The New York herald., 1878-11-29
ALVORD'S HISTORY.
"0ld Salt" Training for Speaker
of the Assembly.
HIS POLITICAL CAREER.
The Onondaga Statesman Makes
His Own Biography.
SYRACUSE, Nov. n, 1878.

Thomas G.. Alvord in either branch or IL Is eouctne
hike the play of Hamlet with the melancholy Dane
left out. Winter after winter "Old Salt" ~ the
veteran has been called by the press. has appeared
ut Albany regularly. almost as the beautiful snow'
His legislative career dates its beginning back over
quarter Of century and his presence at the State
Capitol in one capacity another has had hardly an
interruption in all that time. The electors Of his
district-the Third. of Onondaga-recognizs that
Tom Avord holds a mortgage his seat in tho
Assembly, and 1t will be an event in history when
some other man than he warns the cushion he has
sat upon. In the last he came ont the win
against the strongest democrat in the district
man who carried his ward. usually 200 republican.
By 100 majority. Tho rural districts. however.
came nobly to Mr. Alvords and he is returned
by majority of about 500.
THE spEAKERsHIP.
Mr. Alvord has just enough ambition to be candi-
date for the speakership of the incoming Assembly.
No man can lay greater claims to tho honor than
he. Oldest in point Of service in the
legislature he is a parliamentarian not even
second to Cushing and withal perfect encyclopedias
OF legislative knowledge. 1t would seem the correct
thing to place in his grasp tho gavel whose stroke
upon the desk will cali to order the first Assembly
session in the Capitol Building.
The other day the HERALD correspondent found tho
Governor ut his pleasant home in the suburbs OF the
city. He had just returned from an electioneering
tour up West where he found much favor candi-
diate for the Speakership The subject OF relating
his Legislative "reminiscences being broached was
kindly received. follows:-
Mr. ALvoRD-My dear sir. the demand You make
on my memory is almost startling. but the reminis-
rences Of the old Capitol now about be abandoned
for the new. crowd thick to ones mind that per-
haps may be able to give you something that will
<o+ he 80 a1ouo story how.
ever and may possibly test your patience.
CoRREspoSDENTL will take my chances. Governor.
on that score Firs. of ALL when did you first 60
the Legislature?
ASSEMBLY HISTORY.
Mr. ALvogp-I was first elected to represent Onon-
aaga county in the fall of 1S43. The old Capitol
building then just half its present age. Twas
of the House in 1874. At that time members Of the
Assembly elected the county ticket and ran
with Elisha Litchfeld of Pompey, our Speaker that
year; Warren Abbott, of Otisco. and Seth Hutchin.
son, OF Onondaea. the democratic ticket. OF
the four / am the only in the land of the
living. Hutchinson about my age
the others were older men. was not new
to the methods and ways OF the Legislature
when first sent there. having had the benefit OF the
experience obtained while at Albany, early as 1885,
while advocating and urging different measures af-
fecng the salt interest particularly the reduction Of
salt duties. The duty then six cents per bushe
or ,bt btf h al s sai' a sav
right here that later after the adoption of the cons
sutton Of 1s46 our present able senator fon. D. r
Mccarthy and myself were employed by the salt
people to secure permanent lowering OF the duties
Our efforts successful resulting III the reduction
TO the present point of one cent per bushel-
STORMY TIsfEs.
ConaEsPoNDxSr-was the Legislature tof 1884, in
which You made your debut brainy body. and who
were some of Your compeers
Mr.. ALvoRD-lndeed it There were many
strong men in the Assembly of ls44 among
spirit of the Constitutional Convention of 1s46 an
old war horse of the so-caled barn Burners man
who could draw unlimited fund of cloquence,
but at the same time very bigot in his opinions.
samuel Stevens. OF Albany, was another promi-
nent member At that time stevens was the
leader Of the wings. Judge Sampson. OF Mon
roe. who stood the foremost rank among
the lawyers Of the STATE also occupied .
