New-York tribune., 1873-04-16
THE ERIE LEGAL EXPENSE ACCOUNT.
TESTIMONY OF HAMILTON HARIus-HOw S6s,0OO WAS
PUT WHERE 1T WOULD DO TIIE MOST GOOD
NONE OF III USED II LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS.

PUT WHERE 1T WOULD DO TIIR MOST GOOD
NONE OF 1T USED IN LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPArCHl
ALBANY. April 1j.-The Erie Investigation
Committee met the chamber Of the Court OF Appeals
at p.
Hamilton Harris called and sworn and exam
ined wv Mt. snckney. counsel for the Committee,
follows: see Dy the public journals It is stated re-
ceived from the Erie Company $4,000 IN 1863 $4,000 in
1867 and IN 1s7O $4,000 wish TO say that these sums
we're pad me for my services and 70 pay counsel had
engaged these al received FOR that purpose,
except that I paid portion for some Susquehanna
stock see II stated that certain counsel deny they
were employed by me- but they cannot deny they we're
employed by Mr. Gould personally, and that paid them
for their services cannot tell definitely how much the
amounts were that paid out; 1 have no accounts
which kept paid of the money To Cagger 5000,
think TO Judge Parker $1,000. these the full
amounts they payments on account; l re-
tanned them and paid them from time 70
time; all the expenses Of the susquehanna
litigation fees and sheriff. &C.; paid some $1,000
5000 the settlement OF suits brought against the Erie
Company did this in cases; these out
OF the Sos 600 received in 156s97O; had settlement
for one year; retainer OF $4,000 for year
dd business Tor the Company before the Legislature;
represented -he Company in the Casencaion matter
also in 1868 The Overissue OF bonds. and again in
concerning another 20 overiSsue;
was also thus employed in ls7o during all this time
employed various counsel; may have talked 20 Van
Veehten legislative matters but not IN the nature
OF a consultation; I never had talk with Barber;
have had no conversation with Gen Dve in two years.
I think; mad talk with him about money be-
ing paid TO anybody.
To Nj wight received more than the $4,000 alluded
TO- but cannot say how it was all used 20 pay
for my legal services for those OF other counsel and Tor
appearances before the Legislative Committee during
all my hve years connection with the Erie Company
never spoke to a member OF the Legislature concerning
legislative matters outside committeerOOmsi DO
not recOlleet seeing butcher since last Winter
To Mr. Babcock-I may have paid sums Of this
amount for election purposes 1863 and possibly 1862
but never be used in Senatorial other Legislative
elections il for general election; was at that
ime Chairman OF the Republican General Committee,
and Gould contributed election fund-about
s. OOO received about 5000 per year for own
vices all have received since 1870 has been for my
professional services; 1 have no knowledge OF money
being used 10 influence the Legislature Of It's being
used 70 elect Senators or others.
Mr Iirooln examined the witness, who reiterated his
statements.
To Mr. Carpenter-There were beside me acting as
counsel for the Erie Company Mr. Ca gger, and Judge
Parker as thought but he denies IT, and therefore he
must have acted for Mr.. Gould personally; acted be-
fore the legislature in matters in which the Erie Com
pauy was interested; cannot tell OF any one else
here in Albany Van Vechen did not act IN such capac
are: practice in the Courts IN this city and DISTRICT
don't reooect OF Van vechten ever appearing IN the
courts practitioner during the last four years in
ct any 9 Of Barber doing So don't know OF Tweed ap
pearlng practitioner IL any Of these suits, nor Mr.
To Mr. stickney-Tweed was a member OF the Senate
from 1865 1872 don't. know particularly how he acted
concerning Ere matters; in 1868 believe he was op-
posed 10 them after that think he acted favoraby in
then Gould made donations for the Republican ticket
on two occasions when elections were coming on; don't
know OF any professional services r8dered by Senator
r. Wood Oh any other member OF the Legislature; think
paid retaDers 10 counsel in bank bills, but have no
recollection Of particular cases.
10 Mr. Wight-My own services solely In appear
ing before the Legislature Committees and making up
pamphlet don't remember OF Van Vecbten or Barber
ever making amendments before a committee; know
Van Yechten has performed services for the Erie Com
pany; he has drawn bills, amendments, counter bills,
aud propositions; cannot now from recollection state
what bills, but know that bills drawn by him have been
submitted; have often seen HIM in conversation with
Could don't know OF any service Barber has performed
for the Erie Company.
To MT stickney-I understand that Barber is not a
lawyer understand what legal services be per
formed calling for pay TO the amount OF S4Oo or s6O0oo
TESTIMONY or j. " L. PRUrs
Thfs ended the examination OF Mr.. Harris and John
Y L. Pruyn was called he said:
lam Director OF the Erie Railway Company I voted
acainstthe dividend the common stock: otsected
TO II because dd not think the Board sufficiently
informed as TO the true amount Of the earnings.
Witness then stated his for hs votes He also
thought 1t mprndent he wanted the Company 70 wait
IN II became stronger; there great maiy oR>ec.
phant think objected rs ground that he did not
think tns equipment hac been Kept up the sum OF y
per paid for negotiating the bonds; that was
large percentage but impression wasdeang with the
firm Of RlschOnsheiu a Co. who took the contract. IL
very good under ordinary circumstances one
or two per cent ought TO De enough.
To Mr.. Lincon-the argument in The Board IN favor
OF divide nd that the English stockholders wanted
the amount earBed, whatever 10 was, dVided IN gem
era point Of was proper reimburse Bisch
osheim Co. for the expenses IN erectng the coup
eiG which out the Gould Dreciorsi that was not
legitimate charge upon the Company
IL
noon.
LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.