New-York tribune., 1873-02-07
MR. TILDEHS LETTER CRITICISED.

SIR: At the expense of appearing to be
champion of a newspaper which trust. ignoranty and
wifuy, has been severe me, must take eXcep-
ton to some portions OF the communication 70 your
paper of yesterday, signed 5. j. Tilden." l do not
write purpose taking ota from the reward
due TO Mr.. Tden for his honest, earnest and efficient
work in the direction Of reform your city, but simply
because such statements his, however wrong or mis-
taken they may be- II uncOntradcted at the time, make
history and aware as 1 am OF his grave mistakes and
msstatements in regard to the action OF the Assembly
and managers in the matter Of the impeachment OF
the Judges for cannot consent that such
8 version shall obtain without at least protest on my
part
Let me say here and for myself that in the selection OF
the managers not consulted 10y any considerable
body OF the Assembly, did undertake to influence
any member to his choice. In the making up OF my
ticket had first placed upon it the OF dstln
guished Speaker Henry Smith. because OF my sincere
conviction OF both his great ability and strict integrity
when through a member in his confidence was in
formed that he would not serye-and only then-I
dropped his name; voted from my convictions OF duty
for Messrs g. j. Tden, Tobey and Strahan, leaving of
the names Of Messrs. Niles, Hayes, and myself who
were with others the chosen It perhaps may
be becoming, but cannot refrain from here saying
that when found myself selected by vote Of 100
poll of 49, was proud Of the confidence reposed IN
me by my fellows
Permit here to extract from Mr Tdens letter that
THE BATTLE PoR JUDICIAL REFORM.
was ihe opinion Of our bes. men A. Il wlS ny own TIA, reform in
Of the supreme Coart oay ndnsca toe import
1s 20 'sf bog SS & .y a other S you'd oro9s n2aso1 t and
1at !se opPof'Sng Of sieSs a! i1S Ia s session eGa not BE
subject to the loeblo evils ami scandals which hsd
s sHs sS sSSG5 5 a. ' 70 s1i 5 5s,S o h o So
the bench and the bar With nrprebs had
often questioned With Mr. Coao whether those
bad ceased % be dependent or livelihood professional earnings
t open to the younger members Of TIE profession better future
and profes, woU Incompatible peualry success
Ihl advised q Pnei' Kaa WIG came herr % eea career
youa man would BE- epose In the heat o an spee
seemed 20 ne paramount duty 20 pe movement for shat
object sih all the concentration ai persistence suces
when anything which possible % do could be safely omitted There
the bad rescued early tue kuONdgo Of Mr.
Peckham Mr. OConor aud e that fund attempted
purpose eOrrupug The Committee and Assembly
the Interest Of the accused Judges Bsen aer tue Impeachment
manage-the lost ground was promptly ree9yeed BY measure lo
to be sasistacOpto The Bar Association.
say Mr.. Tden and TO the world, that thero never
was in my miud nor do believe In the minds Of the
majority of the Assembly of 1872 eaynE out Mr. Tlden)
any doubt but that, fully and fairly presented, tho allie
cations against the corrupt Judges would result either
their Impeachment recommendation to the Governor
and Senate for their remoya this would have been the
same IL Mr. Tilden had not been member OF Assembly,
although willing TO admit that he was OF great and
grave Importance Of the investigating committee.
The Bar Association did high honor In their selection
OF myself to introduce their memorial That memorial
broad and general in its allegations, but vague and
impersonal in its charges by my suggestion 80
changed to read specifically both the character
the otenses and the persons OF tho glty. honor,
and all should hOuOr ,and praise that Association for
their personal and professional bravery in consentng
such change and for taking upon themselves the risk OF
the loss OF all future usefulness and success
the price OF failure 20 substantate their charges
as to procure the conviction OF the offenders.
AS tn he
eopd IL iotimatedI do NOS believe t IA tr1etbat NJ
any time there attempt TO influence It's action by
unlawful corrupt means. In reference to the Ju
dcIary Committee can only say that my confidence I'm
their Integrity, ability, and determination TO do their
whole duty altered From frequent conversations
and conferences with individual members OF that Conn
mittee l was from upe " time satisfied THAI they
meant to and would do ali that could be required Of
them to DO and have yet to learn that any one had
ing majority OF that Committee could DO sweryed bylany
appliance a hairs breadth from the consummation Of
their honest convictions
Now do not know but that general despair was felt
at the choice OF managers but do know that 8 J. ~
den did not in the slightest degree affect control either
through the Bar Association or otherwise the selection
OF know arther the Bar AsSDn % ea bt
1t distinctly, and as think CORRECTLY refused 10 inter-
and without dissent. unanimous in the seecton Oh
Judge Van COtt and Mr.. Parsons AFTER consulSauuh
with Mr Hustled aud upon our mutual agreement he
moved and voted with him. for the employment OF
Messrs Iden. Foley and Strahan The majority OF Tue
Commttse dd not agree to proposition My towns
man Jndge Comstocs was unanimously invited TO act |
as counsel He declined on account OF prior engage |
ments; aud then with equal unanimty we enderel the
poson the Hon. Francis Herman who declined Tor
the reasons and we finally employed Judge frau
AZ the solicitation and request OF the managers the Bar
Association very properly gave us the eoieut ana OF hr
stckuey may not have performed my duty as mana
ger but chairman OF the managers can bear testimony
10 the fidelity each OF the others IN the trust imposed
upon them 20 their anxiety ana untirng en)rt TO do
each his whole duty the result - history, aud desire
10 say In conclusion that while honor and esteem Mr
Tden. and believe him TO be an honest aud true Reform
or vet still must believe that OardOz0 would have
signed McCunn would have committed suicide. and Bar
nard would have Doon lmpeAched and removed from |
oftce II samuel J. Iiden had not been as he wu,l
honorable member OF tho Assembly IT 1874
Syrac,.ss n X. Fob O. 1871 THOhAs u ALy0ao.