in
Twenty-third street. My reception was very cordial
The Colonel smiled as ne shook hands with me,
and said that "that article was o damned good
one just what he wanted" ! replied that was
glad 1t had pleased him. He had o number OF
people waiting to see him on business, and took
chair beside bis desk, at his request until ne should
be at leisure. In short time he announced himself
ready to proceed to business.
"In the first place. said he, leaning on the wide
sill OF window that looked out into Eighth ave-
nue., "let US get at the cost OF this thing. How
much can you get the business done for line
both in the city department. and on the editorial
pager"
had, OF course, consulted no one In either OF
those departments That cond give no correct
estimate OF the 'cost OF the thing" However
concluded that one or two lies told In good q
cause would be forgiven. SO replied:-
~ think can get the articles In the city depart
ment done for So line, and articles on the edito-
rial page for ABOUT six dollars line."
'.That Is little Steep" replied the Colonel ''You
had better strike them for basis OF So so line in
the city department., and give the fellows In the
editorial department SIS a line. That will pay them
pretty well, think"
replied that would do the best could. This
fto
cunning foxes intended TO conduct the campaign.
supposed that they would want to "work" Albany in
some manner, so suggested that Albany be looked
after.
THE BOHEMIAN SPY TRIES TO MAKE A CAPTURE.
"Tnats good idea,n conceded the Colonel.
1--WE shall have to work Albany, but we nave not
yet made up our minds as to how we shall do 1t.
Do you know who are to 60 up as correspondents
for the HERALDr'
/ replied that I did not know whether they had
yet been positively appointed but l understood
that Messrs X. and M. were to be there during the
session.
"Do you know them9'' asked Mr.. Fisk.
ultimately" replied.
sued.
OF course, to carry out my scheme was obliged
to assure him that thought could.
"Well," he continued, after short elaboration,
1--WE shall probably want you to look after them for
u.s. put we will decide as to that when the Legisa-
ture meets. We NAV want you to 60 to Albany, and
we may not. At any rate we will decide on that
hereafter. You keep on working and do what you
can. Will give you check for the article that up
peared q day or two ago, and then you can see
what else can be DONE"
ERIE SUPPLIES THE FIRST ROUND OF AMMUNITION.
Upon concluding the above remarks MIR. Fisk
went to the desk OF his private secretary and In.
structed him to make out a voucher for $500. In
moment 1t was filed in and signed by Mr.. Fisk,
who handed 1t to me. saying,
"Take this down to Mr.. White and he will pay 1t.
Come again tomorrow and report progress"
Here / was bribed, as Mr.. Fisk thought, sure
enough. But I had TO accept the situation
for the present, and bide my time to clear
my conscience and show my true posi-
ton In the matter. So TOOK the
voucher and departed. 1t was simply made