The Republican journal., 1872-06-27
Anecdotes of Public Men.
From the Galaxy for July.

The death OF Erastus Corning, who was
President of the New York Central Rail,
road from the time of its organization il
1888 down to 1865, brings to mind the un-
timely decease OF Dean Richmond wht
succeeded him in that Office, and who dieC
in 1867, broken down by excessive labor
and the constant strain upon his powers
physical and mental. Mr.. Corning was
ten years the senior of MIR. Richmond, and
vet he outlived him for one half that
period. Although OF large and power
fnl frame, hardened by much muscular
exercise, having been accustomed to con
stant manual labor in his Younger days
Mr.. Richmond was of highly sensitive
nervous organization. He was alert
quick in his movements, and impatient OF
delays OF any kinda habit of mind that
undoubtedly shortened his days.
He was associated with Mr.. Corning as
Vice-President of the Central, and they
acted together with great apparent har-
monv up to the time when Mr.. Corning
retired from the presidency of the com
panv No two men could be more unlike.
Mr. Richmond was hasty, impetuons, gen
erous, warm hearted, giving largely OF
bis ample means for charitable purposes
and for benevolent and philanthropic OBJ
jects; but he gave without system or
method, from impulse generally, but
sometimes to get rid Of annoying impor-
tunities. Mr.. Corning, on the contrary,
was cool, self-contained, with nerves of
IRON. never disturbed by any combination
Of adverse circumstances, and with a
| Seadiness and trmness OF purpose that
nothing could battle or sway.
! They were both ardent politicians, but
disagreed in respect to principles and
modes of action. Mr. Corning sympa-
thized with Marcy, Seymour, and Cros-
well. Mr. Richmond was a disciple of
the school of Silas Wright and only CO.
operated with Mr.. Corning after certain
portion OF the Hards became Softs, and
so assumed with the Barnnurners the con-
troll of the organization.
Mr.. Richmond devoted much time to
| politics, and to a cur>orv or superficial
! observer there was something eXtraordi-
nary and ineXplicable in the vast political
| power he 50 long welded. 1t was the
deliberate Judgment OF one who knew
him well-hinself Il gentleman of un-
common aculeness and discrimination
that at the time Of his death he exercised
an influence in the formation and direc-
| ton of public opinion second to no man
in the United States. And in this esli-
mate of the ability Of Mr.. Richmond, and
the commanding Importance OF his posi-
tion. those most familiar with the part he
performed in politics, State and national
will heartily concur. His abundant
means, which he dispensed with u liberal
| ity that knew no stint his steady refusal
of official distinction, his thorough knowl-
edge of men. and his almost unerring
sagacity, all conspired to give his sugges
tions q degree of weight generally con-
trolling in conventions as we'll as in pop
ular assemblages.
| As IN instance of his forecast reaching
| frequently to prescience. the opinion OF
| William l.. Marcy, as expressed to me,
touching the preliminary proceedings in
| New York, in regard to the Presidential
election OF 1892, may not be inappropri-
ately produced in this connection. "If |
had listened to the advice OF Mr.. Rich
mond, instead of acting upon my own
Judgment" said the far-seeing Old states
man, II should have been President of
the United States instead of Franklin
Pierce. The undivided support OF New
York would, as things turned in the Con-
vention, have given me the nomination.
Richmond foresaw the contingency which
there arose, and hence urged most siren
uously that the State Convention should
appoint the delegates to Baltimore in
stead OF renting the choice to the several
Congressional districts. My friends com
posed two thirds of the State Convention
and there was nothing inconsistent with
the usages OF the party or unusual in what
he recommended Still | was averse to
it, knowing | should have II ma ajority of
the delegation. He persisted, and while
his arguments had great force. reluct-
antly declined his proposition. He urged
that the division among the delegates
would be fatal to me that in order to
secure support from other States must
command the undivided vote OF New York
But Beardsley and Dickinson would OPP
pose my nomination, and with effect, al
leging that | could not carry my own
State whereas, if our delegation acted as
a unit. no such pretences could be set up.
The results vindicated the sagacity of
Dean Richmond. In fact his foresight
and penetration were rarely at fault.
never knew a safer adviser or a more far
seeing politician.
Richmond lost his father when but q
child, and he was thrown upon his own
resources, with a mother to support at an
age when more fortunate children are
acquiring the rudiments of an education
He engaged in the business of salt boiling
at Syracuse when mere lad, or at least
some years before attaining his majority
and while in the prosecution OF his busi-
ness he met with an adventure at Sackett'S
liarbOr, the result OF which illustrated
some of the peculiarites of his character
He was in the habit of visiting the lake
towns on Ontario, both on the American
and Canadian side, in the prosecution OF
the salt trade. Being detained at the
above named port, then familiarly known
as 'Sackett's" and justly regarded AS ONE
of the most dissipated places or the
frontier always invested with men %
vicious nclinations and profligate habit,
he had occasion to notice the knavisf
devices of a gang OF sharpers who made
it point to plunder every unsuspectine
man whom they could entice into thei
tolls. Among their victims was tin
peddler from Vermont. They had in
veigled him into a game at cards know
t as ",hree up and three Off" that is, three
cards constituted a hand and three point
2 the game. They soon won all his money
l the contents of his peddler wagon, ant
' the horse and wagon as well. The poo
| peddler, utterly ruined was in despair
and being a stranger in the neighborhood
? and destitute of resources, he knew no
: which way to turn. But relief came from
/ q quarter wholly unexpected. Youn
: Richmond, seeing the distress of the ped
J. dler, and penetrating the tricks by whic
# he had been defrauded. proposed to tax
n his hand IN the game The sharpers, de
il lighted at the prospect of a fresh victim
1 eagerly accepted his proposition. and st
It to work in earnest at their scheme {
J, plunder. But they had different perso
to deal with from the unsophisticated ver