New-York tribune., 1874-10-28
SPEECH OF EX-GOv. SEYMOUR.


There has been placed in my hands a docu-
ent said to have been put by the Republican State
Committee IN which Mr.. Tden Is charged with o re-
spOnsibity for election frauds acqut its Chairman,
Gov Morgan Of any share of the shame OF this
attack which can only excite the Indignation OF fair
minded OF all parties. He has too keen sense OF
honor and Of good policy to have anything to do with
this unworthy assault.
There is one statement in tho pamphlet which will re-
call to the minds Of the citizens OF New-fork claim
which Mr. Tlden has upon their respect and gratitude
II charges that when he was member Of the LeRsla
ura I'm 1872 that he was present and voted only 9S
times and that he absent and not recorded 1855
times when the votes were taken on subjects before
that body. There is not an honest man IN the COM
munity who does not rejoice that he was absent on
these occasions; there is not dishonest man who Will
not unite in the complaint that he was absent from his
seat when these taken for he was then de-
voting every hour OF his time every energy OF his MIND
every fiber Of his body to the publication Of the
judiciary, TO the impeachment Of corrupt judges,
to the relief Of the business men Of NewYork
from q sense of insecurity which threatened
disastrous consequences to this great metropolis He
was struggling to give to this city judiciary which
would make honest feel In the enjoyment Of
the rights OF personal property There Is not honor
able member Of the legal profession who will not bear
testimony 10 the great services rendered by Mr. Tlden
these respects while baed cOnsprator against
good government. every member OF the bar who had
peaehed Judges every Convicted WRONG win Join n
he complaint Of the Republican State Committee that
Mr. Tden dld not give ms whole time 10 the ordinary
ges to the extraordinary and imperative duty OF relev
ing city from the shame and danger Of the corrupt
The City of NewYOrk is the great monetary and com
mercial center OF our county, through a nearly al
chandse aud commodities are here interchanged with
all the regions Of the globe aud between different parts
nf panup fry md fs
people. Immense quantities OF them are here In transit
for sale The great trading ana business companies
corporations engaged In transportation have Offices here
European compauies as well as European merchants,
capitalists and have established agencies here.
Vast amounts OF funds negotiable securities and Of per
sona property are here for temporary custody. The
absolute safety OF this vast congregation OF movable
ITS freedom from detention and m0lestaon,
Is essential to the business which the life OF the great
in New-York half million IN Brooklyn, and more than
half million in ADJACENT places would find the sources
of these vast interests the continuance Of this immense
business the existence OF these 1000 of population
trustworthy and honest judiciary essential Even
suspicion OF integrity Of the administration OF JUS
tce would have been fatal TO all this prosperity Known
corruption In the judges would dry up the enrching
streams of foreign aud domestic commerce. There is
not merchant within its lnits. corporation which
seeks tO make tins the seat OF its operations mechanic
whose skill Is called into reQuistlon by its material
growth the humblest man of toll who abors for the
the character and conduct OF those who administer the
and protect the property and the personal rights
MR.. TILDEN AND THE RING.
In an evil hour the judges who controlled the admin
istraon Of justice over the metropolis had fallen into
For about three years the courts were the
scene of abuses which excited general alarm and dis
gust The instruments OF remedial justice, devised for
the equitable discretion Of the courts to save and
tec perverted into weapons OF attack against the
rights Of property, means OF harrassng ctizens into
Of their rights or into submission to the ex
or particular lawyers seemed TO abound Uncertainty
be obtained was generally felt Distrast everywhere
prevailed Great trading or business corporations were
n3 Ss @ aSn SdS do
SO. Contracts for the payment OF money during long
periods began to select otoer places OF payment
our judiciary discreded In the eyes OF foreign
ons sd G soo er Sns
became fragrant the leading members OF the bar and
or the purpose OF devising some remedy That was ve
years ago The prospect seemed gloomy Mr.. Tilden
reluctantly continued to mold his position as Chairman
future power to remedy wrongs, ae held It in defiance
Of the efforts Of the -. M TO GsaSe him few
the formation Of the Bar Association At their first
meeting he made speech IN ooider tone than any
II III. b. to become nss m, mode Of making money making
S.f desIsded iApp.ass merely Institution
1s 1s, v. s s sasss s
psu.e The bar il exist woa restore itself
the G1' :1s aS.sI Iss Vi. g %
pSS .' S" e.S s,s ,sd .oms mich n the
have reformed judiciary have the administration Of justice
pn sh. it formerly an hOaOr.bls and elevated
This. Il lnust be remembered, was when the Ring"
was at the summit Of its power-when the corrupt
judges dominated in the courts by & lawyer IN large
which resulted in the overthrow OF the Rng in the
City Government They sought to be restored by the
device Of q new charter, which contained provisions
giving to them all the power OF the City Government
for long series Of years. without any power in the
On the scene in speech on the 9Th Of April 1910 de-
nOunclng this charter. He was defeated The triumph
to have been carried by wholesale bribery of the
legislative bodies The law was passed by the
Under this charter the six millions robbery con
summated. Fifteen months later there was new
sion in the discovery OF ces and means Of carry
ing the people n movement 10 overthrow this corrupt
po wer and opportunity to work complete purihca-
famed OF cooperation the warfare he was
about TO make WELD the power OF the democratic
RSsS TaeS ensaed that celebrated contest in the
State Convention and before the people OF the city IN
which he put at hazard all pae S and per-
metropolis. A distinguished ex-Judge had truly said
that the Judiciary could never DO nrst
So Mr. Tden thought In the course OF his speech at
the Cooper Institute, demanding that overthrow no In
Per @v.ef would have gladly escaped the burden th. h,
upon up abroad to have .oms repose ssr twenty labor IN
profession was bec.ase e,aM no' rseeIes myself 70 consent
nj duty should finally withdraw from pubic Affairs TO
campaign to follow where any wond dare :" d 70 lead where any
xond de follow behalf of the principles OF American free
ernmsn the blessing Goi according to the nengh that h
given me IN you and faint and ter
vii stand bI civil shall be reformed
in the C New York but un the state Oh shall once
more have q pure and rrrproAchsbe judiciary
MIR. Tlden entered lnt0 au arrangement with Mt.
OC0Dor and Mr. Evarts whereby the Lee were 10 90 to
the Legislature for purpose OF securing purica-
ton Of judiciary and other measures OF reform. Ii
thought Of either TO go there on account OF the
ordinary legislative business OF the state II be-
leyed not only tnat specific objects mentioned
alone OF adequate importance to such an arrange
Concentration OF attention and efforts upon them in
order to insure any prospect OIL success subsequent
operation in the legislative bodies OF those dis
tnguised gentlemen Much as he amented this loss he
did not turn back having accepted tue nominaon to
tLe Assenhly and being elected he TOOK upon bmself