The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-14

members OF the bar and personal friends OF the new
Secretary Of State, Mr.. Evsrts, congratulatng him
upon his appointment all withdrew and rdinary
business OF the Court was quietly resumed.
BEHIND THE SCENES.
HERALD reporter yesterday sought to ascertain
the reason for the sudden change OF programme
ON the part OF the avowed contestants of
Commodore vanderbiIts will-why, after en-
gaging eminent and expensive counsel and put
ting themselves in public attitude as contestants
OF a document that really gave each and all a compe
tence and independence. the dissatisfied heirs
should suddenly accept the will allow to 60
probate proceeding that led much speculation.
1t currently believed legal circles at the Court
House that some private arrangement have been
made by the principal legalec with tho cohtestiDg
heirs II was shrewdiy said that when they good
for believing that they had lair opportunity tor
increasing the benefits accruing under the
surs sSrosn any sa1 S sSsS contest nss
would lesson their lcgacies Acting on this hint, the
HERALD reporter made careful survey Of the situa-
and visited several friends OF the Vanderbilt fam.
lily Tor the purpose OF ascertaning II possible. what
arrangement had been made. Alter completing the
tour who were believed to be cognizant Of the
facts the writer last fortunate in lnding
gentleman who was partly willing to talk about the
will contest and the settlement OF the question
'swi you be good enough, sir, TO tell me what ar
raugement has been made 10 conciac the contestants
OF the vandcrbiis will"
show do you know that there has been any
"From common rumor, principally. OF course there
"Ah common rumor! Well, Nine. Rumor Is
the mark TIL. time But do not care to talk about
.We " said tho reporter, 81 have ascertained that
there was singular conference held by the opposing
counsel Yesterday It was held in Colonel wngase's
ION, no; il was At David Dudley Fields rooms"
"rhank you. So there was meeting. Now what
did all those lawyers wunt TO meet Tor n not TO settle
the terms Tor Withdrawing the contests"
"wel, sec you know some OF the facts. But DO
not care to go into the merits OF the II will all
tueR0 DAYS. / -
MY information about tho legal meeting 10 that
Judge Scott Lord, Mr. David Dudley Field, Mr. Ethan
Allen, Colonel Wingate, Judge Jeremiah Black and
Mr. Sutherland Tnney were all present. and that they
Anolly agreed on the terms upon which they would
advise their clients TO consent that the will admit
ted to probate l suppose that 1t must have been
money that was the inducement."
inducement that know OIL OF tho contestants
10 get something more than the legacIss specified
In the will That IL common sense"
show much do the contestants get addtional?n
can there you touch the germ OF your whole inquiry
How much do you think nows
1T is currently reported that Mr. William II. Van
derbilt has given the contestants the round oil
| ten millions out OF the many millions coming to hin
under his fathers will wonder how near the mark
| that is?'
"it's not quito much as that The figures are no,
exactly liked as vet, but ! understand that Mr. Cor.
| bly, . couple OF millions"
'Why, you talk, sir OF millions as though they
grains OF sand instead OF doiiars.'
s'Ha ha! yes But, you sec, these millions don't
belong TO you or me. u am friend OF the family"
''Well, presume II Mr.. Vanderbilt gets two millions
the other contestants will receive least million"
''Somewhe thereabouts. But you mustn't take me
for an authority. am not good on figures"
Lct see," said the reporter, rehecvely. "If the
principal contestant gets two millions and the others
million each, that makes only four millions IN ALL
from to be olerably well relied upon that tho
total was ten millions"
"Well to toll you the truth, l Understand that Mr.
WIN. H. Vanderbilt will pay out about millions t(
the other egatees and guess that Is about the
state Of the matter. man like him, having much
property his hands, docs have its value
impaired by u legal contest, and, you know, Of al
property railroad shares and bonds the most
sItive. He has done wise and generous thing
ana every friend of the family is not only
satisfied but really glad that the difficulty has beer
been thus amcably settled. There, you have made
talk more than wished. So you must really excuse
me saying any more.