The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-07-28
from the Insurance Times, May, 1876,

FROM klG INSURANCE MAY, 1910,
Eeformers, even those who prove effective,
are divided into two wholly dIstinct classes
Their are those who are devoted to the reform
they advocate from purely patriotic and unset
fish motives, and there are those who take up
the cry OF reform with the vie of winning the
confidence and applause of the people, and
thus riding into place and power. Reform
With the latter is merely the ladder OF their
ambition, They sometimes introduce aud car
~ forward wholesome reform with great &C
tlvty, bOdness and zeal, but yet, as their
motives are impure, and their professions in
sincere, they are untrustworthy and dangerous.
Tor they only await an opportunity to profit by
a desertion OF their principles and betrayal OF
their cause, These designing men are unfor-
tunately very numerous, and, not wlthstandng
the brilliant impfe ssion Governor Samuel j,
TIlden has made on the public mind by the ex-
posure OF frauds perpetrated by certain canal
rings, and the praise we have been compelled
10 award him for his efficient championship OF
the interests Of the people, we have too much
reason TO suspect that even he belongs to this
class.
There are times when men Of his stamp, If
they imagine that the eye OF the public is not
on them, Will betray their true nature. We
once had occasion to observe Governor Iilden
under temptation of this kind, and we regret
10 state that be shrank and SUNK away from
his duty. We refer to his desertion OF the
peoples cause when George W. Miller, ex-Su-
perluteUQenJ OF lueurance, Nas tIleO Dy the
Legislature OF this State Tor extortion and
malfeasance in Office. The guilt OF the delin-
Quent superintendent far exceeded that of tue
fraudulent contractors IN the canal rings. The
effects OF their crime we're confined to the NAL
appropriation OF the peoples money and the
immoral influence which corruption always ex-
erts. But George w. Miler's outrageous
abuse Of his authority and power nearly ruined
one OF the greatest interests in the country,
brought poverty and desolaton to countless
hearths and homes, and many years must
elapse before its evil results will cease to be
felt. Mr.. Tilden knew these facts perfectly
well. and he knew that the accused was guilty
lie felt that it was the duty OF the Legislature
to expel the offender from his Office, but in
stead of fulfilling his part like an upright man
and genuine reformer, when the vote was about
to be taken, he rose from his seat left the as
sembly hid away ia the cloak-room, and did
not return until George w. Miler's fate was
decided.
Tllden did not dare appear openly in the
guilty superintendent favor, for fear that his
political rivals and opponents should quote his
vote against him and expose his inconsistency,
and vet as Miller had at that time still power
fu friends IN the Democratic party, and was
always willing to do its dirty work, Tilden was
equally anxious not to excite his hostility
Tllden was therefore trimming with his incest
skill. He had watched the committees pro-
ceedlngs and listened attentively to the debate
the preservation OF insurance companies from
exhaustive oppression and the insurance de-
partment from utter decentralization and dis
grace. that Miller should be punished With
exemplary severity and we therefore demand
what right had he, protested reformer, to
run away IN this case from his manifest duty
The truth il that he is great and ostentatlous
reformer when reform pays and he can manu-
facture political capital out OF 1t, even to the
extent OF securing the nomination for the
Presidency of the United States. But, we ask,
Is sham reformer and trimmer worthy OF
that exalted position?
To further test Gov. Tilden's sincerity, and
TO ascertain whether he is superior or entirely
subject to merely party considerations in his
nominations for Office, we appealed to him. TO
appoint to the vacant State insurance superin-
tendency the man who is admitted by all i'm
partial minds, who understand the subject, to
be IN every respect the fttest for the place
But Gov. fden could not rise so high as 10 q
practical independence of party, and deter
mnation to consult the peoples interest at the
hazard OF giving offence TO his political parti-
sans, and the opportunity was lost. He is
evidently man with whom selfish aud party
e1pediency rules supreme, and with whom a