New-York tribune., 1878-12-09
ACCOUNTS OF THE PACIFIC ROADS.
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS WRITTEN BY PRESIDENTS
OF THE ROADs-PRoTEsTs AGAINST THE LAW
But A COMPLIANCE TnEREWITH.

Of INK ROADS-BkOlESlS AuAANDA AN'-
But A COMPLIANCE THEREwITH.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRTBUNEl
WAsHINGTON Dec. S.-A correspondence between
Railroad Auditor French and Sidney Dillon, pTesl-
dent of the Union Pacific Railroad Company
shows that while that company is supplying
promptly and fully all information called for by the
Auditor it still holds that the law under which this
information is demanded is unconstitutional. The
following extract from Mr.. DllOn's letter will show
this:
In reply to the requisitOn that this company direct
It's officers to render TO the Department all information
ana repOr that 1t may require from time TO me ana
to submit its books and records to your lnspecuOh de
Congres upon which these acquisitions supposed TO
be based, violation Its chartered rights, YET uhuer
or the right objection 10 acquisitions in deta OF
I'm principle which may be made In assume conlOl mlts
thereto will nevertheless, upon each requlsluOh a.
occurs, furnish the IN OrmatOn desired as T as posnoo
Tie books and records Of the company VIII DE oien 70
tauon road without expense TO the Gnea states
to you or any person appointed IN Wrmg ny you ~ CA
am ne the same for the purposes OF tue act
Tue officers of the Central Pacific Company also
make strong protests against the enforcement OF
this law President Z. p. huntington in letter 10
Auditor French protests in the following language:
Referring to tnat portion of your letter relating oIne
HuInGIlsg u,l'GI so tbat yonr REQUESTS are
based upon the Act If June 10, 1873 putrOfuhg W
orso t5r aire OF Auditor of Railroad Accounts, etc,
and not the act May 7, Familiarity known as the Pa-
cifc Railroad Sinking FundAc" was aware that tW0
acts touching the Pacific Roads had been paeseu
dUrng the as session. and thai Senator Ihurman was
the putat. We parent Of both, as was also
that tbc.e constituted about only business, ana Occu
MED ms lime nearly the Whole Winter. Hence, When
desired ia letter 10 guard against aun OF
denying the authority OF either OF themt was sup OF he
pen rather than of the memory which made me say te
so-cle Thurman act Of 1873" should have used the
Pl9Tadl Ps4sd and ought 10 nave S"" '0 i"" man "''' "
TSe Act Of June 10 under which [ now understand
Won TO be acting was REGARDED at the moment OF l5
adoption (for It never received deberaVe atten,
on) as necessary sequel TO the prior Act" May and
sonnet ing intended Umake good It's Deficiencies 30 lar
both not the OutgrOWih OF an uOiuhle per
sona ambition and political vanity, they are the on
sIrng Of mistaken policy IN dealing VIII the
several Pacific Railroad Companies, into the
origin and history Of which IL Is needless
now 10 enter They may be looked upon as merely the
first Of a series OF supplementary ana pursuing acts
passed and be passed that policy Is 10 be adhered 70
lin the vain endevOr to compel this and other Pachc
railroad cOmpanics do that under cOmpuslOn which
they are ali um-s ready to do Whenever those VINO
for the time being represent the Government are wiling
that the rights equities OF both parties shall be re-
spected and taken into account In other words the
time and machinery OF the Congress II 10 be taken up In
tie exercise of sovereign power 10 meet IIe views OF
certain uraGmatc persOnages IN order 10 entc JUST
and equitable statement Of complicated business
matter which Court Of ChRncery or board OF arbl-
traion could satisfactorily dispose OF IN an afternoons
session, - ,1
The companies have preferred TO submit the differences
to 1mpsrtal arbitration anticipate the future liz
debteiness by payments fixed sums at stated times
in discharge and satisfaction Of all pending disputes