The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-07-06

worse as governmental institution. The EX-
ecutive Department swallowed up all the local
powers, which gradually became mere deputies
Of legislators at Albany, on whom alone they
were dependent. 1t became completely organ
lied on the LIST of January, 1869. But its power
was enormously extended by an act passed on
the 9th of April in the following year, giving
the power of local government to "a few ind-
Viduals Of the ring for long periods and freed
from all accountability. Within a month after
the passage of this Tweed charter Of the Board
OF Special Audit were making an order for the
payment of over six millions of money, of
which it is now known that scarcely 10 per
cent. in value was realized by the city. Over
$3.50 900 were sent to Albany to be distributed
among the members Of the Legislature.
la 1870 Mr.. Tilden issued letter to some
Seyenty-sN thousand Democrats, reviewing the
situation and calling upon them ''to take a knife
and cut the cancer out by the roots" 70 the
honor of the Democratic party of the city and
State, on the issue thus made up by Mr.. Tilden
they gave him their cordial and irresistible sup
port The result was overwhelming, and not
only changed the city representation in the
legislative bodies of the State, but in its moral
effect, crushed the ring" Mr.. Tilden was one
of the delegates chosen to represent the city in
the next Legislature. In Difference to the views
Of his principal coadutorS, Mr.. Tilden devoted
the six weeks interval between his election
and the meeting OF the Legislature to the prose
cutlon OF its investigation in the city depart
llCulS. diit tllC dSl ludSS vi dCCu-
rate information which was the basis of nearly
all the judicial proofs that have since been EN-.
ployed successfully in bringing the members of
the ''ring" to justice or driving them into exile.
He gave his chief attention during the session
of the Legislature to the reform of the ludici-
airy, and the impeachment of those who had ac-
CURED the control of the city under the Tweed
dynasty. Prominent friends Of reform urged
him to accept the nomination for Governor.
They said he could be nominated without diff
Guilty and elected triumphantly, and in his tri-
umph the great cause of administrative reform
would receive an impulse which would propa-
gate it not only over the whole State, but over
the Union. AS is well known, he ultimately
consented, and was triumphantly elected over
the most popular man the Republicans could
oppose to him. His first message toreshadowed
with dstnctncss the controlling features of his
Administration. First-Reform in the Admin
istration. Second-The restoration of the IL
nancal principles and policy which triumphed
in the election Of Jackson and Van Buren,, and
which left the country without dollar of in
debtedness in the world, and credit abroad
with which no other nation could then com
pete. How thoroughly he has carried out these
pledges the enthusiasm of the people over his
name at time when reform is the primary
consideration testifies.
in appearance Mr.. Tiden is scholarly and
cultivated. He is five feet ten inches in height
and he has what PSYCHOLOGISTS call the purely
nervous temperament, with its usual accom-
paniment of spare figure, blue eyes and fair
complexion. His hair, originally chestnut, is
now partially silvered with age.