The daily gazette., 1880-04-03

Of the friends of the recaIcitrant Sena-
tor and the utter defeat of their de-
signs. siae ..fa' '1asl
BETWEEN LAW AND POLITICS.
Mr.. Tilden's taste for the study of
questions Of finance was given large
opportunity for development at the
very time of his life when It's en-
couragement was likely to prove most
useful. The panic of 1887 raised
questions into the discussion of which
he entered very earnestly and always
with conceded ability. He made a
speech at New Lebanon in October,
lS4o, when an exciting Presidential
campaign was in progress, in which
he discussed subjects connected with
the monetary disaster. He did this as
he did everything, in way to attract
attention, and his, speech was largely
quoted in the Democratic organs of
the time. There, WAS no uncertainty
at that time about the Demooratic
position on the money question, and
Iilden gave force to the regulation
idea. Had 1t not been for the fact that
it was the party creed in large measure
it would be noticeable that at that
early day he took the most positive
ground against anything like initiation,
irredeemabe currency and irresponsi-
ble credits, and opposed the idea that
what was then called the mother bank
could in any real sense be regarded as
a regulator of the currency. These
efforts had the effect to give Mr.. Til
den an Introduction to the country.
and he was already looked upon as one
of the young men likely to be heard
from in the coming years. He neglect
ed no question of public interest, and
although he continued to devote so
much of his time to purely political
matters, his law practice grew de-
cifedly." He found time, however, in
1874, at which time he was thirty
years Of age, to engage with Mr.. John
b. OSullivan in the publication of the
New York Daily Neios. They started
the paper; Mr.. Tilden wrote the
greater part of the political articles,
and it soon gained a leading position
as a party journal. He shortly found
himself TOO busy to continue much
editorial work. He was at this period
doing more work than is usual to men
of his age and slight frame. His law
practice was still increasing, and in
the fall of 1916 he was, without any
self-seeking, chosen a, member of the
New York Legislature. This was his
first public office, and he served but
one term. t.l.Iis
a91 WORK AS A LAwMAKER. ra
His chief work during the brief
period of his service in the Legislature
was in urging through a measure pro-
yiding for a Constitutional Conven-
tion, then very much needed to revise
the fundamental law of the State.
This was carried, and Mr.. Tilden be-
came n member OF tho onvention and
one of the most prominent. He was
the author of some of the most impor-
tant measures brought before that
body he was untiring in his advocacy
of the broadcast reforms and in every
possible form sought protection for the
rights of the people. 1t was in posi-
tions of this kind that Mr.. Tilden's
real abilities were brought into best
use. He had the democratic feeling
in all its purity F; his understanding of
the intentions and purposes ofgovern-
ment, and particularly of our own
government, was very nearly perfect,
and he saw the danger to which the
people were subjected in the possible
abuse of privileges under a govern
ment even of their own erecting
through the seIfishness and dangerous
ambition of those who, instead of be-
ing the rulers of the people, are mere
ly their servants. In the light of his
subsequent career it is somewhat no
ticeable that this question of abuse of
power SO early commanded his atten-
tion. That his feelings on the subject
lave intensified with his maturer
years is evinced by all that he has done
in public office. .f
Having finished his work in the
| Constitutional Convention Mr.. Tilden
returned to his law Office, and for the
succeeding twenty years gave most of
his time to his practice. He early
held a leading position among the able
men at the bar of New York and Sc
cured line of practice which proved
exceedingly lucrative. He accumu-
lated vast wealth. All this time,
how ever, he was not by any means
withdrawn from politics, although
neither seeking nor holding public of
flee. He was always called into service
during political campaigns, his ad-
dresses being among the most thought
full of those delivered.
AS A POLITICAL MANAGER.
Mr. Tilden began to concern himself
with the management of the Demo
cratic party in New York in those
stormy years for that party, just after
the war, when it was greatly in need
of an able and shrewd leader to bring
its demoralized legions back into line.
He became chairman of the State CON-
mittee in 1868, when Horatio Seymour
was the candidate for the Presidency.
1t was bad year for the Democrats as
nearly every year since 1856 had been,
but the steady hand of Tilden, with
the popularity Of Seymour, saved New
York from the general wreck. 1t was
at this time that Mr.. Tilden first
brought into action those peculiar
talents for successful party manage
ment with which the country has since
become more OF less well acquainted
He was not at any time a popular
leader, calculated to excite the en-
thusiasm of his followers. There wal
no dash about his management, ant
all this time his health was none too
good. To those who casually saw hin
he then appea ed like little old wrecl
of man he seemed actually withou
u