New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-10
TRIED TO BUY EDITORIALS.
STOCK OFFERED AN ALBANY PAPER TO SUP
PORT THE NIAGARA WATER
POWER BILL
A STARTLING REVELATION OF A LOBBYING
scHEME-rRoM1NENT DEMOCRATS
CAN RISE AND EXPLAIN.
TsY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Albany, May o-Senator Raines, the fathc
Of the bill authorizing the Niagara Fall:
Electric and Hydraulic Power Company TO build q
tunnel through the State Park and beneath Mag
ara Falls has good reason 10 be surprised tonight
A few days ago he said that the opposition TO the
bill was based only on sentiment Mr.. Raines
will doubtless be surprised 10 learn that there
seems 20 be a good deal of " cold cash" supporting
the bill Cold CASH has sometimes at Albany
defeated sentiment Senator Raines is so hon.
orable man that, upon discovering that he is on
the side of cold cash." he will doubt leap ovcl
10 the side OF i" sentiment and make no further
effort 20 pass the bill Cold cash. was revealed
in singular manner, and in a way cXemplifying
the ways Of some lobbyists in Albany
Perhaps also, the incident gives clew to the
methods used to pass Mr., Greenes bill giving
some spectators o charter to build a railway
bridge across the Hudson River from Jersey City
10 New-York The fervent support given TO that
bill by many Assemblymen aroused suspicion
that they had been presented with stock of the
company. No other explanation would explain
their support OF a measure which wns dsapprOved
by the people, the press, the authorities and the
legislative representatives. Of New-Iork.
But to return TO Senator Raines's bill to tunnel
Niagara Falls. Tonight Thurlow' Weed Barnes,
the proprietor OF The Albany Evening Journal :
printed in his newspaper the following EDITORIAL
This morning At about half past 10 tall man with
white beard called at THE Jouna ONCE. and INTRODUCED
himself as Colonel Hamilton. lie inquired for the pro
pctor who met him back ofce, which was In con.
fusion owing repairs being carried on, and escorted
him to tho over tho mailing department. Soohei
Hamilton exceptions TO the editorial In the Journa
OF yesterday which reflected upon the Niagara Falls by
arauc electric scheme now PENDING In the Legislature
lie explained the plan at length. and slowed number of
good features In Il bus the proprietor dd not wax
enthusiastic over the matter the Colonel made propo-
sltlon lie said substance that the company wanted
the influence Of he Journal In OF tho bill and ug
eested that three editorials be written backing up
tho plan return for this It was hincd that good
remuneration would b. given. Tho proprietor did not
seem to understand. when the Colonel rose and coming
nearer remarked:
eve win give you 200 shares ot tho company, which
will be worth s2SOoO II the bill goes through
Then It was urged that the proprietor GO to the ho'"
and nx up with Senator Loren H. sessions ana
Congressman Wiley who I; was said, Were uE""i-2 IN
tercs,ed in the hydraulic electric scheme Tn" propric
IN, was too busy and begged 70 excused saying that he
would conslte- the matter
There has been Colonel Hamilton here from
Virginia, pressing Senator RalneSs bill The
corporation which is authorized to dig under the
Niagara Falls and Goat Island by the bill Is
Virginia one and 1t Is said its chief owners are
Calvin s. Brce the chairman OF the Executive
Committee Of the Democratic National Committee
and Ex-Governor llauscr, Of Montana. rs for
Congressman Wiley, trr Is a Democrat Just elected
from one OF the Buffalo districts. IL looks ~ II
Mr. Bricc interested him IN the scheme. Wiley
would have influence among the Democratic Sen
stors and ASsemblymen. WHO brought eA Se1Atef
Sessions here 20 advocate the bill has not Sot Dec
revealed IL il n be noted that Assemblyman
Nixon, of Chautauqua County, representa- the As
sembly district in which Mr. Sessions hives. Ii
is also 70 be noted that Mr., Nixon is chairman Of
the Committee ON Internal Affairs, which reported
fay orably bill precisely similar 10 that OF
Senator Raines.
AsSemblyman Sheehan said, when he had read
" The Evening Journal" editorial: A Colonel
Hamilton called me In Buffalo last week and
tried 10 induce me % vote for Rsiness bill.
When Mr.. Nixon reported the bin attempt WAS
made 20 rush il 10 a third reading but Obj jected
Perhaps that is the reason Hamilton called upon
me- lie wanted me to withdraw my objections,
but refused. The people Of Buffalo would like
o see some use made OF the great water power at
Niagara Falls, but doubt whether the rest OF
the State even 1or the sake OF having Buffalo
benefited, would be willing 10 have the Falls
spoiled.