FARMER'S AVAR AGAINST MONOPOLIES. 83 



was confined to Pennsylvania. In 1869, however, its 

 policy in this respect underwent a change, and it burst 

 through State limits, extending its field of operations 

 over the vast region lying between the great lakes and 

 the Ohio upon the north and south, and the Missouri 

 on r the west. This sudden development was, as ususl, 

 the immediate result of competition, and was almost 

 forced upon the corporation in spite of itself, as a 

 measure of defence. The secret history of the railway 

 intrigues and legislative manipulations of 1869 would 

 make a very singular narrative could the whole of it 

 be disclosed. That year was, in fact, a turning-point 

 in our railway progress. The Erie management had 

 then fallen into confessed discredit, and was beginning 

 its remarkable attempt under Messrs. Gould and Fisk 

 to carry on a great commercial enterprise in absolute 

 disregard of every principle pf good faith, commonly 

 supposed to be at the basis of civilized transactions. 

 Those managing this thoroughfare were desperately 

 thrusting out in every direction, contracting, buying, 

 and leasing all adjoining roads with a rashness only 

 surpassed by their easy disregard of the obligations 

 thus contracted. Early in 1869 they sought to cut off 

 the connections of the Pennsylvania road, and to shut it 

 up within the limits of that State. For a brief time 

 the battle seemed to go in their favor, but suddenly 

 the tide turned. The result showed that they were no 

 match for the powerful antagonist they had provoked ; 

 their overthrow was so effectual as to have in it some 

 elements of the ludicrous. Bills in the interest of the 

 Pennsylvania company, which it was doubtful if it 

 were in the power of any legislature to pass, were 

 pushed through their various stages, and received exe- 



