The New York Herald Newspaper, March 13, 1872, Page 3

HOCONSTRUCTED ERIE. Finale of the Farce at the Grand Opera House. WERIE MORT! VIVE L’ERIE! Jay Gould Resigned to His 5 Fate. HE QUIETLY ABDICATES. fhe Old Board in Session—The Work of Mon- day Repeated—Election of Offi- cers and Committees, OPENING SESSION OF THE NEW BOARD, The Twenty-two Million Convertible Bond Resolution Rescinded. TRANSFER BOOKS TO BE CLOSED. Peaceful Withdrawal of Lynch’s Legions. Effect of the News on Wall Street. ‘The Stock Very Slightly Affected by the d’Etat—What Fisk Would ve Done Were He Alive. ORDER REIGNS IN ERIE. What Tweed Thinks of the Situation. ‘Th New Directors to Prefer Charges Against Police Commissioner Smith. ERIN IN THE LEGISLATURE. ‘When Mr. Jay Gould arose yesterday morning from als very hard couch in the Erie office and the HERALD Rewspaper was handed him, in which he was in- formed that the “Erie Ring” had gone the way of all things human, he was loth to believe the trutn. ‘That one day, a day of twenty-four hours, could Ihave deprived him of all his vaunted power was a matter which he could not understand, GRIEF OF THE OLD DIRECTORS. A select few of the Erle Ring directors, Henry Sherwood and Dr. Eldridge, came in early to Jay Goula’s apartment to console him, to mourn with him and to renew their promises of fealty. But with all this condolence oppression hung heavy on the soul of day Gould. He was not at all like the man he used tobe. Every now and then he would rise from his seat, walk nervously around the room and slap bis hand against his forehead. THE SCALPED WARRIOR. Gould is a man put together very slightly, of pout one hundred and twelve pounas weight, ‘wearing @ heavy black whisker and of very small frame. He has quick dark eyes and a hysterical galt, APTER THE BATTLE. Alter the battle of Monday and Monday evening ‘there was a lull in the storm, and up to three o'clock yesterday morning everything was quigt in the Grand Opera House. “LYNCH’S INFANTRY.” Tommy Lynch's brigade of roughs, to the num- ber of 119 men, were playing “forty-fives,” “seven up.” and drinking bad whiskey. “BUFFALO BILL.!? Late in the morning one of the ‘“‘Lynch Brigade” brougnt in a picture of ‘Buffalo Bill,” the celebratea trapper, and a general discussion was had among these gentlemen as tothe merits of the Western bonter as a fighter. “THESE ARE HARD CASES,” ‘These member of the “Lynch Brigade” have very strange names, and their conversation 1s as strange as their names, One of these persons, who had but One ear and had lost a piece of his nose in a little scrimmage while he was a member of “34 Engine,” gnswers to the name of “Sleepy Bill.” “Sleepy Bul” said that he thought that “Buffalo Bill” was {20 good,” and that he could not fight a bit because ‘6 Was too tall, THE “ICE MAN.” ‘Then “Ted, the Ice Man,” thought that “Sleepy Bai" was wrong, and that the nunter had taken Many scalps and was a brave hunter. Then ‘the gonversation pecame general, It was now thrée o'clock Tuesday morning, and tittle Mr. Shearman, who had teen planning and plotting ‘with Gould in his room during the entire evening, Proposed that a sortie should be made on the offices eccupied by the new board of direction, IN THE PRESIDENTS OFFICE, ‘The place which Mr. Shearman wished Mr. Goula tocapture was tie room of the President of the Erie Railroad, which had been up to this time a de- batable ground. Gould was afraid to move in the matter, but Shearman urged him to doit on the plea that “possession was nine points of the law.” ‘ GOULD baeig 3 AND LOST, ~ Gould consented, and Toilidy Lyfich was called in to see What Could be done. To hold the Presl- Gent's room it would be necessary to bolt, lock or mail up the doors co.necting with the room which ‘was formerly occupied by Colonel Fisk, GET A BLACKSMITH, | General Lynch soon suggested a remedy, “Why, YM send one of the gang after a blacksmith, and he'll be here before you can say your prayers, Mr. Gould,” said he to the ex-President of the Brie Road. “What can be done, then?” said Mr, Gould, in that innocent manner of his. “THE FREB ACADEMY BOYS.”’ “Why,’’ said General Lynch, who acknowledges to having been educated at the Free Academy in his early youth, “we'll get some of our Free Academy boys and go through that door like a dose of salts, Then when we get in we can easily enough put @ ‘asp on the door, and then what can the Dix gang a0, I'd like to know 7" THE ROUGHS—READY FOR FIGHT. The advice of the commander of the “Lynch Brigade” was taken, aud when every one was asleep Outside of the Erie Bullding a sortie of the Toughs was made on the defenceless room belong- ing to te President of the Erie Road, They all Bled through into tne office, and by this time the Deputy Marshals of the United Staves force in the ‘Dallding came rushing from the directors’ room, <*\ta which they were lounging, imagining that an @mmavlt was going to be made upon them IN THE NAMB OF TAR UNITED STATES. ‘The marshais endeavored to fasten the doors on the outside of the President’s room, while the Feughs on the inside, led on py Tommy Lynch and Ee rer er be fasten the door on the inside, oid ingrim’s injunctions them,” said Tommy Lynch to hia pone “ree sayaters apd gin ugtll next Chyigimas,”’ he added. a9 NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1872.-TRIPLE SHEET ‘Ge wurry Discksmitn Mxed the hoop to the door handle. “CRANKY JIM.” “That's right, give them send otf,” screamed “Cranky Jim’! and “Smallpox Jake,” On the outside the United States Marshals had succeeded in fastening the handles of the sliding doors with ® thick cord eight or ten times repeated, over which they fastened a japan-tinned piece. ‘The Joke was that on one side the Dix party wished to Soma aad tt ae poses vei on the oher while, on ol hand, the roughs wished to see the Presiaent’s room and instal their bandit chief im the chair—after which they intended to hold the room and keep it for further use. There Was a.great huriy-burly for awhile, ana the chief oficers and ushers and clerks, who, it 18 said, expect to be di in a few days (one of tic new directors having so stated it yesterday), did not kuow what to do or say. “THE FANCY CLERKS.” Some of these gentlemen have been wearing Velvet coats, alamond pins, and have kept their os. &c,, the tunds ha’ been supplied out of the “Erie Contingent Fund.’ “UNDER WHICH KING?” ‘These gentlemen were nearly crazy, ag they ald not know which way to turn, three-fourths of nem having offered their services to both parties during the twenty-four hours precealug, Their secret inclination was with Gould, as they had pro- fited in the past by his administration; and ‘the notice wrich was secretly shown them during the night to the effect that Gould would resume com- maud in the morning bad inspired conddence in their souis, and they were ready to follow the Ring as lar as thelr safety would answer. 