The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-20
THE ST. ALBANS SUIT.
First Testimony in the Vermont Central Case
Examination OF the Treasurer and Superin-
tendent-Money Alleged to Have Been
Paid for Lobbying and Other
"Outside" Purposes

ST. ALBANs VT, March 10, 1873
The taking OF the testimony in the trial OF the
managers and trustees OF the Vermont Central and
Vermont and Canada Railroad companies was
commenced to-day, occupying seven hours.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD FUND.
Mr.. Samuel Williams, who was Treasurer Of the
road from 1856 1871 testified that one-quarter Of
the receipts OF the sleeping car fund went in pay
ment OF bills for what was called ''secret service"
and IN relation TO the charge OF expending money
for lobbying purposes in Congress he said:-I dis
bursed funds OF the road in connection with the
Northern Pacific Railroad; some Oft was delivered
to the Governor personally and some paid on
drafts he asked ne to take OF; think the
amount was some $4,000; part OF the time this
sum was held by me cash item, and shortly
before I left was charged out on the general
books; think the greater portion OF this fund
was carried along as cash item for years !
were kept by others; while l was carrying this
along IN this way, the Governor from time to time
per cent was paid him. Ne interest was charged
upon this Northern Pacific FUND.
CfOssexamined by Mr.. Fineld-I understood that
Mr.. putnam was dismissed by Governor smith.
and have always understood 1t was lsr getting
drunk.
OPERATIONS OF THE CAR COMPANY.
F. Stewart Stranahan testined-I am Secretary
and Treasurer of the National Car Company; the
original par value Of the stock was 500; the
age that has been paid in is SO; the div
idends since have been Secretary cave been ten
per cent per amman their par value; there
never was stock dividend; when went there the
company were getting two cents and hal mile
for box and two cents for platforms; they are
now paying tive cents; there are only five plat
form cars the rate for the cars when first put on
was three cents; the cost OF the cars was 900,
that OF ordinary cars, $3.50; the Passumpsic and
Connecticut River roads exchange cars on the
basis OF two and half cents per mile; some roads
exchange on the basis of tonnage-iour mills per
Inn fhn Nutin nal ~ q Q no ire
on these cars namely the roads on this line) it
Is usual to run the cars OF the car companies on
other roads at two and q half cents a mile; the
yearly income OF car Is $1GO; the cost Is SIS
car; the life of q car is about seven years,
the changeable gauge plan on the colored lines,
when the rate is one cent and half q mile, the
SUPERINTENDENT MERRILL ON THE COST OF OPERA
TON.
Giles Merrill testified:-lfave been Superintend-
ent OF the Vermont Central for fourteen years;
think 1t costs larger percentage to operate the
road now than IL did ten years ago; percentage
varies from seventy to eightyfve per cent OF the
am somewhat familiar with other New Eng
land roads; think from seventy to eighty per
free from taxation and some OF the other New
England roads are not; don't know about the pro-
portion Of the earnings paid as taxes; don't recol-
ect any payment OF $500 to A. Il. Foster In con-
nection with the Montreal and Vermont Junction
road but 50 much was paid to Clark and Smith as
q contribution, the only consideration being the
getting or the line.
TESTIMONY OF LANSING MILLS.
In the afternoon testimony was taken, with
view to showing the nature OF the National De-
spatch Company and Mr.. Lansing Mills, President
or that company, was examined, with view OF
obtaining information In tnat respect. This evil
dence wen. to show that the adjustable gauge
patent was failure, but that the car company had
proved q blessing to the vermont Central Rail
road. The Court granted an ORDER Tor inc prodlc.
inspection, when an adjournment was had till to-
morrow morning.