New-York tribune., 1873-02-04
THE REFORM CAMPAIGN.

| CoGENT REVIEW FROM sAML. J. TILDEF.
| To the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: If one were to attempt to correct every
ordinary error concerning himself which appears In
print the occasions Of controversy would be nconve
nently frequent for the avocations Of busy life. It
therefore, only in exceptional case that should
depart from my habit of leaving such errors TO answer
themselves to be refuted acts by the general
tenor OF my life But articles in TheEY Tunes for several
weeks past falsify the history of the events they
discuss by pervertng facts and suppressng others
that it is right and perhaps duty, TO yindcate the
| truth.
| begin by saying that am In no manner degree,
responsible for this controversy. have concerned
In attempt to appropriate 10 myself any OF
men, or to any party the merit OF having overthrow
| the Ring" AS credit with the public part Of
my motive, which only a OF duty, founded
the idea that every persona power trust have felt
sacrifice In awarding the liberal honors OF the
victory TO others. The Committee OF the Bar Association
will remember that when they came TO Albany with
their memorial the winning policy indicated was TO do
the work. bear the burdens, and besow others the
honors That policy, and the persistent forcing Of the
ISSUE in the glare Of vehement public opinion, stimu
lated by the nearly united metropolitan press did much
carry impeachment by four votes to coup
tions and combinations, In body which
| The Times has characterized as venal, and
| in which nearly every reform failed Even after
| the work completed and the Bar Association
met TO distribute honors stood among its members,
not to take any share 10 myself but TO join in well
merited tribute of thanks TO Messrs Van Cott Parsons
and stckney. believe those gentlemen would
that there time before the final vote in the As
semby when, without my individual cooperation theJ
would have hoped for which needed to be or
ganized after every Nor is it true that
at all disposed to withhold credit from The Times FOR
s services In the conflict Its statement that Mr. Hew-
tits civil word' the first It had received from
Democrat, is disproved by printed speeches; aud
when the project-aferward abandoned for the best
motyes-was entertainedof Offering it public testimo
nia applied TO by its friends TO on and asseDted
INSPIRATION OF THE ATTACKS
What the inspiration Of its attacks upon me dur
ing the last MONTH was too much out Of contact with
oil of information in current politics TO be able TO
ascertain Could be that its watchful rivals had dis
covered morbid spot which they delighted TO put
their fngers-had found they had only TO mention with
commendanon coworker in the Aght In order to pro
woke a column OF dotrsctioni waited. At last came
an article ascribng to plan to control Mayor Have
meyer; characterzing one OF the most active In
trguSrs Of the day." as attempting by underhsnd de-
vices cheat the Republicans out Of the fruit OF their
victory" and ascriblng to "laborious straagems-
wonderful mines and countermines." 1t asserted Of
me, He has hatched another magni6cent device,
and very likely supposes that the Mayor will lend him
self to it." 1t then added the Legislature will do
nothing of the kind" And it concluded" If party
victory to be claimed, claim il In behalf OF the Re-
publican party"
Next, comes a proposed Charter, containing most Of
the features OF the present Tweed Charter deny
ing Mayor Havemeyer all substantial power over the
workings the City Government, Of which he is the
nominal head putting him under guardians In the ex'
ercise Of the scanty authority doed out to him and
awarding Of the governmental power and the real
influence executive officers with long terms, practi
cally appointed by bill at Albany.
MAYOR HAvEMRYER.
Then anneara another column full of similar alegar
tions respecting aud Of what purport 70 be state
ments of facts Among them Is this " He ia SAID 70
have great influence Mayor Hayemeyer and 70 be
working hard drag the Mayor into his great recon
structon schemes Do owe it to his influence, that
the Mayor voted for Charles Shaw Counsel TO the
Board OF Health he being more familiar with poitica'
corruption than we hope Mayor Hayemeyer will bep
RELATIONS OF NoNPARTIsANs.
Now in the whole OF this Of statements, go far
as it relates to me, there is not single atom OF truth.
have not seen Mr. Haveneyer since December, nor at
any time since his election, except when met him on
the street, he called TO ask my opinion on some
question. have not recommended or suggested TO him
any human being office, any benefit within his
gift do not TO intimate that there would have
been anything improper in doing SO, but simply to state
the fact as 1t is. have not sought to influence Mr.
Havemeyer in anything whatsoever. II my opinion
would have any weight with him, or on any occasion
would be asked by him. it is because in almost thirty
years OF mutual knowledge he has looked into my mind
and heart and In instance has seen anything wbieh
was not frank true disinterested, and patriotic He
knows that If had the power, which do not pretend
TO have I would not defect him one hairs breadth
from the line of fidelity to bis peculiar
trust as non-partisan representative OF municipal
REFORM for the advantage Of any party clique OF man.
II he had to seek aid or counsel he would
begin by apoozing for troubling me-so well does he
know that my thoughts and tastes turn TO other Objects
when inclination Is not overcome by sense OF duty.
Az to Charles p. Shaw, do not believe should know
that gentleman II l to meet him; aud never
heard his mentioned In connection with any ap-
polntment until read OF his being voted for as counsel
to the Board OF Health The Times not only assumes 10
state with entire posityeness my plans ana thoughts
but also my arguments to Republicans. and my whispers
TO NV friends There not word Of truth Ia all its
statements have not had any plans OF reconstrucung
the Democratic party Of the city by aid OF patron
age from Mayor Havemeyer. do desire that the Or
gapzaon OF the Democratic party, and OF all parties
should be In the hands Of better class OF men than OF
late years have controlled them In my speeches dur
ing the years have constantly urged the idea
that without attention by our best men to their
respective party organizations good government es
pecially in great city like this, is impossible
Personal SACRIFICES DETAILED.
After l6 months OF engrossing occupation, I'D the
various controversies which grew out OF the munelpa
frauds and reform In the judiciary, CONSIDER the
work undertook. far within my power to be sub
stantally accomplished Except such matters az con-
cerned that work from day Of the election fhave
been totally withdrawn political action or thought
Tn that am still ready cooperate well ne in any
new Legislation necessary for the city But attention
has been occupied D repairing the long neglect OF my
priyats affairs and in getting ready 10 purpose
cherished for years, and which no veisstude in
State or National politics could have changed, wis., 70
renoyate my health by repose and travel The
and tho motive for which have deferred 1t Tor two
vears were stated in the following passage from my