The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-03-05

u Ualneu mastery OF the road. The de
tails of this operation are beyond ou
limited space. They exhibited tn,
audacity of the one and the cOnsum
mate intrigue of the other. 1t re
J, CURED nearly year for this brace 0
knaves to manipulate the road to the
: shape they desired, but when this
was done their success was assured
Gould overlooked Fisk's debauchery
because he found him an efficient
tool. He required a reckless and un-
, scrupulous agent to bribe the judiciary
and to mingle with politicians whose
influence was highly important.
THE MAN AND THE PLACE.
Fisk was Just the man for this pur-
pose. He obtained control of Judge
Barnard through bribery, to which
were added the faacinations of Helen
MADsfield, and he also formed an
alliance with the ring through Tweed,
who was anxious for political support.
The latter also had additional induce
ments in the shape of railway stocks
and other valuable favors. Fisk in
carrying out his plans bought Pixies
opera house and removed the railway
Offices thither-a distance of mile,
and highly inconvenient to business.
Gould, however, made no objection,
since it did not interfere with his own
arrangements. The mutual system
until Stokes bullet sent Fisk to his
grave. The stockholders then organ
lied an effort for rescuing the road, in
which they succeeded. 1t is said that
Gould made 50, 000, 900 out of Erie, while
Fisk died insolvent. This illustrates
the difference between these two con-
federates. AS soon as Gould was thus
driven from power he began to attack
the road by selling the stock short,
and soon made this operation highly
profitable.
| BLACK FRIDAY.
This day of terror and destruction,
whose consequences are still felt in
our courts, originated with Gould and
Fisk. 1t broughtthem into entire an
tagonism with the brokers, many of
whom were ruined, while the vast
| business interests Of this city were
| paralyzed. The object may be briefly
stated. AS railway managers, it was
the interest of Gould and Fisk to adj
vance the price Of produce in New
York. This would naturally lead
western men to make shipments.
Produce, however, rose and fell with
the figures of the gold room. Hence
to advance the latter would also help
the former. To accomplish this end
the method of locking up grcenbaCks
was devised, and gold advanced to a
degree that seemed appalling. Mer-
chants who were obliged to pay duties
In coin were among the leading VIC
Tins, since the cost of their goods was
advanced to "a degree which prevented
sales except at loss. Jay Gould, like
most conquerors, il Indifferent to
the injury inflicted on others, his
object being simply his own aggran-
dizement, whatever be the consequen-
ces. He was sued for damages in |
breaking gold contract, but he con-
trived by some ingenious manner to |
escape.
SUBSEQUENT MATTERS.
Gould's operations in Erie gave him
an intimate knowledge of railroading,
and brought other lines under his OBJ
servation. The result was that when
driven from Erie he laid hold of
Cleveland and Pittsburg,, which was
then almost PROSTATE. He brought
this road into public notice, and by
introducing its advantages to active
investors, he cleared a million or more
In very quiet manner. The next
operation was Union Pacific, which he
purchased at 20, and ii has advanced
to more than 500 per share. He has
a million of this stock which he keeps
as permanent investment, since he
considered it one of the best proper
ties in the market. The Kansas and
Pacific road was selling at 4, its mott
gage bonds being then only 60, owing
to default in interest. Gould bought
up the stock and had it consolidated
with the Union Pacific, thus bringing
its quotation up to lbs. This was
surprise to Wall street, since few of
even the boldest operators had any
idea that 1t was practicable. Now
that il is accomplished all wonder at
that magical skill manifested in this
brilliant scheme.
OTHER OPERATIONS.
Gould's expansive view now includ-
cd other roads which no one else would
touch. Kansas and Texas was down
to s. He bought it up rapidly, and by
giving fresh energy to its management
he realized $50 per share. When he
started the American Union telegraph
he made war on the Western Union
by displacing il from the Union Pa
cific road. Western Union then de-
clined from ll6 to SS within 30 days,
and Gould, who had sold the stock
short lin view of this decline,) cleared
SS50,0O0 by bear movement. After
repeated threats Of telegraph war
Gould suddenly surprises the world by ,
a consolidation of the American Union :
and the Western Union, In which he
cleared $40, 100000. This consolidation
Is denounced by business men as a
Union was pledged TO Independent ser
vice. What, however, does Gould
care for pledges or good faith? His ,
efforts are centered on an object-self-
interest. Gould nov controls the
Wabash road, out of which he has
made a million or more, and to increase /
It's efficiency he has planned a road
IL with Buffalo. This
scheme will, no doubt, be eventually
He will not rest un-
til he .has a trunk line OF his own from
New York TO the Mississippi, and he
Is thus menacing the Erie, the Cen
tral Hudson and the Baltimore and
Ohio. As he already controls the Pa l
.ific Mail Company's line from japan
70 San Francisco, and the Union Pa h
,ific and Central Pacific roads, he has q
! breadth Of power beyond all esti-
mate.
ALLIANCE WITH THE PRESS
Such an operator cannot but feel the
Importance Of the press, and hence q '
arst-class Journal became one Of
3ould,s necessities, which, as usual, =
ras soon supplied. The advantage
which he derived from this assistance
was such that another daily was
ldded as soon ss the purchase could
be made Gonld nov owns two first
lass morning journals. which, antag-
mist In polifics, equally serve his !
purpose II q said that he wishes TO
increase his power I'm this direction, {
md hence the report that he bad pur- 4
shssed q controlling power In the Ek-
,ress. Gould however would not ac-
,epf secoBd-clsss paper, though II h
highly probable hat he may buy i
controlling interest In another morn Z
nr journal. His wealth n estimated 4
It -, ,ooo, 900. and hencs he can buy 8
that = for sale. His Interest l