10 DLAMONDS,’? In future, if is said that no clerk will be allowed to wear a velvet coat or diamonds while employed in the Erie ad office, no matter how high his yay After the seizure of the President's office by Tom- my Lyncb’s roughs, Gould occupied tue apartment upul ten o'clock yesterdoy morning, making Ire- quent skirmishes ‘to and fro with ols henchutan, bhearmian, who seemed to have lost all bis sarcastic self-possession and sangyroid, ‘There was 10 ex- citement whatever in or outside of the building With tnis exception. DURING THE FORENOON the situation remained unchanged. ‘Tommy Lynch, with his “students,” held jon Oo: the rooms on toe southerly side of the grand hallway, and, in- deed, also of the stairway leading from the Twen- ly-third street entrance. It was, indeed, a curious Sight that presented itself to the visitor entering tue building at this ume, The “boys,” not quite aroused from their bivouac of the night, Were scatiered around, leaning against door posts and sasiics iu most picturesque positions. One young man particularly interesting jammed himself between a door post and an entangled pillar, and by those was so firmly braced tnat he could sleep standing. fis pantaloons were considerably too short, his shirt was of no decided hue, his hair un- kempt, and his coat and hat of a dirty, shaggy bro! ir. Lynoh said he was a ‘candidate for a ans position.” ‘eiaceal ‘Brakenian on what?” was mnocently ple’s noses, if they aln’s caretul,’’ was the “on reply. The chap’s looks do not belie the statement that be would do any amount of “breaking” that might prove safe and profitable to him. ym tie easterly side Of tue grand hallway are the police officers, looking tired aud sleepy, eviaently not inclined for any tussle with the desperate gi standing yis-d-vis +s them, and wishing. n doubt, for thett regiiar tours oF auty of some other work that had ‘‘sometning iu 1t.’’ In the ante- room, betweea the haliway and the officers’ rooms, Captain Petty reclined witb his feet on a. desk in a semi-somnolent. state, wanting, no doubt, to go Nome and wishing the grand farce was ended. The corridor above the grand hallway was well crowded with Erie employés, rouzhs and policemen, all awaiting some development, 1t seemed strange, indeed, that this crowd of roughs should stay there in those magniticently appointed rooms, lounging, eating, swearing, playing cards and carousing gen- erally, laughing at the police, and no etfort be made to turn them out, 1t was, indeed, a pecultar posi- Won; but Superintendent Kelso had given orders to the police on guard that the peace was to be pre- served; that NO ORDERS WERB TO BE REUEIVED from any person except trough him as Supertn- tendent, and that shouid any breach of the peace bo attempted vhey were to suppress it at all hazards, Commander Lynch, on his side, was exceedingly Precautious. He had watched his men ali night, prevented them getting too much to drink, and im- pressed on them the fact that they were merely in the employ of Jay Gould, and must not attempt to do damuge of any kind and avoid cause for coufict lice. ‘The presantion was @ 00d one, for “tommy” had on his pay roll 119 “young genue- men” wio would as readily fight as eat, and would fight @ police officer ‘with exceeding gusto, “Tommy” had not slept ali night, and with his lieutenant remained on post watching the progress of events with a keen eye andaquietsmile. in an interview With @ HERALD reporter the Lieutenant remarked:—“‘Well, now, these are all rt men; they travels in good society, they’re lawyers, men ol experience and all that, but I’m coming to tnink they don’t know a hell of a sight more than ourselves, Dye think if I wanted a job o’ this kind done I wouldn't have it? Vda the best, advice in the country, and 1’ stick to it, and any gang that went agin me I'd fire them out o’ the win- dow. Ob, be fee !T wouldn’t have no fooiin’ about it. What the hell do we care who owns this thing? If they'll talk business and send the ante up so that some of the young fellows kin tuduige in a pair o’ pumps or @ shiny tile we coula sind the old thing rignt along for'them,”’ “why, you do say they are not smart?”” “ Weil, now see, tuey made @ high old time getting possession of those rooms, Well, we gave ’em & little stand-off on that, but we got hold o’ the room that controiled the road. Oh, be jee !we had it, We gev the wires a little gold stu and all the agents along the line sinds their answers bouucin’ in Gould right up. Why, of course, they qidn’t get nothing else, and we just kept that corner o’ the building, and we got it yet, and none 0’ this new gang can get to 1 unless we let em through, you see,’? Here he ee to the room usually occupied by the supply department, which 1s the furthest of the suite of five or 61x rooms connecting with the President’s room on the south side of tne building, all of which rooms, except the Wresiden(s room, were occupied by the uehers. In the Presi- dent’s room, 1t was reported, Jay Gould sat closeted with his counsel all tho morning, As one part of the manguvre, after the telegraph wires nad been captured, the following order was transmitted to all sections of the road and copies posted in different parts of the Erle building:— Suz RAILWway Orrior, Connee EreuTn AV. AND Twaerutan ef are! ‘The un still retains bis position as ike only inw- ft? ing of company, and is now at his post directing its The clerks ang employes are hereby directed to receive in- structions ony from me, or those persons acting under my written authority of this date, and are strictly forbidden to interfere with any of the business or property of the irie Rallway Company under any authority oF direction than mine. JAY GOULD, President, ‘These were scanned from time to time by parties from both sides, and when about eleven o'clock the police, by direction of Mr. Archer, tore down the notices, Some of “young fellows” gazed as if they only wanted the word to put a stop to the DESTRUCTION OF MR. GOULD'S PROPERTY, and they would “remonstrate” with the police. Captain Petty, however, si the doorway lead. ng to she Yice rreside: t's room and gloweéréd, an nspectoY Jaméson Wal op and down, stroking his nowing and glossy beard in @ most deliciously cool style, so the ‘boys’ only looked on, then turned t ward Lynch, and ata wink or nod from nim they quietly withdrew. In the Vice Presidenv’'s room the scene Was diferent, but fully a8 pecuilar as that in the outer hail. Opposite the door and be- hind the vice-regal desk @ life-sized crayon eer Gould stared from its walnut frame at all imtruders, the calculating, sinister expression on his sharp Uttle features Balntaily evident. Near the door, bein A oom, desk, sat Dr. Pollard, wiio iy the sherry dnd ginger for Jim formerly mix Le dr. beaming With good nature, founded, no doubt, on an easy Consclence, gazing at each person ag he entered the room and telling the police officer whether he (the visitor) was “all right’ or not, Shearman, the wiry little counselior, moved about among