Year: 1871

He EndeavOrs TO Defend His Apostasy--IIis


Reasons are His Duty to the state and


His Love of Erie.


The following letter has just been issued by
Mr.. y. 8. Winans in defense of his recent action
in the New York Legislature:--


To the People OF the State OF New York = MY
actions within the past few days member of this
Legislature have been the occasion OF varied and
generous and damning character have been made
against Here, at the capital, where the different
phases Of this occurrence and the causes which pro-
duced the unfortunate block in this Legislature are
well understood, II Is not necessary to vndlcate
nrone% 10 brSpd me ss trstor ~ @ s sSea
corruptiOnist-in fact all the epithets that human
ingenuity can invent have been applied to me. The
New York Tribune and Times have been especially
eager to condemn me before knowing the facts. II
they will now, in common with other papers, lay be-
fore their readers the other side OF the question 1t
will be all that shall ask Of them,


The unfortunate occurrence of Friday evening,
I rsn 9 nd ID eVerv Ve
deeply the disgrace which had been inflicted upon
the dignity and proprietles Of the He1se An In,
at once upon its duties. Pending this Investigation,
many were the surmises as to what would be the
House, all business was suspended until the incom-
ing Of its report: Many Republicans said during
il the 'p Democratic party would expeI sNq' Mr.
irving they would stand In the breach
questions was enc OF those who made such ex-
pressions, and the only one who has had the manli
ness to keep his pledge. After Mr. Irving had ceased
to be member some OF the would-be leaders OF the
Republican party saw an opportunity for a profit
able venture, and, under the pretense and CRY OF
regaining party ascendancy, they at once held a
caucus. So hastily was this called that all the Re-
publicans were not cognizant Of it until it was
over. The next morning, think, some written
resolutions were handed to me at my desk to sign
and without reading them, as many often do when


That evening these resolutions OF a secret caucus
OF portion Of the Republican members were pub
break from such vassaage Il their names were not
ciaiy the last one containing threats and denounce-
ments, no power on earth would have made me
sign them. Although satisfied in my own mind,
from the anxiety OF few to control and arrange
matters, concluded to watch developments, and
satisfy myself whether all this parade was
fare Of tue Republican party, or for the
sinister purpose OF individuals. My obserya-
hws em BY nv aco Course ~ AM opSe Se
OF conference committees upon which certain men,
bers were to be appointed, who, after some trihng
amendments had been made, were to pronounce that
the denounced bills had been made satisfactory
and after pocketing the reward OF their cunning
blasted, and tha expectations by which few were
to make large sums OF money were cruelty dsap-
pointed. To accomplish this result would have been
sufficient reason for me to take the course did,
but there was another reason.


When the "Erie Classification" bill was pending
in the House many Republicans promised to go
against 1t and stand by the roda but when the test
came, all except one beside myself violated their
pledges and violated their express promises. The
Democrats, almost to a man, stood by the road
and, having been connected with the Erie Railroad
for twenty years. and spent the best portion OF my
life in its Service having always been on the most
friendly relations with its officers must acknow-
those who thus Stood by my road in an emergency.


My constituents elected me knowing full well my
Sy Il with Mm tha n9a @ aa TSe M
terests OF our whole Senatorial district are closely
allied with the prosperity and welfare OF the Erie


The present officers Of that road have been shame
fully vilifed and abused on the floor Of the House
during this session. but their brilliant management
by which the road has become In point OF equip
ment and convenience second to no railroad in the
gentlemen are nv friends, and when / prove false
TO my real friends "may my right hand forget its
cunning and my tongue cleave to the roof OF my


The New York Times has seen proper to connect
the name OF Senator Fenton with my action. But
to Senator Fenton by the most dastardly means
catching at every opportunity to njure his well-de
served fame, and widen the breach In the Republi
The Tribune, BY perslstenty advising ooltIni
throughout the State for the past two years. and thu
tween ,n what is called the "Fenton" and sConkiing
wings, have done more to disorganize. disrupt, dis
tract, and destroy the Republican party than an,


It is suficient, in this connection, for me to sa
months, mon and and that I have not communicated witt
him directly or indirectly on any subject before TIL
| Legislature -ta.a -st - ! -s. = n
| Because have been the means OF breaking u
| what believe to be combination and conspirac
| among few men in my own party to take advan
| tage OF constitutional difficulty In the way OF


legal majority for the purpose OF private gain an
set up for the finger OF scorn and am to be degrade
| II they can influence public opinion.


To the people OF this State solemnly declare tina
| my whole offense consists In unlocking the wheel
| Of legislation, allowing business to proceed, an
| saving the State hundreds OF thousands OF dollar
| by preventing the necessity OF an extra session.


Although those whose sinister schemes ! hay hay


tewarted attempt TO read me out OF the Republca


party, am still Republican, and have the prou


satisfaction OF knowing that have done the State


great service, rendered act OF justice TO th


Democratic party, and satisfied my own conscience


Those who accuse me OF bribery and corruption


this matter are base slanderers and liars and cha


lenge them to scrutiny Of my antecedents an


present position. The history OF my whole life Is


refutation of this charge and those who have know


me where i have lived win repel these base Il


situations.


With this statement / shall for the present re


my case with the people. ORANGE 3. WINANs.


Albany, April Is, 1871