The New York herald., 1879-09-29
GOVERNOR HOFFMAN SPEAKS.
The Democratic Split and
It's Causes.
TILDEN AND ROBINSON REVIEWED
Tammany's Grievances, Blum
derS and Errors.
DUTY OF THE DEMOCRACY.

Ex-Governor Hoffman's brief letter resigning the
position OF sachem of the Tammany Society imme-
diatey after tho adjournment of the Syracuse Con-
vention having occasioned considerable excitement
among the politicians, representative OF
the HERALD waited upon Its author for
the purpose of more fully ascertaining his
views the present situation in the democratic
party and the that have led to the exist
ing difficulties. The Ex-Governor was found in his
law Offices Broadway. where he is quietly pursu-
ing his profession. apparently unmoved by the sur
rounding excitement although quite willing to de-
fine his position and to give the benefit OF his coun
sci to tho party that twice elected him to thehghest
Office IN the State.
GOVERNOR HoFFMAN's POSITION.
The conversation opened by the inquiry
whether Governor Hoffman had favored the nomina-
ton of Lucius Robinson before the action Of the
Syracuse Convention.
prior to the meeting Of the Syracuse Conven-
hon." said the Ex-Governor. 'it became clear to me-
as I presume it was evident to many others.
that the unfortunate differences which had
arisen in the democratic party would call
ior the exercise Of much prudence, seh-de-
NAL and forbearance the part of those who had
influence in that body, if union and harmony were
to be restored and the democracy to enter upon
this years important campaign with good pros
pect of did hope that the proceedings Of
the Convention would be marked by moderation
aud by disposition to ignore personal objects
and ambitions in the interests OF the party The
advantage which victory III this State now
will give to one or the other of the political organi
cations in next years Presidential contest is we'll
known that it appeared to me improbable that DEM
ocrats would persist in keeping alive quarrel in
which no party principle was involved. regretted
that the efforts toward Cancellation failed. but when
the will of the majority Of the Convention had been
expressed felt there was nothing for democrat to
do but to respect the decision however much con-
dicted with his own Wishes wrote the brief let
ter resigning my position q sachem OF the Tam
many Society because desired it to be clearly un-
derstood that I could not. in appear
ance for . single day sanction the act
of tho delegates who left the Convention.
however much might deplore its failure to con-
code something to the cause Of union and har-
mony."
'what parties do you regard as the most re-
sponsible for the present troubles in the
partyr'
al do not think it expedient at this time to say
anything that may widen the breach between
those who ought now to be working together
to restore democratic ascendancy in the gov
ernment of the United States. 1t should be
existing wounds rather than to inaame and irri-
tate them. There is no doubt however, that the
disposition to make the democratic party a sort Of
personal property and 1t for the purposes Of
individuals Lies the foundstion OF the present
dificulties."
PERSONAL CLAIMS ON THE PARTY.
"Has not this personal claim on the party existed
since Mr.. Tilden was first elected Governorp'
$50 far as the State organization is concerned it
has. Mr.. Tilden's administration creditable to
himself and to the party that elected him. It,for-
tunatey for him, had the great advantage Of being
the first administration held under the amended
constitution which prohibited the passage OF private
aud local bills by tho Legislature and gave the Gov
ernor the power to veto items in an appropriation
bill while approving the rest or the bill In the
four years during which held the executive Office
had the opportunity to learn how powerless the
Governor OF the State was to prevent corruption and
government. The canals and the State pris-
ons wholly beyond his control He
could not prevent unjust awards and Legislative
grants to contractors for damages and extra
compensation. and the Legislature held him almost
at its mercy in the matter Of appropriations. The
Supply bill, 80 called, never came to him till the
close of the session. and he could not object to
single item however Questionable. without vetoing
the whole bill and stopping necessary supplies for
the government. The evils then existing were
pointed out in my Message in 1872. In which
Commission which subsequently perfected the
amendments adopted by the people and incorpo-
rated into the constitution in 1874 aud 1876. The
people these reforms to their own sound
Judgment, but Mr. Tilden deserves credit
for the ability with which he used the advantages
Afforded by the constitutional amendments to mako
his administration popular with the taxpayers who
then nrst felt tho benefits Of the Limitation legis
lative power and the increase Of Executive power"
rHE CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION.
"Tho commission that framed and submitted tho
constitutional amendments prohibiting the passage
OF local and private bills, empowering the Gov
to veto some items in appropriation bills
while approving others. cutting OF awards tor extra
compensation and damages and placing the canals
and state prisons under q single responsible head
was appointed during your term OF office. was 1t
notY'
..Yes. The Legislature passed the law creating
the commission ~ had suggested in my Messagei in
1872. and the commission was appointed by me.
claim credit for these amendments, however, other
than tor having suggested the Importance of them
and practical inexpensive and prompt method Of
placing them before the people by the creation Of
that commission. consisting of thirty-two members
taken equally from the two political parties OF the
snt;siea 10 the srst of dopnr this and
perfectng the legislation necessary to carry it into
practice. When the commission met 1t was found
body than largo and costly Constitutional
Convention like those of 1867 aud 1864.
Of 1872 were adopted and reported by the commits
sion, which plainly what three years experience
in the Executive Office had taught me necessary
to protect the State from needless and unjust expen
ditures, to make the administration ot the canals
and State prisons less costly and more effective. and
check legislative corruption. In accomplishing
these reforms republican legislatures and
republican Governor, Dix are entitled to their full
share of credit we'll democratic executives
and prominent democrats in the Legislature.
Our present Governor. Lucius Robinson, ono
of the thrty-two constitutional commissioners ap-
pointed by me. ana the two amendments relating to
the canals and the State prisons dad not become opcr
atve until after his election to tho executive Office.
! think he will admit that much of the of
his administration s due to the saving effected aud
tho efficiency secured by those amendments"
TILDENs ADMINISTRATIONS.
'what IL your opinion OF the political features Of
Mr.. Tildcn's administration and their bearing on the
present democratic troublesY
"a Governor Of tho State elected by great polit
cal organization has double duty to perform, rst
10 the state aud next to his party He becomes from
his position the recognized head of his party and no
should stand neutral in its local quarrels. 1t
unfortunate that Mr. Tilden, as he became
Governor, ignored separated himself from nearly
all the old democratic leaders In the State with
ho had been long ana intimately associated,
and gathered about him number OF personal al.
herents. who hedged him in and kept away from
him those who, by experience and position. were
able they willing to give BIN good advice and
aid u M rats