These monopolists are essentially dangerous citizens in the fullest acceptance of the word. They are dangerous citizens, not only in being guilty of violation of the law, in subverting the fundamental principles of public morality, but they are dangerous citizens, because they lead others into the commission of the same crimes. Their example is deadly to honorable sentiments; it is poison to Californians, because it allures men with the glamour of success; it incites the unwary to imitate the conduct of men who have become immensely rich by such culpable means.
Mr. Huntington in his letters (made public in the Colton suit), shows the truth of all this; shows how bribing and corrupting seemed to him perfectly correct. He speaks of “the men that can be convinced” (meaning the men that will take bribes), as naturally as if no one need blush for it. And with the same frankness he discloses his maneuvering to defeat the Texas Pacific Railroad, and elude the payment of moneys due the Government. It is surprising, as well as unpleasant, to read in Mr. Huntington's letters the names of men in high positions whom he reckons in his list as “men who can be convinced” and he speaks of them in a cool way and off-hand manner, which shows how little respect he has for those whom he can convince. Perhaps there are some in his list who never did take a bribe from him, but then those gentlemen are in the position of “Old Dog Tray,” who suffered for being in bad company.
“I have set matters to work in the South that I think will switch most of the South from Tom Scott's Texas and Pacific bill,” etc., etc., Mr. Huntington wrote in April, '75, and in November of the same year he concluded to send Dr. Gwin to work on the credulity of the Southerners, to switch them off.
“I think the doctor can do us some good if he can work under cover. * * * He must not come to the surface as our man. * * * Not as our agent, but as an anti-subsidy Democrat and a Southern man,” etc. When the deceiver returned, Mr. Huntington wrote: “I notice what you say about the interest that Dr. Gwin should have. I have no doubt that we shall agree about what his interest should be,” says Mr. Huntington, speaking of the price to be paid the ex-Senator for his work of helping to “switch off the South!”
In another letter Mr. Huntington says: “I had a talk with Bristow, Secretary of the Treasury. He will be likely to help us fix up our matters with the Government on a fair basis.”
Another letter says: “I am doing all I can to have the Government take six million acres of land, and give the railroad company credit for fifteen million dollars, etc. I wish you would have the newspapers take the ground that this land ought to be taken by the Government and held for the people, etc. Something that the demagogues can vote and work for,” etc.
Mr. Huntington also says: “I think there should be a bridge company organized (that we are not in) to build over the Colorado River, etc. In this way we could tax the through business on this line should we so desire,” etc.
In another letter, dated March 7th, 1877, he says: “I stayed in Washington two days to fix up a Railroad Committee in the Senate. * * * The Committee is just as we want it, which is a very important thing for us.” * * *
He again says: “The Committees are made up for the Forty-fifth Congress. I think the Railroad Committee is right, but the Committees on Territories I do not like. A different one was promised me. Sherrel has just telegraphed me to come to Washington,” etc.
Mr. Huntington mentions in other letters the fact of bills being submitted to him before being put to vote; and also about being consulted concerning the formation of Committees and other Congressional matters, much as if Congress really wished to keep on the good side of Mr. Huntington. But it looked also as if he did not have everything his own way always, for at times he loses patience and calls Congress a “set of the worst strikers,” and “the hungriest set” he ever saw.