seat in the lower House. Then there A. l.. Sim,
one of the most scholarly gentlemen OF his day ;
Horatio Seymour. whose fame. and need
no laudation from me; "ii.ism r. Allen, afterward
Judge OF the Court OF Appeals. whose recent death
after long and faithful service on the bench has called
forth many sorrowful expressions from all parties
Joseph s. Bosworth of New York. who is now in the
evening of life spent IN the service OF his fellow
citizens, judge, Police and Park Commissioner
h1ura n oi o.. ~ tna, .,re pe my ola nan ,rena n
Major Auguste Dayexac, French creole, born in
Louisiana, whose great distinction and boast was
that he aid to General Jackson at the battle OF
New Orleans. Major Davezac was = loquacious MEM
ber who had eloquence Of his which
he was not loath to use, matter what was
before the house His falling however was General
Jackson and the battle OF New Orleans and in all his
speeches they in for at least reference. il not
glowing panegyric. / remember winning Q
small wager from my friend Judge Allen one of
the Majors speeches. The canal claim was be-
fore the House. hy bet that / could
secure the Majors vote and voice for the
claim and that he would III advocating 1t speak of
jackson and New Orleans. ! sought out the gallant
In the gallery several ladies who had heard OF his
famous gift speech and flights OF eloquence aud who
in Albany for day only for the purpose
Of hearing him, succeeded in getting him
The claim OF q poor widow whose garden. it was
alleged had been sadly damaged by the enlargement
ar he Major floor asd
urged the widows wrongs with all his force.
Before closing sure enough he convinced the House
that the glorious victory achieved by Jackson at New
Orleans would have been in vain II the great En-
pire state was allowed to ie:aessly destroy lono
and Judge Allen promptly paid it
YoiiK's ABLE ECLEna
ConBEsPorDESr-Who was then Governor OF the
Mr. ALvonD-Pardon my depression. Obi yes;
William c. Bouck was Governor aud Daniel =. Dickin-
son Lieutenant Governor The senate, too, In those
days held some Of the greatest in the State.
and indeed In public life. onondsga's Senator that
year Elijah Rhoader. Among his colleagues was
b. r. H. Jones' Judge Scott Comptroller Dennison
Erastus Corning Comptroller John G. Wright, Cen
cral orvile Clark, Judge Foster, John Porter and
long line OF others. au men OF general INTELLECTUAL
weight.
CoHnyspoSDEST-At the next election. Governor.
were you returned 70 the Assembly,
Mr.. ALvoRD-No; not until ls5o was sent back
Albany the peoples representative was there,
however. nearly every winter up ~ thst time in the
interest OF our salt manufacture In that manner
kept unbroken nay knowledge OF and acquaintance
with all the prominent men in the State.
and remained posted pretty thoroughly on
Legislative matters. In that year 1 became
the democratic candidate for Speaker. and
was chosen for that position by plurality vote
the 2st day of the session. receiving J6 out OF liz
votes cast. My opponents in this Judge
Van yslkenburg-since Minister to Japan and now
Supreme Court Judge, in f1orida-and samuel A.
Law, the Know Nothing American candidate.
Van Valkcnburg resolved "a votes and Law only
2. The House divided into 81 democrats, u
republicans and 10 Americans. Judge Fullerton and
A. r. Laning we're members Of this body. In the
fall OF 1850 / ran for the Assembly again, but
defeated by Major General II. y. slocuIn. At the
breaking out of the rebellion | wSs nominated
for the Assembly by the union party, IL
was called, and received the Endorsement Of the
republicans. The democrats put no regular nominee
In the field against me. my only opponent being
Mayor G. r. Wiliston democratic stump candidate,
who received only small vote. That House pre-
sided over By II. J. Raymond the journalist. Among
IN. members who recalled as particularly pron-
pent were Mayor Banks of Albany Hssey. o. Cayuga.
nv The way member OF the incoming Assembly; Stet-
.a,, ~ Clinton. Julgn Prlngle. OF lcnesnn. Lndin