tie crowds of reporters and others like an uncas} ‘Cf while Major Hitchcock gat at one side in most Impérvurbable dignity, drawing the waxed ends of his nustacge # FisKianic length. Scat. tered on the desks la this room were MINIATURB ena ft of solid bronze, used for paver Welghta, but serving, perbaps, PR a eae y reraee or or recent tran: red in very r001 fa TR ee doom to the north were extra Honters of the press and some of tne eieganliy dressed and bejewelled clerks and attachés of the Jate dynasty, and scattered on the desks here were miniature cows looking very dry and calves covered with gilt, In the directors’ room there was an air of hurry and contusion, The Fi carpets were covered with scraps of paper and remnants and re- fuse of various kinds. At one side of the Directors’ tabie sat Messrs. Porter, Thompson, McFarland and another of the counsel employed by the new Board, On a desk or etagere at one side stood two busis of Fisk—one all drab and the other all gili—trom the former of Which some irreverent relic hunter had broken the sembiance of one of those elegant mus- vache tips, THE NEW DIRECTORS were early on hand. Mr. Stebbins stood at the head of the room and was consulted by each of we others from time to time on matters of ali sorts, General McCiellan moved about quietiy and solidly, as usual. General Dix'’s venerabie iace and figure Seemed to beam and move with unusual ac- uvity. William R. Travers and 8. L, M. Barlow were each the picture of good nature and @ contented mind. Mr. Shearman, the newly elected Treasurer, was quite ‘elated at having received, curly 1 the norning, the sum of EIGHT DOLLARS FROM THE UNITED STATES, as the Grst amount paid in under the new régime. Whether this was regarded as of good omen conld not be ascertained. ‘True it Was that i created quite @ laugh and caused @ general wio was resent to say (that it only tended to corroborate his idea that the general government was avout to make some negotiations with the Gould party when the bubble burst, This assertion caused @ slight diversion, and the gentleman then earnestly as- red anovier military gentleman who was present thi new, from postive information, such deal of quiet conversation indulged in Mr. Barlow presented the following resolutions, which were adopted, and which: show the temper of tae new Board in regard to O’Brien’s CLASSIFICATION ACT repeal in the Legislature:— ved, That public notice be given that it is the inten- Board that the bon fds mrockhol pany shail at all times hereafter have, and be allowed to ex- ercise, their full and absolute right to control the direction of is company, and that this Board will do all in its power to ut stich @ election ax shall secure this result ; and in view of this ination it is turther Resol of the ‘That the Hoard does. heartily a principles émbodied in the act recently reported to the Senate and of this State for the repeal of the so called Glassifleation set and for other p ‘and that’ Messrs. Porter and MeFariand, two of the counsel of this Boar, be rognested to proceed ¥ ‘of the in question, Albany to urge the passage Resolutions were introduced and adopted re- seinding the resolution passed by the Executive Committee in January, 1871 (but never acted upon), authorizing the issuing of $22,000,000 of convertible bonds, and also that the stock transfer books be ordered closed, and the Treasurer atrected to make @ full examtuaiion and Teport as soon as practicable on the financial standing of the corporation. At was reported that the amount of common stock now on the market was $78,000,000, A gentleman friend of the new régime reported to the Board at this time that Jay Gould was willing to resign, but wanted to do so to his own old Board, This pathetic appeal, - “HIs OWN OLD BOARD,’? could not be resisted. The newly elected directors were sure that no action of Gould’s now coulkhurt hem; so they decided to gratily the littie man’s whim, and they withdrew to another room, The Deaccmaker then returned to Gould’s headquarters, and in afew minutes returned in company with pe treat with his baggage, or would the triumphant party of honesty and death let loose upon his track @ bloodnounps of the law, and seize his spoils and throw him into @ cell at 3Si Sing?’ d then there were soon renewed the whispers cr peereay, ‘that Gould was immediately to be arrest “Why, nothing can prevent his being put to breaking stone,” said a keen-cyed broker, “except the stupid good nature of his foes. They have turned him out and got possession of the books and rs before he hi even # short half hour to ny hen evidence of his peculations, If they have smart lawyers they ought to be able ie gone or two to hold evidence that would be enoug! get Gut a hundred separate indictments. If I was Gould, which God forbid, way out of the countr older, no matter what I ieft bend. The game 1s up, and mashing remains but to retire as swiflly a8 Possible from the scene of the conflict,’” All through the day there were heavy dealings in the stock, but the fluctuations were notso violent as had been igueaioien by many as likely to supervene upon the deteat of theing. Tne fact seems to be that the coup d'état has been largely anticipated by the street, and the rise of five per cent last woek was the substantial indication of the c event, Still there are many operators Who claim that as soon ag things are defintiely set- ted, which they wil be at furthest by to-morrow, there Will be an important advance, and that Erie will creep up to the figures at which it stood before it became the prey of a little knot of audacious and unserupulous speculators, Perhaps they are right, especially when the natural strength of the road 18 taken into fair account; but then, On the other hand, it ts argued that i: will take years to root out the parasitical rings that have fastened on the revenues of the road, and which now hold con- Gould and his counsel, Snearman. As svon as the little ex-president made his appearance the “‘b’noys” all crowded forward, those in the gallery leaned over the railings all gazed after the lit- tie figure as it entered tne rooms where the recent Vicrors were in possession. While the Board was in session, and just nefore the events lust narrated, Superintendent Kelso, accompanied by Inspector Walling, arrived, took & hasty glance at the situation, and asked if his orders had been fully carried out. Being answered in the ailirmative, be inquired as to the truth of the stories about breaking of furniure and carrying away of property, reported by soue industrious and imaginative scribes, and was informed that no property had been destroyed or removed. Juage Dowling shortiy afterward arrived, and after @ hurried walk through some of the rooms and @ talk with a few of the people around ne had & brief interview wita Gould previous to the nego- Ugtions with the new Board above mentioned, A SESS ON OF THE OLD BUARD ‘was called by Gould, at which he presided, and