The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-26
YORK HERALD MONDAY ls72-TRiPLE SHEET

NEW YO.
, srvcr 70 enecs the settlement OF bill due TO an
evening newspaper for advertising 1 was en-.
trusted with this duty for the that the DILL
| had been disputed by gentleman VINO mas charge
OF the ADVERTISING and as had procured the adver
tisement from Mr.. FISK IN person l was naturally
considered the most competent party to explain the
| terms under which 1t to be inserted. Upon my
arrival at the onices sent my name in to Mr.. Fisk,
| who Immediately granted me an audience.
After short explanation procured settlement of
| The Dill, and was about to depart when Mr.. Fisk
called me aside and, after a few preliminary
| marks, made me the following proposition, almost
In these words:-"wilcox," SAID ne, leaning MS
elbow on the wide window-sin and looking out into
Eighth avenue, .Wilcox. I'm afraid we going to
get into scrape with those Engishmen,
and l want you to help me ont. You see,
| the Legislature Is about to meet, and
| suppose they VIII DO all In their power
| 10 get the classification act repealed and
TO hoist us from our position. Now we don't pro-
pose to be put out IN that sort or way If we can
help It, ana one Of the first things we want to do
to control public opinion. Those Englisnmen have
given us damned sight Of trouble and VIII continue
to do so, suppose, till one or pother OF gets
licked. Now, as said before, we are going to head
them or If we can and TO turn the tables on them
and to show them up to be pack Of the damnedest
rascals that ever put mp a Job. But we have
got to control public opinion You have
been on the press In tins CITY long
time, and know the editors ana how to manage
them. Now, what would like you to do Is. to see
II yOu can't buy them up for us, TO stop their
bowling on the side OF the Engishmen and to howl
for u.s."
THE BOHEMIAN SEES GOLDEN VISION.
President took me by surprise. l hardly knew
whether to feel battered insued. said nothing
for few minutes. initiated Mr.. FisK's example
OF looking out into Eighth avenue. Everything was
lively there, but did not much OF what was 60
ing In the street, there was much going In my
head. l. however, thought rapidly, and concluded
to encourage the thing along for my repOrtorial ex
perience suggested that there was chance for an
immense sensation not far away; besides. who
knew but that should some day immortaiize my
| self by being the medium OF showing up some Of
| the garlng rascaties Of the Erie Ring. saw
Mr.. Goud's eye upon me also, and therefore con-
cluded that he too was party to the cunnlngy de-
vsed plan to get ahead Of those ''blarsted Brit
ishers" who were nghting for their rights, ana to
lead public opinion in favor OF the Erie Ring Hav.
| ing concluded to encourage the attempted con-
| spiracy turned to Mr.. Fisk and replied
| ~ am pretty wen acquainted with the employees
Of the HERALD; but with the editors Of the other
! city papers am not at all intimate. l could not
help you much on them"
WHAT THE PRINCE OF ERIE THOUGHT OF THE
"Wel," replied Fisk frightening up, apparently
pleased with the superstition that would enter into
| the conspiracy ITO help them out Of the scrape,"
''well, the HERALD would afford us about all the
| help we should need. The HERALD Is an immense
power. The fellows at Albany afraid OF 1t. and
II we can only manage to secure It's influence
side, why. damn 1t, all the other papers might howl
away as much as they liked Now You 60 to work and
see what you can do. We Will pay you well. II you
| want any help just let me know You may want
| Tom, Dick or Harry to use, and II you do you can
| have them. Go TO work at once and II you can do
anything let me know as soon as possible. and we
| will lay our plans You can telegraph me direct
| from 24l Broadway and despatch will reach me
| here, probably, as late four O'CLOCK. See the
| HERALD men and let me know how much we can
| buy them for"
Ihad by tins time concluded to act the part OF an
| apparent conspirator, and to enrol myself as q
| member OF the gang of Erie robbers. But wanted
4 larger field. l was, Of course greatly pleased
! that Mr.. Fisk's idea Of the HERALDs power coin.
| cided with my own, out II were TO go into the
business OF buying up newspapers wanted to
| make transactions by the wholesale. i knew II
| would take large amount 10 buy the HERALD, but
| 1 thought that while was about II, might as
well buy up all the other morning papers al
| once get through with my job nice,
| clean manner, pocket my commissions and buy a
few railroads myself. Accordingly urged upon
Mr. Fisk the necessity Of securing the other morn
| ing PAPERS
| THE PRINCE RRIE ENTERTAINs THE BOHEMIAN.
The Colonel offered me a cigar. never smoke
but 1t pr0f1ered so politely that had not the
could have the honor OF being profered real Par
taga by the great Erie magnate. So I took the
cigar and my leave at about the same moment.
! went out Of the Erie offices with a
| light heart Why should / have not? Had
| l not laid the foundation for an immense
sensation Pa sensation that, when published could
not fail to toter the evil power from throne and
| place in the hands OF It's owners property OF the
value of nearly a hundred millions OF dollars As
newspaper man l had reaped glory enough for
| one day: so went home. Once there I thought
long and deeply as to the course ought to pursue.
| / should have to work carefully, for the members
| OF the Erie Ring were as cunning as foxes and
would, doubtless watch me very closely. At any rate,
l would wait for day, as II "trying my hand" ana
| would then seek the Prince OF Erie again. Accord
ingly, the afternoon OF the day succeeding that
| on which had mad the interview with Mr.. Fisk
| went to the ONCE OF the Narragansett steamship
| Company. which connected directly by telegraph
with the Erie Offices, and asked the operator in
quire whether Mr.. Fisk was in. The reply came
| back that he was still at the ONCE. l then tele.
| graphed him the following despatch:-
"when and where can see you this evening on
| important busnessY'
In a few moments the operator handed in the
| following answer
'.Meet me at 3l3 West rwenty-thrd street at seven
O'Clock. J. F., Jr."
|
This despatch is still in my possession.
At six O'Clock I arrived at the Grand Central
Hotel, my place Of residence, and prepared 10 for
tify myself with hearty supper, preliminary &c
calling ON the Prince OF Erie at his residence IN
| Twenty third street. Upon entering the hotel wa:
met by messenger, who informed me THAT as Mr.
Fisk was to make a social call on friends at the
| rtxanr "a ha uoi,ld