New-York tribune., 1881-03-24
OLD-TIME POLITICS.


BERs OF THAT BODY, ApDs A CHAPTER Io MIS-
TBURLow WEEDS "REMINISCENCES OF 1HE AL
navy REGENCY AND THE PRESIDENTIAL con-
TEST OF 1924
the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Ihaye lately received, nnder the Osweeo
postmaYk Il suppose from Mr. Bronsonl copy OF q
New-York paper containing review ofthe incidents
Of the Presidential campaign OF 1S24 so lar as 'hoS
came under Mr. Bronson's observation at Albany.
This has been supplemented by copy OF IHE lRiS-
rNE of January l, containing letter from my oiu
friend Thurlow Weed reciting his experience on tne
Same subiect Mr. Brons0n's letter appears to have
been provoked BY what he deemed an unjust cri'i-
csm of his course on that occasion. Ar. Drcnsoh
and myself it seems, are the two solo Surviving
members he of the Ssnate and of the Assemoly OF
the memorable Legislature OF '24-nemoraoie rs
we'll for the great number of very able men OF wh'cn
it was com3osed as for its political action. retain
a vivid recollection Of the events OF tnat year.
though since theE more than half century OF hoe
idle time has passed. 1t was my first lesson on so
broad field and it's teachings have not been with
out their use. At this distance of time. can CON-
nrebend some of the difficulties of Mr.. BrOnson's
position, from my own experience
The first move on the Electoral question was made
in the House by Mr.. Wheaton, member from New
York, afterward Minister to Sweden. The House
was not fully organized for business. / was sitting
with A. c. Flagg st the time, drawn together, sup
pose by the similarity of our business occupations
Objections were made to the reception of Mr.. Whea-
toms resolution, on the ground that it was
ont of order. The real objection was
that the movement took the question out
of the hands of our party" Flagg was indignant.
What was to be done Isuggested committee OF
nine. one from each Senatorial District with one
extra member for Chairman. Flagg had the advan-
tage of years experience in the Legislature ana
insisted OH his offering the substitute. He did So
and it was adopted. This was the origin of the
famous Committee of Nine that played 80 proni-
nent part in the history of the electoral question.
The Regency" were good drill-master3. accus-
toned to obedience. The question OF taxing the
choice of Presidential Electors from the Leglsla-
turo and giving it TO the people had been started oy
what was called " the Peoples Party" composed OF
the friends of Clay, Adams and Jackson. as mere
party expedient The love OF rights OF the people
were secondary affairs, and TINS was understoou
fully by the Regency" Yet the proposition had
the merit of being right in the abstract and therein
lay the danger Of opposing 1t. The first move by
the managers was to have the bill rejected in the
Assembly. Bot against this SO many objections were
raised that dc Ibts were entertained of success.
UNDER TIE PARTY LASH.
Then commenced the drill" | can understand
something of what others went through tanG perhaps
Mr.. Bronson among the rest from my own case. Mr..
Marcy was Controller. and Mr.. Croswe was State
Printer and one of the editors Of The Argus. was
invited to spend the evening at their rooms in
house situated across the street from old Congress
HALL They were both bachelors at the time and
the conference lasted 50 far beyond midnight that
"bunkcd" with Neddy," as Croswell was some
times called. The operation on me was unsuccessful.
Ny recommendation was to make the question our
own pass the bill and go with confidence to the
people. If defeated. shOnld stand on good gFonnd
for future operations But no; ; the House must re-
ect the bill, rejection being point settled; and as
the Assembly was the more numerous body the re-
sponn1,litv would he so divided that individuals
yould escape severe censure. Not 80 with tho Sem
ate rs the seqnel proved and as Mr.. Bronson cxpe-
rienced mt least temporarily. The bill giving 10 the
people the choice Of electors passed tho Assembly
with but five dissenting voices, though doubtless
there were many mental reservations. The Regency
grew desperate The rejection in the Senate
was labered matter. And as Mr. Bronson says he
was Clay man, lie probably experienced the pres
sure. rs know others did. The choice Of tho cleo
tors resting now with the Legislature as OF old. the
managers stood on their native heath.' The field
was familiar and they felt sure of baGgins their
game.
The winter session passed without material change
in the position of parties, closing with that insane
blund,r the removal OF Mr.. Clinton as Canal Com
missioner Mr. Weeds use of my name in cOnnec-
ton with that event enables me to mention cir
crmstance Of some interest in connection with SUBJ
seouent associations. After the result declared,
passed over to General Talmadge's chair and kindly
asked why he voted in the affirmative Putting his
arm around my neck and drawing my head down be
whispered hoarsely in my ear Mr.. Follett, my
relations with Mr.. Clinton are snch that
could not help it," Ii was supposed that
General Tarnadge had committed political suicide.
The necessities of party sometimes make strange
bedfellows az in this case. Mr. Clinton was the
peoples" candidate for Governor at tho fall cleo
ton. and General Talmadge was his Lieutenant.
Both wero elected; Mr. Clinton because of his vin-
dictive removal from the supervision of work
with which his name was inseparably connected,
and General Tamadge-7 certainly not for helping
to do it! Party necessity (the old peal made it ex-
pedirnt There was summer session called by
proclamation of Governor Yates for the purpose OF
rcconsllerinR the Electoral question. 1t was
bnotless effort as might have been. eOrctOi. few
weeks we're spent in Improbable debate. and the
session was adjourned for tho fail meeting. when
the choice of Presidential Electors would be in
ordcr
FORCING AN ISSUE.
To make this narrative intelligible l must here
state that the Regency, under tho pressure of q
political necessity" operating something like that
in the case of General Talmadse, felt constrained
Notwithstanding Governor iateSs cOntumacy N
calling the extra session. to make him the party
candidate for Governor. In addition. a third candi
dato was brought into the field. Colonel San
Young was>pQminatod on an avowed Clay ticket
The result has already been told. The triumph o.
the Peoples party"-composed of all the eleiuent
OF opposition--dd not tend to harmonize matter,
ot Albany Tho principal business before the Legis