at which were present Messrs. Sherwood, Eldridge, Lane, Otis, Hilton, Ramsdell and Arener. As soon as the Board was convened Mr. Gould offered his resignation as President, and it was immediately @ccepted. Vice President Archer then took the chair, and Mr. Ramsdell offered the resignations of those members of the old Board whose resignations nad been sent to the meeung held the day before. ‘The resignations were accepted and tne vacancies filled by those elected at the meeting held on Mon- day, alter which the following were clected:— OVFICEES OF THE NEW CORPORATION. President—Jonn A. Dix. Vice President—O. H. P, Archer, Treasurer—W, W. Sherman, Assistant Treasurer—Justin D, White, Secretary—Horatio N. Ous, Assistant ry—Mortimer Smith, Superintendent—Lewis D. Rucker, Counselior—S. L. M, Barlow. Associate Counsel—W. W. Macfarland. General Superintendent—L. VD. Rucker. acot General Superintendent—J, W. Guppy (! General Freight agent—B, W. Blanchard (out of wn), Assistant General Freight Agent—J. H, Rutter. General Passenger Agent—W. R, Barr (out of town) Monistant General Passenger Agent—J. N, Abbott. Auditor—G. P. Morosini, #ngineer—Jonn Hilton, It was decided that Field & Shearman should re- main as counsel in those cases in which they wove already engaged, and should act hereafter us assist ants to Messrs. Barlow and Macfarland. The tollowing gentlemen were appointed on the Executive Committee:—Messrs, Dix, Barlow, ‘Travers, Ramsdeli and Archer, and on the Auditing Committee Messrs. Lansing, Diven and Archer. From this it wii be seen that the old members who have played the douge of ‘jumping the fence” are not trusied onelther of the important com- mittees, and that Gould remains simply as a mem- ber of the Directory, All this was done in almost as short time as it takes to tell It, aller which Jay Gould went out, and addressing “Tommy” Lynch told him wat mat. ters Were amicably settled, ana asked hin to get his men out, Lynch turned around and quietly said, “The jig 18 up; this wi men; fall iu, get out,}? and they accordingly got, and this part of the farce was ended. “THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS.” ~ The troubles of the past two days hau left some very decided traces in the Ln oped halls of Erie. The discarded quid ot Virgin Leaf, the relic of one of Lynch’s guerilias, slept peacetully alongside the stump of @ {ragrant Havana, which had some hours since graced the lips of some aristocrauc director, Scraps of paper Were strewn in every direction and the rich carpets bore the stamp of many a dirty boot, showing where the guerilla band had bivouacked for the mgnt, eir gallant captain speaks In the highest terms of the excellent state of capline at waich his company have arrived, con- sideriug ow very scldom the State has need of their service, Within twenty minutes alter Captain Lynch had received the requisition Irom Mr, Gould the lant one hundred and nineteen, the pride ot ie ward, all answered the roll, and were ready for. any deel of daring which their chief might elect. When they were dismissed yesterday Captain Lynch wept on parting with so much devotion, so many rough | but nonest hearts, Who had stood the vigil of that feartul uight without one singie member having succumbed to the effects of either tne cold or stimu- Janta, About five o’cluck yesterday after- noon, when the camp was deserted and the leading spirits of this hence‘orward celebrated COUP DE MAIN had departea to Delmonico’s and other resorts of luxury to sip their Chablis with their oysters and talk over the events Of the day, the menials of the | establishment went to work to clean up the tracks of the guerillas, and, after carting off the debris, make the offices nabitable for the new corps of om. cers who have undertaken the management of the rie ship, and who are expected to steer 1t safe and sound tarough the many ups aud downs of its trou- blea course. Shortly aiter six all was quiet im the Erie of and the scene of turbulence, where some twenty- four hours previous hundreds in pursuit of the al- sj dollar were ready for any deed of jolence, was now wrap) in peaceful quietude, and unaisturbea by the measured beat of even a single guardian policeman. It was rumored yesterday morning, and the rumor 18 probably jounded om fact, that Judge Porter and W. W. McFarland would go to Albany last evening 1n order to petition the Legis- lature to have the Police Commissioner, Heary Smith, removed for what they call his scandalous conuuct on Monday in allowing Lynch’s roughs to destro, and deface the property of tne Erie Kkailway Company. THS EXCITEMENT IN WALL SIREEi. ‘The excitement in Wail street over the collapse of the Erle Ring ana the fall of Gould contunued yes- terday, though it showed signs of abatement. Peo- ple recovered from the first shock of surprise at the suddenness of this memorable coup d¢lat, which ‘will form probably in future years the closing chap: ter of interest in the wonderful history of the Erie frauds, and abandoned themselves without restraint to the satisfaction which possessed their souls at the overthrow ol one of the most unscrupulous financiers that ever gambied for the possession of other men’s mouey, “What an infernal little scoundrel he was,” was almost invariably the opening phrase of the discus+ sion of the story of the dispossession of Goulu as told in the HERALD. “Why he would bave stolen the pennies off bis dead mother’s eyes,” And then came naturally reminiscences of the earlier campaigns of Erle, when the Tammany Ring Were still throned m state and presidea over the fortunes of the city, and when Fisk's daring skill propped up tne weaker spirit of his co-con- spirator with something resembling, in a faint sort of way, the courage of aman. ‘Just think whata Splendid fight Fisk would have made of it,’ sald a broker. He was not physicaily a very brave man, but he would have risen tothe ne- cessities of the occasion and would have sat behind his legions of rowdies and dared Geno- ral Dix and the rest of them to come on and oust bim from the President’s chair, and if they could have ousted him he would have smoked them out with pans of red fire from the property room of the theatre, or have burned down the opera house, or done sometning equally desperate to throw the whole thing back Ee es asd it ve ata the eps bey the meet- ing. But then the meeting of the qi re WOU! never have taken piace aw Ye aut Seek auve, None of them would have had the heart to riek & contest to the aeatn with him, The cowardice aud = meaoness of Gould, and not nis villany, brought him to grief.’ He was a man that no one liked and that none could trust, and so, of course, uis fellow directors cheerfully entered into the caval against him.’