The New York and Erie Railroad
The act of 1846 did not exert a salutary influence on capitalists. Men of wealth still refused to promote the enterprise by liberal subscriptions. It is alleged that their financial costiveness resulted from a lack of confidence in those who had the affairs of the company in charge. However this may be, in 1848, further legislation was solicited and a more liberal act passed, by which the State agreed to invest one dollar for every two expended by the company, the State appropriation not to exceed $3,000,000.
It is said that the passage of this act was due to the unwearied and persistent efforts of Hon. John P. Jones, one of the founders of Monticello, who was then in the Senate, and that his action was enlivened by a pledge of the company that, if he succeeded in securing the passage of the act, they would locate the road on what was then known as the Brownson route. This route was the most favorable to Monticello, to the interests of which he was ardently attached until his death. Some may doubt that he was a man who could influence a legislative body, as he was of slow and hesitating speech, exceedingly dull and tiresome, and without a spark of magnetic power to excite favorable action. Yet he was shrewd, and had some qualities nearly allied to cunning and craft. In saying this of him, we disclaim any imputation on his character for integrity and honor. We believe he was influenced by justifiable motives, and wished to secure to the county an important and vital interest.
Still there was but little if any progress. The resources of
the company continued to be limited, and small as they were, were squandered in paying large salaries, in making extensive and incomplete surveys, and in partially constructing here and there useless fragments of their road.
from the Port Jervis Union.
MONTICELLO AND PORT JERVIS RAILROAD.
STAIRWAY BROOK, Jan. 31, 1869.
D. HOLEROOK, ESQ.,-DEAR SIR :-In your issue of Jan. the 22, you have a long article in relation to the Port Jervis and Monticello railroad, I would like to make known some facts to you which ought also to be known and acted upon by all of the people interested in that road.
In the winter of 1835-6 the Erie Railway company asked from the State of New York a loan of one million and a half of dollars. The bill was introduced in the Legislature at Albany, by John P. Jones, of Monticello, at that time member of the Senate, and with indefatigable perseverance and determination on his part, the bill was carried through and became a law. While this bill was pending the managers of the road gave their plighted faith to Jones that they would locate and put under contract that portion of the line between Cuddebackville and the forks of the on Mongaup, by way of the Brownson route, passing one and a half miles east of Monticello. And I was ordered to get the line ready with as little delay as possible, which I did, fixing the maximum grade at 68 feet per mile. This steep grade extended for a distance about five or six miles. commencing near Clow's Bridge or what is now called Oakland, and extending in the direction of Monticello. The line was got ready but was never put under contract in consequence of some wrangling between the people of Monticello and Thompsonville, in consequence of which this one million and a half dollars, together with one million and a half more from the Company was squandered on other portions of the line between Binghamton and Dunkirk by building it on piles which cost about as much as a graded road, and which in the end proved perfectly useless and was abandoned altogether. So you will perceive that the people of Monticello as well as other portions of the county have been wronged out of what their Senator labored so long and ardently for. Now if this road is to be a tributary to the Erie road it is but just, and they have a right to ask and demand their assistance and aid in the building of the Monticello railroad. It is but just and the people should look into it and act accordingly. If the Erie road can lease or buy hundreds of railroads out west, they ought at least do something for this road where their plighted faith has been given, and especially where they have received one and a half millions of dollars- I would add that this one and a half millions was afterwards given to the company, out and in full.
My object in writing this is that the people may know these facts, and perhaps they may act in such a way as to get the assistance of the Erie railroad in the construction of their own.
Very respectfully yours, &c.,
C. L. SEYMOUR