The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-01
The 9 Daily Areus,
ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS.

Continued from second page.)
Mr.. Tilden gave his chief attention du-
ring the session Of the legislature to the
promotion of those objects for which he
consented to go there. the reform of the
judiciary and the impeachment of the
creatures who had acquired the control OF
it under the Tweed dynasty.
HIS RECORD AS GOVERNOR.
Mr.. Tilden had thus. by his bold acts,
made himself prominent in the work OF re-
form, and recognized as the man to lead it in
the state. Prominent friends of reform ur-
ged him to accept the nomination tor gov
ernor
Mr.. Tilden ultimately consented to take
the nomination for governor, his objections
to which were overcome by single con-
sideration. 1t was the only way in which
he could satisfactorily demonstrate that
course of fearless and persistent resistance
to wrong will be indicated and sustained
by the masses of the people; that honesty
and courage are as serviceable qualities
and as well rewarded in politics as in
any other profession or pursuit in lite.
He was nominated and elected, and
whatever lessons or eloquence could be ex-
pressed in big majorities were not wanting
to lend their eclat to his triumph. Mr..
Illcen,s plurality over John A. Dix. the
Republican candidate, was 53,3l5. MIR.
Dix had been elected two years previously
by plurality of SO, 45l.
| The first message of Gov. Tilden fore
Swallowed with distinctness the controlling
features Of his administration.
| FirSt-RetOrm in the administration.
SecOnd-Ihe restoration of the financial
principles and policy which triumphed in
the election of jackson and Van Buren,,
and which left the country without dol
lar of indebtedness in the world and ia
credit abroad with which no other nation
could then compete.
On the 10Th of March, and as soon as
he had secured from the legislature such
additional remedies for official delinquent
cies as were requisite for his purpose, the
governor in a special message invited the
attention of the legislature to the mismagc =
ment of the canals,
He pointed out in this communication
with considerable detail the fraudulent
processes by which, for an indefinite per-
iod of years, the state had been plundered.
its agents debauched, its politics democrat
lied and it's credit imperilled. The full.
ness, boldness and directness Of his state
, ments produced profound impression, not
only throughout the state, but throughout
the country.
The legislature, though containing in
both branches many Of the most notorious
canal jobbers. and constituted largely in
that interest, was obliged to yield to the ir
resistible public sentiment which the cover.
nor policy and message had awakened, and
granted him the authority to name such g
commission, The results of the investiga.
tons, communicated to him from time tt
time during the summer of 1875 and tC
the succeeding legislature of 1876, arrested
completely the system of fraudulent ex
penditure on the canals which he had de
nounced at the bar of public opinion.
, Through the adoption of various Other
financial measures. upon his recommends
ton, and by the discreet but vigorous
, exercise of the veto power, the governor
was fortunate enough to secure reduction
of the state tax-the FIRST year Of his ad
ministration, about II per cent,-and e
inaugurate financial policy by which thu
state tax, which was y mills on the dol
lar of the assessed valuation when he cam,
DID,, into Office, Will be reduced to mills a
least at the expiration of his term of tw
years, and at the expiration Of the mex
succeeding year to not exceeding mills
Mr.. Tiden is now in the sixty third yea
of his age He is FIVE feet ten inches il
height, and he has what the Psychologist
call the purely nervous temperament, will
its usual accompaniment Of spare figure
blue eyes and fair complexion. His hair
originally chestnut, is now partially 81
yered with age.