? , Later in the 4 en the news of Gonld’s resignation arriy was @ revival’ first keen interest in the atrugio’ “that . wae awakened yesterday. Every saw now that the battle had been deaiew >, ONS, Diack-bearded monarch of @it7% Ang ibA {ha yiue bly deposed ana had * le A ae bod last feeble hope ~ forced to abandon ing on and would have been | ihewar . vi reinstating himself, Practically, aoe mamtectod 1D Siew days, To this assurance | fun’ .os Over when te officers of the ri Beare a TM BRIS Mt and "bah Wer ka ong ery ecard jer" 5 We woula *oost Ben Tracy his head as Div” 4s 1 fogiance to the victors, But atll thers bud re bas wae ene & faint possibuyty that she astutoness of | the e1¥6h o'clock General Dix called a | Ring lawye backed by a desperate rosolntion eae afariny OP THE NEW DIRROTORS, on the part of Gould, might change the fortunes oa immedial ly the room was cleared of all ex- | the day, His resignation, however, dissipated any cept mem»pers of tho Board. mall amount | such prospect into thin air. Only one question re- OF routine had bean aone throngh With apd p Areas » walned, “Would the ahiat be allowed vo ree tracts and leases aud ali sorts of legal documents, which can only be sei aside by the decision of vhe courts. However, time will show. TWEED uN ERIE. What Ex-Director Tweed Thinks aud Kuows About Erie—ie Dou’t Believe in “Blowers”—His Opinion of the Legisia- ture=—senator Wood and His Own Alleged Frauds on the Ninth Judicial District Court House, A HERALD reporter sought Mr. Tweed yesterday Morning, and found him at his private office in Duane street, occupying his chair at his desk, and as serene and undisturbed in manner as though the Andy Garvey revelations and the Erie coup a'état were no moreto him than the morning snow flakes which the Broadway pedestrians were trampling under thelr feet, ‘ “Mr. Tweed,” said the reporter, ‘I have called upon you to ask you about tbls new chapter in Erie. 1 see by the morning papers you were at the Erie offices late last night.” “Yes, I was there. I heard the newsboys calling outthe ‘Death of Gould,’ and I wondered what it was, I knew nothutig of tho matter until I saw the evening papers, and when I heard tne newsboys cry I thougnt I would go and see whatit was, I went in, but I did not stav many minates. I found out Gould was alive, and that was about all I wanted to know.” “You did not see Mr, Gould, did you Mr. Tweed 1 “No, 1 didn’t try; I have not seen him since I was in the building before, which was at Fisk’s funeral,’’ “Have you any views as to Erle, Mr. Tweed?” “No, I haveno views about Erie; I am not a director; I resigned some time ago, as you know; when I was a director I wok great interest in the road and knew a good deal about it, but lately I have had so many of my own affairs to atiend to, and not being a director, 1 have lost track of the affairs of the company and know no wore than any other disinterested person, coat are not interested pecuniarily, are you, Mr. “Notacent. I have no interest in itany way. I knew & good deal about it when Fisk was alive, an‘ we used, of course, to talk a good deal about Ab! “Do you think the course taken by Gould aud his iriends last night was a judiclous one?” “1 really cannot say; it don’t look as if it was. 1 But I tell you Wat it is—it is very much easter tor people to grumbie and complain than it is for them to improve and relorm, That 1s my experience of ail these things. People grumble and growl, but When it comes to Work and doing sumething these blowers collapse, and turn out contemptible wind- bags, ‘There may be a good deal in Erie that should be improved, and if the new Board steps in I hope they'll do it; but I notice it isn’t the people who get up an excitement and a row in the newspapers that do very much work.’’ “Well, I believe it 1s admitted, Mr. Tweed, that, as fur as the public is concerned, they are very well served by Eric, The quarrel 1s with the stock- holders and the old directors.” “But the stockholders must not pull down their own property. The Erie road is a good road; but it 18 not @ Very easy road to manage. 1 remember Fisk showing me one day some verv elaborate ‘statistics which he had had compiled, | don’t know whether it was ior logisiative urposes or not, but Iknow they were reliable. They snowed that the througn trame did not pay. It isthe way trafic and the freignt that pays, The statistics showed that this was the vase with every road in the coun- try except one. It 18 a remarkable showing, but it istrue. The Erie road is, in many respects, the best rallcoad in the world, But management has brought this about, aud Yt think thet this new Board would have done better if they had had control of It.” “Do you think that if Fisk had been living he woud have prevented this coup d'éiat 2"! “I¢ ig hard to say. Fisk was a remarkable man and a very good general. I don’t think he would have let anybody wet a flank movement on nim if he had had as much warning as Gould has had.” “What do you think the Legislature will do with Erie, Mr. Tweed?” “Well, the Legislature is made up of a very uncertain lot of people. ‘this new development wiil upset them @ littie, 1 should tnink, 1 don’t know that the Legislature can do very much any way. It ae- pends a good deal more upon the men who run the road than it does upon the laws whether @ railroad is successiul or not. There will have to be a new deal with the Legislature all round if the new Board stays fa, Idon’t attach very much importance to what they do now either one way or the otver.” “Talking about Albany, have you seen a despatch from Albany that 18 published in the HERALD this morming??” “No, The fact is there is 80 much in the HzRaLp— you see I have it here (the HER4LD was spread open before Mr, Tweed on nis desk)—that 1 have not had time to get through it.” “Pll read it you, Mr. Tweed.” ie reporter read the despatch, which stated that there was a ramor that Senator Wood would resign and that Senator Tiemann was about to pring up the report as to Mr. Tweed’s fraudulent warrants in the building of the Math Judicial District Court House), “ it do you think about that, Mr. Tweear”’ | touching tne matter, have received “As far ag the le jag of Senator Wood is concerned, I don’t believe it. There is no reason why he should resign. It is not usual for an accused gon to resign belore the report is presented, and fo friend of his would advise such a course. I don’t think 1Vs true, As far as concerned, all I have got to say avout that is, that sen. ator ‘Tiemann is as weak in his heart as he isin his body. Everybody knows how weak he is in his body. I know he can’t prove any charges against me." ‘The guardian ot Mr. Tweed’s privacy announced | another visitor, and the reporter bade Mr, Tweed ane day” and made his exit through “number ves BRIE AND TH8 LEGISLATURE Jay Gould’s Deposition Not to Interfere with the Classification Repeal Bill—Curious Rumors Afloat and Contradicted—A State. ment from the Stockholders. ALBANY, March 12, 1872, The splendia and successful coup d’eiat which se- cured the downfall of the Erie Railroad Ring has beem the theme of conversation everywhere here to-day. The statements