170 HISTORY OF THE GRANGE MOVEMENT; OR, 



investigating committees are to be believed, Mr. Gould 

 at about this time underwent a curious psychological 

 metamorphosis, and suddenly became the veriest 

 simpleton in money matters that ever fell into the 

 hands of happy sharpers. Cunning lobby members had 

 but to pretend to an influence over legislative minds, 

 which every one knew they did not possess, to draw 

 unlimited amounts from this verdant habitue of Wall 

 street. It seemed strange that he could have lived so 

 long and learned so little. He dealt in large sums. 

 He gave to one man, in whom he said he ' did not take 

 much stock,' the sum of $5000, 'just to smooth him 

 over.' This man had just before received $5000 of 

 Erie money from another agent of the company. It 

 would therefore be interesting to know what sums Mr. 

 Gould paid to those individuals in whom he did * take 

 much stock.' Another individual is reported to have 

 received $100,000 from one side l to influence legisla- 

 tion,' and to have subsequently received $70,000 from 

 the other side to disappear with the money ; which he 

 accordingly did, and thereafter became a gentleman of 

 elegant leisure. One Senator was openly charged in the 

 columns of the press with receiving a bribe of $20,000 

 from one side, and a second bribe of $15,000 from the 

 other; but Mr. Gould's foggy mental condition only 

 enabled him to be * perfectly astounded ' at the action 

 of this Senator, though s he knew nothing of any such 

 transactions. Other Senators were blessed with a sudden 

 accession of wealth, but in no case was there any jot or 

 tittle of proof of bribery. Mr. Gould's rooms at the 

 Develin House overflowed with a joyous company, and 

 his checks were numerous and heavy ; but why he 

 signed them, or what became of them, he seemed to 



