The New York and Erie Railroad
The commissioners appointed by the act did not enter upon their duties until late in the fall of 1845, and consequently their labors were not colluded when the Legislature of 1816, convened. This gave the company an opportunity to apply for a modification of the law of the previous session, and an additional act was passed, by which the Commissioners were to decide whether there was a practical route through Sullivan “on which the company could construct their road without great prejudice to the public interests of this State, and the interests of the citizens of this State, who, in their judgment, would be affected by the construction and location of the road collectively considered.” And in case they should decide otherwise, then the company were authorized to locate in Pennsylvania, subject, however, to the reserved power of the Legislature of 1847, to direct otherwise. The act also, added Frederick Whittlesey, Jared Wilson, Job Pierson and William Dewey to the Comnission.*
During the ensuing season the Board caused hurried and incomplete surveys to be made through Sullivan, and found that the ascending and descending grades were better than had been reported by the engineers of the company, and much more favorable than the grades east and west of the county; that the distance was about two and a half miles greater than by the way of the more southern route; that the curvature was more objectionable on the interior line than elsewhere; and that the latter could be made for $401,480 less than the other. It was claimed by the friends of the central route, that it was susceptible of improvement as to curvature and distance; but their suggestions were unheeded by the engineers, who naturally were inclined to favor the side from which they could expect a preponderance of employment.
On the 5th of August., 1846, the commissioners (except Mr. Pierson) met at the court-house in Monticello, to hear what could be said for and against the rival routes. Thomas McKissock of Newburgh appeared for the company, and William B. Wright for the people.
At this meeting Mr. Wright made a fine exhibition of forensic ability. He had been a needy editor and afterwards a more needy attorney and counselor; had been chiefly remarkable as a caustic writer* and for a love of ease and the pleasures afforded by gratifying his palate. In conducting trivial law-suits he had been out of his element, and was as ungainly as an elephant attempting a jig among a brood of chickens which he was required not to crush. He had great natural ability; but had had no opportunity, and perhaps had been too inert to exhibit the best phases of his character. His argument before the commissioners was reported in full for the Republican Watchman, and was much admired. From that time his advancement was rapid. He was soon after elected Member of Assembly, then a member of the Constitutioiial Convention, and at the last election under the third Constitution of the State, was chosen a Justice of the Supreme Court, and held that position until he was a Judge of the Court of Appeals. While holding the latter office he died.
* See “Report of the Minority of the committee on Railroads, in relation to the location of the New York and Erie Railroad.” [AssembIy Documents, 1847.]*While Mr. Wright was the editor of a paper published in Goshen, he assailed a rival with terrible severity. The person attacked was almost immediately prostrated with a paralysis, from which he never recovered. Mr. W. believed the disease was caused by what he had written.