published in the papers here this morning, being neither very fail nor very clear, left readers in some doubt as to the situa- uon, ‘There was, consequently, a great rush this evening for the New York journals, All the HERALDS that were brought up on the train were speedily sold oat, and during the day higher prices were offered for copies, When the papers reached the Capitol Buliding & ‘fald was made upon the newshoys by the pages to get copies for Assemblymen and Senators, and soon the atten- uon of the members was practically lost to present legisiavion and was fixed upon the printed story of the dramatic scene enacted yesterday at the Grand Opera House, Popular sentiment was all one way— that the action of the Board of Directors in depos- ing Gould from the Presidency of the road was right, and that there was good reason for the lovers of justice to rejoice. a . . LiveLy S0ENes were expected in both the houses this week, the bills to repeal the Classification act being the special order of business in the Senate to-morrow @nd in the lower House on Thursday next. The im- pression now prevails that there will be little dis- cussion on the subject, inasmuch as the fight that ‘was looked for in the Legisiature was practically ought, and the victory that was hoped for here. «= Was) won en hn _ New York. ‘The suggestion that egistation ws now unnecessary bas had no perceptible effect ; but, on the contrary, there seems to be a de- termination to pass the Southmayd bill with as little delay as possible. Certainly the frien stockholders Will fiot ret ees Ear at ae nina "he ae rest at ni onenuy, are watching closely every indicaion instructions tu unbend thetr energies to procure THE REPEAL OF THE CLASSIFICATION ACT. The suggestion above alluded to, that legisl: 1s now unnecessary, was placed before the Senate to-day by Senator Chatfeld, who offered a short oat Feeculons vreamble and resolution to the Whereas the desired object in relation to Erie nas been obtained without Togiatative interference ; therefore ved, M nay ty od +) order for tbat subject ie bereby There was much merriment in the Senate Cham- ber when this was read, and, of course, it was speeaily disposed of by veing laid upon the tabie, ‘The news received here this eveniag, that Gould has finally resigned the Presidency, has brought re- Nef to the minds of many and has given almost universal satisfaction, One of the strangest rumors afloat to-day in relation to Erie was that Jay Gould has been secretly in favor of the Southmayd bil: for the past week, and that it was the stand he took on the puint that inauced Senators Alien and James Wood to withdraw ull opposition to reporting the Dill, 1¢ 18 claimea by those who pretended to know all about this matter, in explanation of the fact that there was an active lobby here all last week WORKING FOR THE RING 8 against the friends of the bills, that Gould only allowed this apparent opposition for purposes of nis own, the more easily to deceive the public as to his sudden conversion, The story is rather a fishy one and may have been started to gain a little sym- pathy for Gould, now that he has been made to bow the knee wiether he liked the operation or not, me that he does not believe @ word of it, and that as far ashe is concerned it 19 utterly without foundation, he not having received any re+ quest from Gould to go over to the friends of the bill in the committee, who were anxious to report | it. Senator Allen makes the same statement asdar as he is concerned. There is A STORY GOING THE ROUNDS to-night that Gould has sent word to ms friends to make no contest over the bill, and that, if possible, to have it so amended as to have the election set | ae for some period sooner than that Mxed In tne tion in whion Gould now stands in the management ot the Erte Railroad. But he and bis friends need not trouble themselves about giving their outside support to the bill, as the Legislature Wil pass it regardiess of their wishes one way or the other. It seems to be the general opinion among the mem- bers of both houses that THE RUMPUS AT THB GRAND OPERA HOUSE will make no change whatever as to the course the advocates of the Soutumayd pill intend to pursue steadily to the end, in regard to the repeal of the | Ciassification acts and the election of directors. In view of the iact that the subject will be up for dis- cussion 4O-morrow counsel for the stockholders have prepared a statement showing the objects of the bill reported irom the committee, and some reasons why it should be adopted, which will be issue | to-morrow in pampniet form and distiivuted | among the Senators aud members, THE LAW OF SLANDER AND LIBEL. ‘The treatise by Mr. Joho Townshead, of the New York bar, upon the law of slander and libel, sup- piles a long felt desideratum in tne jurisprudence of this country. No American author bad before written apy work upon thisimportant subject, The English text books of Starkie and Holt nad been | edited by American lawyers, but no comprehensive commentary upon the law of libel bad pcen ate tempted, The author of this uselul work remarks with much aptitude and correctness, that a thorough Investigation into elementary principies seems pecu- Marly necessary in treating on the law of libel, because the law upon that subject has, from various causes, been subjected to perversion by undue influ- ences, and been less scientifically treated than most other branches of jurisprudence, Alter a very learned, elaborate and just criticism upon the distinction between slander and libel—the former being detined as ‘‘delamation orally, with- out justifiable excuse,” and the latter “defamation ' in writing,’ uader the same conditions—the author proceeds to treat of the elements essential to con- statute @ wrong tor which the citizen has his legal | mesgedies. The nature of such remedies 1s very Clearly avated, and the characier of the various de- fences which may be interposed as an answer to actions and indictments—such as the question of “privileged commuuication,” the truth of the state- ment verbally uttered, or written or published, or the assertion of the right to comment {reely upon all matters of public interest, are then very lucidly discussed. The question of libel in the public mind is almost | invariably associated with publications in the pub- | lic journals and newspapers of the day. It is con- tended, with much show of reason, that the editor of @ newspaper, in bis comments upon men and events—the iegitimate subjects of public discus. sion—is entitled to demand a larger amount of iree- dom than would appertain to persons in their mere imdividual capacity; and some such concessions bave been made to these arguments, Criticism in its widest sense is accorded to the newspaper—criti- cism upon all acts of the government; criticism upon all oMcial acta of every public man, all public events, ‘God forbid,” said an English Judge recently to the editor of the nonconformist