406 INTRODUCTION. 



all over the State, either to control nominations or elections 

 for Senators and members of Assembly. Considered that, 

 as a rule, such investments paid better than to wait till 

 the men got to Albany, and added the significant remark, 

 when asked a question, that it would be as impossible to 

 specify the numerous instances as it would to recall to 

 mind the numerous freight cars sent over the Erie road 

 from day to day." 



The committee conclude their report as follows: 

 "It is not reasonable to suppose that the Brie railway 

 has been alone in the corrupt use of money for the pur- 

 poses named; but the sudden revelation in the direction of 

 this company has laid bare a chapter in the secret history 

 of railroad management such as has not been permitted 

 before. It exposes the reckless and prodigal use of money, 

 wrung from the people to purchase the election of the peo- 

 ple's representatives, and to bribe them when in office. 

 According to Mr.^Gould, his operations extended into four 

 different States. It was his custom to contribute money to 

 influence both nominations and elections." 



The following letters were brought to light in a trial 

 in which General Col ton's widow sued the Central 

 Pacific railroad for services rendered by her husband: 



NEW YORK, May i, 1875. 

 Friend Colton: 



* * * I notice what you say of L,uttrell; he is a 

 wild hog; don't let him come back to Washington; but as 

 the house is to be largely Democratic, and if he was to be 

 defeated likely it would be charged to us, hence, I think it 

 would be best to beat him with a Democrat; but I would 

 defeat him anyway, and if he got the nomination, put up 

 another Democrat and run against him, and in that way 

 elect a Republican. Beat him. * * * 



Yours truly, C. P. HUNTINGTON. 



