The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-08
THEY VIM DEMAND THE BRIDG r,
And That MAY inNoi,e the Erie Railroad in an
Erie HALLWAY Complication.

HARRISBrRG. Aug. TN 1871 the state Of
Pennsylvania, through its then Attorney.Gen.
eral, began proceedings against the Erie Rail.
way Company, citing that corporation 20 show
cause why its rights and privileges in the State
should not be declared forfeited. because OF
alleged default in its contract giving It en-
trance and right of way through the State.
The suit was begun on the complaint Of citizens
Of Pike county, and was based on the plea that
the railroad company had neglected to main
tain a bridge across the Delaware at Malta
noras. that county, In violation of the act Of the
Legislature OF ls4s. The building and main.
tanning such a bridge forever, and connecting,
by means of that bridge. the Erie track at Port
Jervis. y. y, with any railroad that might be
built up the Delaware Valley. were the condi.
tions demanded By that act in giving the Erie
entrance and right Of way for its railroad into
Pennsylvania.
The bridge had been built, but il was blown
down in 1870. The Erie Railway Company re
fused TO rebuild II on the ground that the com
pany had sold all It's right, title. and interest in
the bridges to the Lanontc Railroad and Mining
Company. This was found to be "a mythical
company, its charter having been Struggled
through the Legislature a few DAYS after the
Matanorps bridge was destroyed. Il was to
have this charter set aside. and the railroad
company compelled to replace the bridge or for.
- ~ " 80 '"''' 'h'' Nv sHiN was
brought against the Eric.
Pending the proceeding in court, the L.anon,e
rights and franchises It was alleged to have
purchased ~ the Fri" 10 a newly INCORPORATED
rpE riTitr rr STiGB B5,h '%%m sR Tork W anS pc obt%iRfn nj, a
TO build u bridge across the Delaware Il short
distance below the site Of the bridge in dispute.
on The undersStandsng that this company in
tended 10 fulfil the conditions impose! on the
Erie by the Legislature. the SPONSORS Of The suit
against the Erie Hallway Company withdrew
II. ana although the private bridge DmplnE
did not build u bridge according TO the Fries
contract with the state. a wagon and foot
hot renewed. and the rights of the Pennsyl.
vania in the matter have never been insisted on.
The main reason for this Is that in all these
years no railroad company has demanded Il
crossing OF the belnwarr river at Na.amuras
a bridge at that place. II is now highly prob
able. however. that IC. u demand viii be made
in the. near future hy.a railroad company re-
Gently Incorporated for the purpose of construct
ing a line, the survey for which has been made.
from a point n the i.chigh coal regions up The
Delaware Valley to NataGoras. TO connect with
the Erie Mt Port JorviS.
This complI.y is composed Of New York. Phil
aIe.g A!n. and EASTERN Pennsylvania capitalists.
and i arm OF Philadelphia lawyers has had -
representative in this city looking up he record
in relation 10, the Erie and the Eric.LAmontc
ton Of the Ia.nonte Railroad and Mining
Company. was e p~alrab!y fraudulent proceed
ing. as there j. no record Of who introduced
the bill in the Legislature or who voted for il.
ana tIat Consequently thcrc was no Legality III
the transfer tu il by the Erle Railway Company
Of IL rights and franchises in the Matanoras
bridge. aud that the Erie hallway Company is
thus -ti!! responsible tor the replacing Uf the
bridge and maintaining IL. under The penalty ut
losing is rlSht> ia Pennsylvania for refusal.
On The other hand. the lawyers declare. il the
transfer was legal. then il carried with il from
he Erie Company 10 the Lalnontr Company ali
former. which, in turn. became the burden Of tie
private bridge company TO which the lamontc
Company sold the Erie franchises. When the
70 rn.I -, fb. ttll. xp.r a / L, t. 80 H..
begun this fail. reaches Matumora-. the demand
will be made for the bridge across the Delaware
and the connection with the Fri. N Port JcrSis.
and refusal 10 provide j: Will he followed by a
reopening. and tcvlew by the Pcnnsylvani.
courts OF that questionable" legislation 10y which
the Eric Railway Company got rid Of its obliKa.
ton 10 the STATE nearly thirty years ago.