newspaper, in & sult brought against him for libel, ‘that you should not be aliowed to comment freely | upon the conduc: of all mankind, provided you do it justly and honorably,” The preseat work of Mr. Townshend is annotated With all the recent American and English authorites, and is the resuit of great research and legaliore. To the jurist and general practitioner this treatise on the law of slander and libel will ve iovaluable, aud | P) every newspaper editor in the country should have a copy of it in his library. The book which we now briefly review is & secon edition of the treatise, with many valuable additions and an appendlx of several important judicial decisions matataining the propositions enunciated by the learned author in the first edition, It 1s well that this work fell to the lot of Mr. Townshend, because it was one for which he was peculiarly fitted, having made the twin subject of slander and libel his special study for many years, Having undertaken and completed iu he has left nothing for the student or the practi tioner to desire further on the subject. It will be accepted a8 @ text book and take its place among the works of the high authorities who have made special branches of jurisprudence their study, either for ilving or posthumous fame. AN IMPORTANT RAILROAD SUIT, 'Thé Pounsylvania Central Company and the Richm and Danville Road—Suit to Re- cover Nearly Two Mlilion Dollars. RICHMOND, Va,, March 12, 1872. torney, to-day fled a bill in the Circuit Court of the United States in Chancery to foreclose a mortgage executed by the Kichmond and Danville Railroad Company to the Confederate States to secure | $1,000,000, which has reverted to the United States, It is allowed that there is now due nearly two millions of dollars for bonds, mnoney, iron and other railroad matertal, advanced to bull id the Piedmont Railroad, under @ contract made in 1862, between the Richmond and Danville Railroad and the Confederate nrg the Richmond and The suit is brought against Danville Railroad ee late of Virginia and other defendants holding or _ claiming to hoid Hens on the road. The best legal talent of the country will be engayed on both sides, as the Penn- cyivania Central Railroad Company now owns the anville Railroad, It is surmised the company ts at the bottom of this movement, and that Colonel Scott has dis- covered “Anold way to pay new debts.” ‘This road ig the connecting line through Virginia of Scots great Southera Pacific route, COLLECTOR BUDINGTON’S ACCOUNT WITH THE GOVERNMENT, To THE Epiror oF THE HERALD:— In an article in the New YORK HERALD of yester- day 1 am charged with being @ defaniter to the United States government to the amount of some thirty thousand dollars. I wish to state that when 1 retired trom the office of Collector of Internal Revenue for the Thirteenth districs of New York, ‘which was on July 6, 1871, ‘The amount of Indebtedness for uncollected, uncollectable erroneous taxes Wa.8.. .......841,448 25 On account of which I am entitled as follows :— Cash deposited in the usual manner.. ........ Co ‘The emeust due me for balance of compensation account....... wher a 85 99 30 00 amount, taxes for which I bave asked abatem + 20,058 08 favor. Thus showing @ balance In fy YT DINGTON. KInoston, March 12, 1872. fitee from Nine- The following gentiem teenth Wart Reawoad Reform Association, Wil Pro ceed to Albany this morning to advocate & bill association for the improve. Yourth avenue;—Messrs, J. W. Beek- Fi iv, 6 Tio MeOH ab Senator Wood assures | ‘yhis- smokes of clap-trap m view Of the posi- | and upon | | | Ex.Governor Wells, United states District at. | , schooner. THE VIRGINIA TOBACCO TRADE. Mass Meoting of Operators at Bichmond—The Play of the Ways and Means Committee in Congress Death to Them—Resolutions and Memorial to the Execu- tive in Wasiington. Ricuwuonp, Va., March 12, 1872, It has been previously announced in the HERALD that immense mass meetings of the colored tobacco operators were being held throughout the State to influence speedy action in Congress on the tobacco tax question, the delay to act upon that important matter having caused the greatest suifering to these people, who number many thousands, and who have been out of employment, owing to this tardiness on the part of Congress, for nearly three months, Not only have the operators sutfered, but the entire tobacco trade has been brought to a standstill, and the losses to planters aud manutac- turers have been severely felt, and will continue to | be heavy unless action ts soon taken to settle tt | upon some basis. The matter was taken up in Richmond to-day, when, pursuant to a call, an im- mense mass mecting of the colored people, depend: | ent upon the trade and their employers—the manu- facturers—was held at the African church, the “Faneuu Hali” of the South, There were at I THREE THOUSAND PERSONS PRESENT and the meeung was one of tne most orderly ever convened tn that buuding. ‘The object of the meet- | Ing was stated by the chairman, au influential col- ored operator and political leader, to be the presen- tation of a memorial to Congress requesting that bocdy to take some steps for the removal or moditi- | cation of the taxes now linposed upon the twbacco Interests of this city, After several speeches had } been delivered by both white and colored citi. | zens the iollowing resolutions were unanimously adopted :— Resolved, That we, the operators, of Richmond and Man- cheater, do most earnestly petition Congress that this tobacco question, on which the sustenance of 80 many of the | tis'State depends, be taken up at once and disposed of, Resolved, hat & uniform rate of taxation, in the opinion of this meeting, wi! notonly be just and equitable among all classes of manufaciurers o} but {sal | aemanded for a proper execution of the law and the preven- tion of fraud, Resolved, While we do not desire to dictate the amount of revenue which the general government shall derive from Manufactured tobacco, we lo yet desire to express th jon of this meeting that this industry e is more he.vily taxed than avy other subject of internal revenue, being 300 per cent on the average cost of the raw mat being thereby & tax mainly on the lavor which enters Jarge constituent tn the mafafactuved aricie, Resoived, That it is the opinion of this meeting that the establishment of bonded warehouses which has enabled » fow ot us to engage in the manufacturing of tobacco Is one Of tne surest measures passed by your lonorable, body to prevent fraud and enab'e those with small capital.to earn an honest living; and tbe abolition of bonded warehouses willterminate in the destruction of all smaller manufac; turers, thereby throwing many persona out of employment and the government deriving no benefit therefrom ; there- fore we would pray Congress to continue and extend this system of bonded warehouses. | “Resolved, That we feel sincerely grateful to the govern. ment that gave us our