New-York tribune., 1873-03-12
THE AN1Mus OF THE ERIE INVESTIGATION.


CHARGES AND COUNTER CHARGES CONCERNING
THE LOBBY-TWO SPECIAL INVESTIGATING
COMMITTEES NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ACCUSA-
TIONs OF CORRUPTION.
Albany March 1.-The discussion of the bill ex-
empting bonds and mortgages from taxation was
further postponed from tonight until thursday
night the whole session of the Assembly being taken
up with a series of ordinations and reorminauohs
touching the influence of the lobby The reason Oh
this unexpected turn was motion to release Ihe
Railroad Committee from the labor of investigating
the alleged improper use of money by the present
management of the Erie Railway, and to assign that
duty 10 a special Committee. The movement 10
effect this was well organized and on call OF the
Yeas and Nays the motion to reconsider the vote oil
last night was carried by vote of 62 to A. The
talking and voting were both sgnhcantln more re-
spects than one. Mr. Person of Albany Chairman OF
the Assembly Committee on Cities. managing
director of the Central Railroad. member OF
the Railroad Committee, and leader Of the Republi-
can side vehemently opposed the appointment of a
special committee He characterized the resolutions
as representing the wishes of the lobby, and said
that rs soon as the House adjourned last night the
LOBBYISTS fOeked down the main aisle to the Clerks
desk to examine the lists of the vote on the question
of reference TO the Railroad Committee. He Inti-
mated that the character of the Assembly was COM
promised already, and if such movements as that
made to- night were 10 succeed the reputation OF the
Legislature for honesty, would soon be minus
quantity"
Mr.. Crawford also took the ground that the dlspo-
siton which was made of the matter last night was
a triumph of the House over the lobby.
Mr Hustled said ne had been told by Geo. o. Jones
that the preamble and resolutions voted down last
night. and reconsdered and adopted tonight. were
.Jones's resolutions and that the same gentleman
had been trying for three years to get an investga
ton of the management of the Western Union Tel
egraph Company Mr. Hustled opposed special IN
vestigating committees, because nothing became
visible to the public of their investigation.
Mr. Voorhis of Rocbland. in a substitute which he
sent to the Clerks desk imputed the wOrs motives
20 the persons who seeking the investigation.
On the other side lumbey Of members resented the
very serious tmputations conveyed IN the speech OF
MIR. PiersOn.
Nh Lincoln Of Ontario dealt a severe blow at
Pierson by stating to the House that on inquiry at
the Clerk desk he had ascertained that only three
copies of the tally had been prepared there and the
very first one was furnished 10 Mr.. PiersOn himself
the second going to Mr.. Baboock. and the third
to Mr. Jones Mr.. Beebe boldly expressed bis
opinion that person representing, as Mr.. Plerson
did a great rival line not the proper person to
direct the INQUIRY. Mr.. Pierson, in concluding the
discussion took much lower ground than IN hls
opening remarks. The result Of the action OF the
Assembly is that two special investigating Com
lttees one of the Senate and the other OF the AS
sembly ara authorized to find out as much as they
can about Erie. 1t IS stated here as positive iact
that the sum Of $4,000 was appropriated about
year ago at q meeting of the Board OF Directors
presided by Gen Dix. TO pay for legislation at Al
bany and the minutes OF the Board Will suDstantlate
this statement It is also stated that this money was
used 10 influence the of number of Senators on
tne Senator Johnson Pro Rata Freight bill whether
tins be 3d. or whether it DE proved II 1t be 80 IL re-
mains for these investigating Committees to nnd out
Certain it is that minority Of the Senate rom oeing
avoraby disposed toward Senator JOhnsons bill turned
against II and killed 1t.
GENERAL PRRss DISPATCHl
ALBANY, March 1.-In the Assembly TINS
evening Mr.. Babcock moved reconsideration OF the
vote adopting the resolution offered by him concerning
the management of the Erie Railroad COmpanys affairs
and ordering an investigation Of them he said that
several members had requested him to make this notion
in order that motion might be made 10 nave the III
vestgation made by a select committee he dld not
think such change would be any reflection on the Ra
road Committee For himself he had the highest respect
for that Committee but he believed and others believed
they had sufficient attend 70 without taking this ques
tiOn up.
Mr. Pierson said In all his legislative experience he
had never known any satisfactory result 10 follow inyes
tigations by select committees and he had known
them TO be surrounded by grave supcOns of not having
done their duty fully He also opposed TO the ap
Of a select committee at this stage Of the ses
SION de moved TO lay the motion on the table.
Mr Vedder thought that select committees we're as
capable Of discharng these duties as standing com
mittee BE also had high respect for the Railroad
Committee but he thought it had as much TO DO Us IL
could attend 70.
The motion 20 lay on the table was negatved.
The debate was continued by Messrs. Crawford West
Lincoln Coggeshal Clarke Heacock, Fort Beebe, Worth
Pierson Voorhis and others, when the question on re
considering taken and resulted IN the affirmative,
a. follows