New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-10-06
DEMOCRHTIC REFNRM.

The most sangulne of independent voters
must give up the hope of any reform from TIE
Democratic party in the State Of NewYork.
Five or SIX years ago, when the whole country
was in revolt against Tammany Hall, Mr. Til
den and some other respectable Democrats be-
gan movement, when for while prom
ised important and permanent results
A determined assault was made upon
the ring which had so long controlled
the party. Some Of the leaders were
sent to jail. Others were driven into exile
The government Of Iammany was put into
new and comparatively clean hands. john
Kelly was substituted for William NJ. Tweed.
We were assured that there should be no more
stealing, no more false counting at the polls,
no more bribery at Albany and blackmaI at
the City Hall. That was not long ago what
mas become OF the Illden and Kelly re-
f0rmsl All the PRISONERS are out except
one and he has packed his trunk for removal.
The old leaders are last coming to the front
again. The pressure of TIE factions has be-
come so strong that John Kelly has given
way and quirrelied with Mr.. Tilden, and the
hungry followers OF Tweed, almost frantic
after so long an abstinence, are about to make
great rush upon the treasury, and piliage it
again az they did in the good old times.
Having depo'cd Tweed Mr.. Tilden, in the
prosecution of his projects of reform, next
turned his attention to the Canal Ring. As i'll
the attack upon the Iammany Ring, there was
a short and violent struggle. out OF which the
Governor came victorious The swindlers were
unmasked and suits were begun To recover
what they had stolen. What has become of
that reform Why, on Wednesday and Thurs
day, the leaders of the Canal Ring, in
stead of being in Jail, where they be-
lougcd, were sitting i'll the Democratic State
convention, making war upon the Ex-Governor
who exposed and the Attorney GeAeral who
prosecuted thcm and cheering wildly over
Mr. TIldcns final discontinue. TO fix the
alliance between the reform Democrats and
the anti-Grant Republicans, and to give a
guarantee Of the sincerity OF his actions.
Governor Tilden caused Mr.. Bigelow to be
nominated as Secretary OF State, and associated
with him in the prosecution of the Canal
King. Mr.. Bigelow performed faithfully the
important work of reform which was assigned
to him. What is his rewardS The Democratic
convention falls upon him with fury ana kicks
him out of the party; and As he disappears
with the rest of Governor Tiden's rcformers,
the riotous crowd at 1weddle Hall, recking
with rum and profanity, raises three mephltlc
cheers, and Jarvis Lord dances with delight.
Meanwhile, NJ 1ilden himself, having earned
an excellent reputation as reformer of all
manner of Democratic abuses, aQd champion
of the purity of elections, became "A candidate
for the Presidency of the United States, and
thereupon the fatality which attends ali Dem
ocratic schemes of reform speedily overlook
him. For 1t happened that IN the crisis of the
contest it became essential to Mr.. Tiden's
success that he should get just one more
vote. 1t was n terrible temptation.
Ind Mr.. 1lden yield That is IA ques-
ton not easily answered. The world
ouly knows that Geographic negotiations for
the purchase of Republican elector in Oregon
Immediately began, and tina. the Ncw-Yor
end of the wire terminated in Mr.. Tiden's
back parlor, where he kept bad nephew for
the purpose of attending to certain of his
private fairs. lust ~ MIR. Peter b. Swecny
used to keep a bad brother. If the purchase
was not actually made, 1t is only because Mir.
Tildcn refused 10 pay the money before lie
got the vote.
After these illustrations Of the course of