Year: 1871

The Erie Suits In tho Federal Courts.


There is still balm in Gilead for Heath and
Raphael The contempt case In which Jay
Gould, claimant of thirty thousand shares of
Erie stock-the property, as counter claimed,
OF Heath and Raphael, English stockholders
argued on Tuesday last before Judge Blatch-
ford, In the United States Circuit Court, was
decided yesterday by a determination on the
part of the Court to issue an order for the ar
rest of the recalcitrant Gould. The original
demand, and on which the suit before the
Master in Equity is based, is for sixty thousand
and fifty-four shares Of Erie stock. The
sudden disappearance of these shares, and the
positive refusal of the Erie directors to
account for them on their book returns
or otherwise, instigated the litigation which
has been going on in the United States
courts for several weeks. A clear statement
of all the points In the case, what Heath and
Raphael claim and the ground on which their
claims are resisted on the part of the Erie
Company, was given in HERALD editorial
some days ago, in addition to the evidence
reported on each day Of the examination.
After most exhaustive process Of questioning
and cross-questioning on the part Of counsel,
and Of unblushing prevarication and evasion on
the part of the principal witness, Jay Gould, a
deadlock was reached, and the Master foiled-
his orders being contemned and resisted at
every point-was compelled to appeal to the
Court. Counsel brought up the question on
motion that an attachment be issued for the
arrest Of Gould for contempt of the Masters
order and his detention until such
time as he shall produce In court the
books which, it is supposed, will give some
light as to the disposition of the missing stock
and in what way new issue of stock to cover
deficiencies was manipulated. After hearing
counsel at great length on all the questions in
volved 1t was yesterday ascertained that
Judge Blatchford will this morning issue an
order of attachment for the arrest of Mr..
Gould. Whether this course will have the
effect of bringing matters to satisfactory
finale to the English stockholders remains to
be seen. 1t Is, however, certain that crisis
in the case will be reached in day or two.





Construction.


Although the survey of the Napipi route for
the ship canal across the Isthmus of Darien
has not resulted az favorably as it was hoped
1t would, still we have no doubt that ulti-
mately practicable route will be found.
Even the one which has just been surveyed,
and the summit determined to be six hundred
and twelve feet high, may yet be used by
means Of locks. The Tuyra route, which has
still to be explored, may turn out the best and
afford all the facilities for rapid and economi-
cal construction. Notwithstanding the many
difficulties that have been encountered by the
different exploring expeditions sent to the
isthmus, and the natural impediments in the
way of carrying out the enterprise, we
yet have every confidence that the
canal will be made. For long time
it was thought impossible to build the
Panama Railroad; but energy, perseverance
and money overcame every obstacle, and it
was completed. So it will be with the ship
canal if not made at one point Of the isthmus
it will be at another, but it must and will be
! constructed, sooner or later. The special teie-
| gram from the HERALD correspondent with
the surveying expedition informs US that Com
mander Selfridge pronounces his exploration
a success, and suggests series of locks on
either side and a tunnel through the summit
in order to make the canal all that will be
required. Before believing this immense work
necessary we await further information re-
specting the width of this summit. 1t may be
only narrow ridge, descending rapidly on
either side, and if this is the case the difficulty
to be overcome will not be as great as we are
at present led to suppose. 1t will not do to
| say that it cannot be done. Americans believe
in no such assertion. They will not let the
matter rest until ships are passing from the
| Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.


The Coal Troublcs-Almost tho End.
The coal troubles have substantially ended,
| the Wilkesbarre men having already returned
to work on the old basis, and the Pottsville
IAN having aiUnifsad thoir urilI,n oou fo oh;d