The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-06
THE BATTLE OF ERIE.
Preparations for the Struggle Cheering Pros
poets Of Victory for the Right-A
Change Of Base on the Part of tho
Neutral Forces-The Political
Aspect Of the Contest

ALBANY, M0rcn 6-M10ntgnt
The long suspense Of the public concerning the
Erie Railroad question Will be partially relieved
morrow. the subject will then be out Of the hands
OF the committees Of both houses and called up for
consideration In the Senate and Assembly Cham
beers. In the Assembly 1t will be introduced
by the presentation OF reports from the Standing
Committee on Railroads, and In the Senate by a
resolution which Senator O'Brien intends to intro
duce, taxing 1t out OF the hands Of the Judiciary
COMMITTEE, eSi which Senator James Wood is
chairman, unless the committee should make
report before the days session closes. The Rail-
road Committee or the Assembly mad two meetings
to-day one this morning and another this evening
at which the subject was considered. desperate
and audacious effort was made this morning by
THE ERIE RING CONsP TRAITORS
to still further postpone legislation on the subject.
Soon after the committee had assembled propo-
sition was made to reopen the case for argument,
in order to permit Mr.. Lucius Robinson
to make last appeal IN favor OF the
present management Although the sentiment
OF the majority Of the committee when last can
vassed was understood to be favorable to the con-
spirators, the committee decided not to listen to
any further arguments even In favor Of the railroad
This action OF the committee, taken in connection
with other signs Of PROMISE Is interpreted as ndca
tive OF leaning towards the side of the injured stock
exciting its potent influence upon members. the
Erie people are marshalling all their forces and
using every artince to induce the majority OF the
committee to report o bill which, while 1t may
seem to cover the case, VIII yet leave untouched the
essential points, and retain in power the present
managers. Within the last few days the minds OF
certain members, known as friends OF Erie, have
been nclnlng rather toward the side Of the radical
reform which is so urgently demanded.
THE RING Is LOSING GROUND.
Members, knowing well and feeling forcibly the
fact that they vote to perpetuate the power OF tho
existing managers OF the railroad, no matter
from what motives, suspicion that they nave been
purchased suspicion so strong as to be akin to evil
dence, will cling closely to their legislative record.
1t is rumored that Mr.. G. W. L. Smith. Of
Washington county, and Mr.. Lewis, OF Delaware,
both OF whom voted at aformer executive session
Of the committee against interfering with Gould and
his associates now In favor OF the bill providing
for the repeal OF the classification act and OF
election for directors. II this rumor Is not ground
less the committee would stand
FIVE TO FOUR IN FAVOR OF THE BILL
drafted by Mr.. Soutnmayd, heretofore referred to as
the Attorney Generals bill, the same which was
presented by Mr.. Eastman In the Assembly and Mr.
O'Brien in the Senate The political or party SIDE of
the question mas forclby presented to members
and by politicians VINO look upon the success Of tie
republican party at the next general election as
paramount TO all other considerations. The fact
that this Is supposed to be preeminently a
reform Legislature, elected mainly upon the
issue Of the necessity OF putting an end to the cor
rupron that disgraced their more Immediate pre.
oecessors, and OF repeating some of their enact
ments, is held mp prominently before the present
members.
THE POLITICAL ASPECT OF THE CASE.
1t has also been pointed out to them that the
country Will hold the republican party responsible
If the Erie stockholders are denied the justice for
which they now appeal to their public repre-
senta,ives. The appalling picture OF a republican
defeat IN the State at The election and repub-
can defeat In the Presidential contest as the result
OF the action of few members or the Legislature.
has apparently stricken terror INTO the minds OF
well-meaning members.
The Railroad Committee held long session this
evening, at which those composing It again inter.
changed their views Mr.. White, of Kings county
Chairman OF the Committee; Mr.. WhitbecK, OF Now
York, and Mr.. Greenhalgh, OF Schenectady, are
unaterable in favor OF the popular bill repeal.
The other members OF the committee are Mr..
Smytn, OF Tloga, Mr.. Lewis, OF Delaware, Mr..
Burns. OF Onondaga, Mr.. Smith, Of WASH
ington, Mr.. Hill, OF Greene, and Mr. Chambers,
OF Erie. As already stated Mr.. Smith,
VINO is absent at present, and Mr.. Lewis have re-
Gently changed their sentiments 1t Is said tonight