Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-06-01
BUYING A LEGISLATURE.
HOW GOULD TOOK A TRUNK-rULL OF
MONEY 40 ALBANY IN lS67-6S

TO the surface many incidents in his re-
marks BILE career, which serve to illustrate
the widespread corruption that prevailed
at that time in our local and State politics.
Comparatively few, however, are really
aware of tho interior workings of the pol
iucal rings and cabas at Albany in those
days, nor of the ease with which Senators
and Assemblymer alike could 6e brought
to support any measure, 80 long as it put
money in their purse. The incidents
arose out ofthe great railroad fight be-
tween Vanderbilt and Jay Gould. The
Commodore was buying Erie in all di-
rections, and Gould watsred the stock,
letting Vanderbilt have all no wanted
Soon the Commodore found himself load
ed, some thirty ufftlions of stock having
been issued. He then enjoined futher
issue, and the war wsged hot for awhile.
Vanderbilt then proceeded to ADbany
with the intention Of declaring the Erie
stock illegal, and he accordingly secured
Tweed as the king OF his lobby, Tweed
proceeded easily in his work and soon got
a committee report agans. the Erie in
terert, Vanderbilt's money having been
used freely among the members.
GOULD ON THE TRACK.
Gould at this time was in Jersey City,
n wsrran. being out in New York city for
his arrest. He gave out report that he
was going to Ohio on a weeks trip, and
the same night he took the train for Al
bany. lIo WAS thoroughly aware of the
condition OF affairs. and did not go un-
prepared. lie left Jersey city at 9:30 p,
NJ, arriving in Albany by daylight HI
took with him a trunk full of bank bills
about $4,000 The bills we're of large
denomination. He knew that Wander
bill must have been scattering his money
literally, and he decided to "see him and
go one better"
On arriving, he hired hack, and, with
his .runk drove to the Delavan, whero y
room WAS already prepared for his uso.
No time was TO be lost. for the other party
had matters so we'll matured that they
expected every day to push tho bill
through. Gould soon had u few friends
in his room, and was busy arranging to
carry out his plans. when n gentleman
entered, and said exctedly, "Mr. Gould,
Sheriff OF Brien is here, with that warrant,
and is hunting you up" O'Brien had
heard of Gould's move, and had followed
him from New York.
Jay's eyes twnkled morrily. with n
sparkle of mischief in them. He wrote a
no:e rapidly, closed It, and sent it by n
servant to DR.. Swinburno, a well known
Albany practitioner, and within fifteen
minutes the latter was announced by tho
waiter.
"Show him in" said Gould, "and shut
the door. Let no one olss como in"
The Doctor entered. doctor" said
Gould, with the utmost coolness, II want
you 10 sit down and writo certificate TO
tho effect that am dangerously i'll, and
that any attempt to remove me might
result fatally. Do you understand, I'm
too sick TO be arrested or moved out OF
my room-
"Bu:. my dear sir" interposed the
physician
"And here is fee for your trouble
continued Jay, not needing tho interrup-
tiop. He rose as hs spoke, and opening
the trunk, ha took out ten crisp 81 ,0OO
bank bills. which he deposited on the ia
be before the astonished physician, push
ing the writing material toward him at
the same time.
DR.. Swinburne's oyes stood out like
saucors. TO say he was astonishod would
but family express his feelings. The idea
OF receiving
$4,000 FEE
For simply writing . certificate OF sick
ness was something that never could
have entered his widest imagination. lie
seized the pen. and presto! it was done in
few minutes.
He pocketed his fee, rose, and bowling
waited for the other to speak.
Jay ran his eye over tho paper, smiled
ss he did SO. He then handed it TO the
Doctor.
Nov, 70 and show that to O'Brien. g..
Tell him of my condition, and see that he
is satisfied
Doctor Swilburne left, closing the door
behind him. He quickly found the Sher-
if, and at once told him Of Mr.. Gould's
sickness, adding: II consider that it
would imperi bis life to move him at
present. you arrest him, Sheriff, he
will certainly die on your hands" He
then exhibited the certificate which o.
Bren took, and the latter shortly after.
ward left for New York, but not before
Gould found An opportunity TO send him
"A present Of $4,000. The certificate of
sickness and necessary afiidsvits were
acce pted as a sufficient excuse for his
failure 10 make tho arrest.
Gould was now free to act. He sent for
Senator Mike Norton and opened business
with him without much preface.
"Mr. Norton, understand you intend
voting against tho bill making the Erie
stock issue legai7"
II do" responded the Senator from tho
Fifth.
Now. to be plain, how much Is it to be
worth ~ your"
Mike shifted business in Gould's tone.
"Well, :" he hesitated, Il don't ersctly"-
"This IL . buSinsss matter with me,