The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-07
A SECRET HISTORY.

GOVERNOR TuDEN's DEVOTION TO REFORM
PROVED AT THE RISK OF HIS POPULARITY
TRICK OF AN orFIcE-sEEKER cHEcKMATED-
NGERsoLL's EVIDENCE SECURED BIZ SOLEMN
TREATY.
ALBANY, April q, 1875,
The action OF Governor Tilden IN pardonlng
James II. Ingersoll one OF the convicted 'Ring"
robbers confined at Auburn PeniLentiary, was
day the a-absorbing topic az the State Capitol
The gross frauds OF the Caual ''Rtng"
seemed to have been forgotten, and
the political wseacres OF the State here
assembled, wondered and shook their heads mys-
terousy. Governor Tllden was wiling TO see
everybody to-day. Upon no other occasion during
the present session was he SO accessible. But
when the conversation branched or into the only
channel regarding which information was In de-
mand the pleasant old gentleman smiled sadly at
the corners Of MS mouth and said, MATTERS of
this sort do not seem to keep as they
used to. l regretted the publicity at this
time when l FIRST saw that the news
papers mad It; but l suppose IL would
have leaked out soon enough; perhaps irs just as
we'll" and this was the extent OF the information
| publicly given the reporters. Much more was
sad. but when the delicate question regarding
the Governors reasons for the act was approached
His Excellency simply had TO say that his vindica-
ton would appear in due time. Your correspondent
respectfully declined TO receive any information
under the pledge OF secrecy, although other cor
respondents did so receive il. He is. therefore,
able TO make the following authentic stStement:-
SAMUEL j. TrLDEN AS CITIZEN AND AS GOVERNOR
When the new law. framed for the purpose OF
reclalming the property stolen by the old 'Ring'
from the city OF New York, wen. into effect, 1t
was supposed that the same sources OF
information and the same signatures TO
the papers used by samuel J. Tilden
could be obtained BY Samuel. Tilden as Governor
or the State OF New York. IL was supposed that
the same zeal for reform which in 1871 swept the
metropolis from end 10 end and took form In
Committee OF Seventy, still existed IL might
| qure looking up, but Mr.. Tilden's and Mr.. Peck
\ hams confidence In human nature was
such that they believed each link OF the
chain or evidence to be within their
| grasp. To be sure, their mo% valuable
signatures, as well as assistance, had come from
| voluntary accomplices; yet the same great all.
inspiring motive to cooperation that had existed
when Mr.. ridden was engaged In his labor OF re-
form must be burning Just as brightly to-day. Tue
hearty longing for justice pure and simple, was
thing TO be relied upon. Such, in brief, was the
theory OF Governor Tilden and mis- friends; but
there always has been more or less difference be-
tween theory and practice.
THE POLICY OF THE RELEASE OF INGERsoLI.
There thing hat the snrewd politician
either forgot or overlooked. He may have remem-
| bered with pleasure that most or the prominent
members OF that wonderful committee had been
provided for; he may have had 1t in his mind to
appoint even more or them to places OF honored
distinction; but he forgot that Samuel ]. Tilden
stood TO the men who had gratuitousy
served him in very different relations from those
occupied by Samuel j. Tilden, Governor.
In the old days, when reform ran rampant in
! at-nrv me nss nd Mr. xuaS or nc
people, he was not in position TO reward his CO.
adiutors by eevatlng them above the common
level ana starting them the way toward dis
tinction. In the year or our Lord 1875 however
the change in the relative positions OF the two
parties 10 the reform movement is very no
tIceable. Mr.. Tiden happens, as the sole
result or this triumph over fraud, TO be In
position TO reward those who served
MIN. so long as he would be able TO dispense with
their cooperation. whether he would recognize
their claims or not rested solely with himself.
When, however their assistance again became
Indispensable It may only be natural that they ielt
Justified IN demanding recognition. Although 1
nave said nothing about Ingersoll / have mere told
the whole story or his liberation, and have lndi-
Gated q political crisis which may arise TO make
sucn a strange act as TINS on the part OF an Ex-
ecutive not only judclous. but vital necessity.
NOW to 90 deeper into details.
A SMALL MANS SMALL TRICK.
The entire mass 0! documents pertaining 70 the
civil suits be instituted and pushed TO the death
we're drawn up. copied and tied with red tape.
Tney lay upon the table OF Wheeler II. PecKham,
beautiful monument OF what legal learning, pa
thence and energy can accomplish; but they lacked
one taing-a mere formaty TO be sure, yet OF vital
necessIty-and that was the signature or one man,
who alone Of oil others ous OF prison. could supply
the connecting Ink q evidence. which IN
each and every document made Il "a casc.p A
formality Is sometimes troublesome obstacle. IL
became in this instance Insurmountabe. A for
mality became the cause or a most dangerous ex-
pcalent on the part OF a reform Governor. The di-
lemma o failure or these civil suits against
the '.llingn robbers was presented the one hand
4 and the grave political danger OF being misunder-
stood the other. As SAID, nothing was wanting
Il save the signature one man, a small individual OF
4 trinng political Importance, but a man or ambi-
\ tlon. 70 draw Il mildly, enc had hopes.n When,
therefore, this suave gentle ana heretofore tract
4 able person was sent tor, he made his appearance
/ in Mr.. Peckham's ONCE with all the humility Of
y saint but wnen the serious part OF the business
wa reached-ln other words, when he was
politely requested to append his signature TO
eacn OF the documents-he politely hut
nrmlg declined. There was Andrew H. Garvey,
VINO was valuable in his way, to be sure; but the
small politician whom only refrain from naming
because | aaye promised not TO advertise him)
became suddenly worth hundred Carveys to the
TGen party. 10 a friend OF the Governor, aside
he &C once frankly and characterstically ex
piaiued hts reasons anu stated hts hopes.
THE GOVERNORS RESOURCE.
The Governor was a. once urged to humor the
fancy or the man who neld IN his hands the Key 10
success or failure Of the great and much-adver.
tlsed civil suits for the recovery OF the cIty's
stolen money; out Governor Tilden was not to be
dictated 60 even by 50 important an individual.
He spurned the mans terms. All his friends then
had a ut or the "bues,'' which would have made
an angel sad. Young lawyers who were
to be drought out- as attorneys and manipula-
tors OF evidence for the leading counsel. were
sadly aQgrteved. TIE Governor was apprtsed or a