freedom, and do highly appreciate the y.acte of Congress guaranteeing to us the Hehs of cit uffrage and many other pr! vileges, solved, That the tobacco operators sign a memorial senting there views to Congress, and request the President ‘of this meeting to present a copy of the same to Hon. Wil- | Mam D, Kelley, republican member of the Commitee of | Wayeand Meabs, through Hon: Ch H, Porwer, republi- can member of the House of Representatives from’ this dis- trict Atthe close of the meeting the names of Presi- dent Grant, Senator Wilson wud General B, F. But Jer were enthustastically cheered, COMMITTEE OF SEVENTY. Hon. William F. Havemeyer, chairman of tne Committee of Seventy, presided at a very (ull meet- | ing of the committee last eveatng, wt being gene- | rally expected that some business of an important | nature would be consilered. The usual roatine business of calling the roll and | reading the minutes having been disposed of, Hon. Edward Salomon, chairman of the Committee om Legislation, made a report of the several hearings | given the friends and foes of the charter by the | Committee on Cities and Villages of the Senate, and informed his associates that the chief, in tact the | Whole, opposition to the passage of the charter, | came from those who desired to retain in power | the gentlemen wno were chosen to th» Board ot eivchon aad the chiefs of departments, tovevher with their subordinates. Governer Salomon | also told the committee of possible amendmeats to the charter that bad veen talked of, but did not know that they woulda be reported by the Senate Comunittee on Cities or whether those urging them would prefer to have them considered by the Senate in Cominittee of tle Whole, At the close of Governor Salomon's report Mr. James M. brown, tie Vice Chairman of the com- mittee, read a letter from Mr. Joha Wheeler, Chair- ‘ man of tne Special Atbany Committee, and later | in the evening Governor Salomon read @ telegram from the same gentleman, in boul of wich Mr. | Wheeler urged the Committee of Seveuty to show, by their presence in Albany ie remalader of this week, that they (ook the same interest In tie pas- sage of the charter vy the Senate as was iaanilested by the commilitee wien the great reiorm meusure | was pending in the Assembly, Mr, Simon Sterne, the Secretary of the committee, and who 18 associated with Governor Salomon 10 taking special care of the charter, advocated the great need for a strong representation of the com- | mittee :n Albany until the charter was passed b! | both houses of the Legisiature and had the approval | Of the Mayor, ; wir. Joseph Blumenthal, of tho special Albany | Committee, made a snort address of similar Import, | audresges of a brief und earnest character, roving that the interests of the committee tn the triumph of their charter has not tagged in tne least, were made by Mr. Pierrepont and Messrs, John D. McKenzie, George W. Lane, Roswelt D. Hatch, William H. Neilson, Wasuington R. Ver- miiye and others, ‘The roll was then called for members to {to Albany, and this week to Albany idermen at the the several last that those deiegated to go will be strengthened by tne well-known citizens, Messrs, Jacob D. Vermilye, Henry Clews, U. B Det- mold (who, by the Way, las resided longer in this ' city than any other citizen born tn Gerinany, having come to this city in 1826), Dr. E, Krackowizer, Rovert Hoe, George W. Lane, Roswell D. Hatch,: James M, fialsted, Henry F. eo Frederick Scuast, Edmund &. Robinsoa, &o Colonel Henry G. Stebvins, the President of the Department of Parks and mony elected director of Erie aud the first Chairman of the Committee of Seventy, entered the rovis during the evening, and was warmly welcomed by lis former asso- ciates, ‘The next meeting of the committee will be held | om Monday next. COLLISION IN THE SOUND. | The City of Boston Hacked by an Unknown Schooner--Consternation of Passengers— Damage About $1,500—-Sailed Again. During the flercest blow of the snow storm yester- | day morning the utmost consternation was created! | on board of the City of soston, one of the New York’ aud New London line of Sound steamers. The City of Boston left New London about five o'clock in the afternoon of Monday, aud at about five orciock yes- terday morning, when off Mattinicook Point—a | dense fog and a blinding snow storm prevailing— the steamer came in collision with an unknown The wildest excitement prevalied among the passengers on board the steamer. Fears of an explosion were awakened, and there were some just grounds therelor. ‘fhe appearance of the City of Boston at her dock here yesterday afternoou demonstrated the severity of tle shock and the extent of the damage, [ne bow- sprit of tae schooner entered the port side of tne steamer, about ten ‘cet Iront of the forward gang: way, and carried away the waver closets, store- rooms and the staterooms above. Itcut a clean shave along to the boiicr aud unrooled @ sinall por- tion Of that, but, fortunately did not penetrate very | deeply there, The butwarks were also stove —— that part of the steamer looked very much like # wreck. The injury covers tne length of about | twenty feet of the steamer, Nevertheless, the press Of business would not permit to have the City of \ Boston hauled off for repairs, and she kept her ap- pointment and satled as usual for New London yes- terday aiternoon. The damaged parts were tempo- farlly secured by nailing pine voards together and rotecting the sidvs as well as they can be, The famage caused bytue collision can be repaired for avout fifteen nundred dollars, but the steamer will not lay off for repairs for a lew days yet. ‘ne passencers vy the New Haven Kailroad on | une early morning train saw the condition of the steamer and the schooner and reported the facts here eariy in the day. The name of the schooner, where she was [rom or Where bound was not known and the damage done to her could not be ascel | tained. She was not, bowover, mjured suiliciently to demand assistance; aud the steamer, a8 00D as she could be extricated, continued her course and arrived hero a little after her regular time yesterday, | The City of Boston was steaming slowly at the time | of the collision and was sounding her wiisties and displaying her lights, as Is usual in such weather. | Two or three other sieamers in her wake took siml+ recautions. a fow the accident occurred {s not exactly known, but it would seem that those on board the schooner must have kept @ very careless lookout, a8 she came veamer almost at right 1ull on, striking er al angles board side, just forward of the Way Oe ne eta of somie of the upper deck staterooms was carried away by the yards of the schooner. ly no lives were lost, though great terror prevailed no time om board the City ‘Boston, THE UNION PAGIFIO RAILROAD, getcecm Ra, Maron 12, 1972, | ‘The Weather is now pleasant, and the entire line the Pacific Ratiroad is clear of snow. All trains Sfovannina on time,