The New York herald., 1874-09-07
TIVE POLITICAL field.
Talks with the Leaders Of Po-
litical Opinion.
THIRD TERM POSSIBILITIES
The Gubernatorial Contest and Prob.
able Candidates.
DIX AND TILDEN CANVASSED

As faithful reflector OF public sentiment the
HERALD gives to-day another instament OF the re.
suits or its reporters interviews with some OF our
most influential citizens OF various shades OF poll
tical opinion representing the best thought of
hrst men IN the several party organizations on the
political problems OF the day and the outlook for
coming compaigns up to and including tnat Ior the
Presidency in the autumn of 1876.
John Kelly on the GOvernOrship.
representative Of the HERALD yesterday
visited Mr., John Kelly, when the following con.
versatiOn took place.
"Mr. Kelly, have you any objections to give me
your views as to who will be nominated at your
state Convention, which meets on the 10th at
Syracuse, and to answer me such questions as
may put TO you, which shall relate entirely to
politics and the coming election 2"
mo, l have no objection, providing that your
questions will relate to matters purely political"
"Mr. Kelly, are you in favor Of MIR. Tilden's
nomination for Governor ?"
Eyes, am.n
''DO you deem him to be as strong as some Of the
other names which have been mentioned V'
eyes, sir. Mr.. Tilden Is a strong man, politically
in my opinion, our strongest man-and peo-
pie who know him I have known him for the
last thirty years have the highest esteem for his
character. He has never sought ONCE nor ever
held but two offices in his life. Once he was Cor
poration Attorney-I think 1t was in 1912 or 1s4S-
and member of the Assembly in lS46 and 1871.
oh, yes, recollect he was also member OF the
State Convention which was called in 1s4e to
adopt a new constitution for the State OF New
York, and was the author OF that provision OF tho
constitution which gives the power to the Legis-
lature 10 regulate the affairs OF railroads. Yet
there are lew men In this community that have
done more actual political service disnterestedly
than Samuel J. Tilden.n
"Did you read the articles pnblished IN the
HERALD lately, in which 1t Is stated that there was
an understanding between you and Tilden IN re.
lation to his resignlng as Chairman Of the State
Central Committee?n
AYES, read those articles, and the one IN ref.
erence to myself and Tden having an understand
ing is a mistake. When Nh. Tlden left the city
year and q half ago for Europe his intention was
TO have remained abroad for year. and it was
only because OF the earnest opportunities OF his
clients last September, when the financial troubles
took place, that ne consented to return. He made
a great sacrifice in 30 doing, and it was entirely
owing to the obligations of duty which he con-
ssidered himself under to his clients, and
with view 10 the protection OF their
interests, that induced MIN to return.
Many OF them. no doubt, were saved
from bankruptcy by his timely advice and good
Judgment The letter to which the HERALD re-
fers, which was addressed to me- was written in
good faitn. and presented by myself to the Con-
vention, knowing well that he meant every word
that he wrote. His letter was not a resgna alton
of the term about to expire, which might have
been addressed TO the secretary OF the commit
toe, but declep sion OF reelection by the State
COMMITTEE and had to be communicated to that
body, to which no delegate had been chosen or
0ficer appointed at the time when the letter was
written. 1t was only at the solicitation of some
of the delegates from other districts that I con-
sented to offer the resolution TO make him dele
gate at large a compliment and out OF respect
to one who had rendered such long and signal
services to the party; feeling at the time that
while he would not be able to perform any of the
duties Of Chairman OF the State Committee the
prestige OF MS name would materially aid US
politically in the canvass"
"Was Mr.. Tilden made candidate by the pres
eDt organization OF Tammany Hall ?"
'No, sir; first heard his name mentioned last
April by gen tlemen from the interior counties as
an available man."
HAS not Mr. Tllden made some exertton him.
self to get his Rame before the public 9"
mo, sir; think not. II is only about month
ago that mentioned the subject to Mr.. Tilden at
cACcpG ia I'LL luueuulJc way, ana Ln0n ne
stated that he would not consent to be q candt-
date unless he felt that the nomination would
come to him with some unanimity, and that by &C
cepting q nomination he could in some way be of
benefit to the party and TO the people of the city
and State. Mr.. Iilden has never forced him
seif % upon the people or conventions. and
mind were known, that he would prefer to live in
privacy rather than accept the onerous duties in
ctdent to place OF such great Importance as
Governor OF the state OF New YORK. 1 presume.
however. that Mr.. Tilden is like other men or
usually fights back"
"What Is your opinion as to the number of votes
he would receive In this city If he be nomnated9'
"My candid opinion is that he would lead the
republican candidate by $4,000 or 10000 votes, per-
''Wm ne run as well in this city and State, do
you think, as any other candidate who could be
nominated by your partyf"
Don't you think that the friends OF the old
Ring will make strenuous exernons against himf'
interest Is broken and scattered and not of mucn
account What be would lose from that source
he Will greatly ulore than make up OF men belong
ing to the republican party who are c0gnizant of
his aid and assistance, with other gentlemen, such
as MIR. O'Conor, IN bringing the members or that
Ring to justice. Such services should not be read
lily forgotten nor overlooked 1t was a hercuean
task TO accomplish what Mr.. Tllden and other gem
tlemen did in these matters. 1t was mainly
through Tilden and his associates that the judges
were impeached and that Tweed and lngersOll
we're convicted, and am inclined to believe that
-cty arise from the fact that their sympathzers
are sounding the keynotes OF their allen l-1ends"
railway companies OF this state p"
mo. He has little or no interest In railways in
the state OF New YORK; none in the great rail.
roads, such as the Central and Erie, nor In any
except some little AFFAIRS which he helped in or
der to benefit the place where he was born"
"Will You tell me- then, how lt is that his name
10 mentioned in connection with railway compa-
MES, being an officer and large owner in several
,Of themY"
II presume that II arises from the fact that
nnch OF his law business has come to him from |
railroad companies. HIS long experience In draw
ing up instruments relating to the organization of
those companies enables him TO comprehend the |
dfcultes incident to the laying out OF routes and
OF the laws Of the several states through which |
railroads are built. He has, too, a strong mathe.
matical mind, and there Is no man perhaps IN the |
United states that understands the geography |
OF the country better than he, and hence his |
services have always been sought for by railroad
companies and those people who are uniriend|y TO
Mr. T1lden would use such arguments against him