St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-13
mittee. in order to defeat this Democratic

worked Douy OF men. Inc IaDorerS ana mo
chanics of the state sought TO protect them
selves from loss st the hands OF dishonest con-
tractors ami employers, and caused 10 be passed
en- act by the legislature giving lien of the
mechanic and laborer priority over all others.
This also suffered the same fate. We might add
and enumerute other instances, but have
shown sufficient TO have warranted even stronger
opposition on our part to the nominee Of the
Democratic party than We made at Chicago.
Being On integral portion OF the great Demo-
cratic psrty, we have always, III our capacity as
delegates, exercised the right 10 advocate men
whom we knew to be trusted BY the people. or
opposed the nomination OF those who were not,
and it in the exercise of this right and in the
conscientious discharge OF this duty, that we
took occasion az Chicago TO advise against the
nomination which was made by The national
convention. Our opposition was without per-
sonal feeling, and from our intimate
knowledge of the sentiments of the toiling
masses of our state as to the course OF GOV.
Cleveland in reference to their labor bills. The
most charitable view 10 lake Of his course is that
he was ignorant aud uneniightened concerning
the nat1re and working Of these laws, which
would have occasioned so much real benefit 10
the workingmen, and could not have resulted in
loss to employer.
We do not impugn the governors motives or
the views which he has expressed on these sub
jects. They doubtless were conscientiously con-
sdered in the discharge OF his official obligations
and duties We simply expressed our knowl-
edge of the antagonism against him which e1-
listed in the minds OF the workingmen who COM
pose the bulk OF the Democratic votes of the
state OF New York That the expression OF
our ideas as to the policy OF nominating as can
didate to the presidency that man against whom
so much opposition existed, was correct and JUS
titled by existing circumstances, let the occur
rences which have transpired since the adjourn
ment of the national convention determine. 1t
delegates were not of our way uf thinking. The
most conscientious OF them were ac-
tuated, no doubt, by the record
of his election governor OF the state Of New
York and without rejection and sufficient infor-
nation deemed it the part of wisdom 10 nomin-
ate man who was elected 10 the highest office
of the state by the phenomenal majority Of l92,-
S64. Prejudiced ones were probably governed
by the antipathy that existed unreasonably
against members of the Tammany hall organiza-
ton. That this unwarranta5le prejudice existed
must be admitted, and that it still exists, even
among men who in other respects are open to
conviction, is equally true. Whence comes 1t!
To the unreasoning hatret Of partisan opposition
we do not seek to offer any argument, or state
any undispUted facts which might perchance
have weight with the thoughtful, candid minded.
Indeed it would be useless labor, but we deem
the present the most appropriate occasion TO
reach the latter, and to disabuse their mind Of
tegrity OF this organization.
1t is not unfair to claim, in approaching this
subject, that the odium purely chargeable to the
Tammany Hall organization, as it was in ring
times, should not attach to the present manage
ment Of the existing organization, and the pres
ent leadership Of Tammany Hall dating from
1871. The acts of depreciation and corruption
committed by the defunct ring and its Republi-
can allies preceded that date. When Samuel j.
Tilden, Oswald Ottendorfer, John Winthrop
Chandler, Augustus Schell, John Kelly, its pres
ent leader, and others, succeeded in driving out
the corrupt leaders out of the organization, they
found Augean stable which indeed required
herculean strength and executive ability to
cleanse 1t and put 1t in order. Those self sacri-
fcing workers for the Democratic party succeeded
in the work of restoration. Order restored and
q system of fair primaries introduced in every
assembly district. new general committee was
elected and again Tammany Hall became q res
pectable, law abiding, Democratic organization,
self respecting and respecting the rights OF
others. Its strength as a Democratic organiZa-
ton was increased 10 $4,000 votes, which number
were cast for that honest old Democrat, Augustus
Schell. now dead, candidate for mayor, when
he was defeated by Edward Cooper, under q
combination made by Democrats opposed 10
Tammany Hall with the Republican party OF this
city, on division OF offices, which poIled 10000
votes agninst him.
impression created as to the character Of tue
members Of our organizations, which have been
manufactured not only to blacken our reputation
and lessen our influence. but charges have also
been made against Onr political integrity and the
honesty of our support given to the candidates
OF the Democratic party. 1t has been charged
that we conspired to defeat Tilden and Hendricks
in 1876, and Hancock and English in 1880, and
the press OF the country has generally circu
lated this atrocious SANDER that by continued
repetition even impartial men have come to be.
lieve it. The following statement of facts should
suffice to bury this calumny forever.
In 1876 Tildens total vote in New York state
was 52l $40, Hayes 4S9,2 ,207; Tilden's majority
81, 742. Tilden's majority by countless including
New York, was 1,395, Hayes 1868; Tilden
majority 81, 742. Tildens majority in New York
county was SO, $3.50, and the majority against Til
den in all the other counties of the state, outside
of New York, was II ,227. The large vote cast
for Tilden in New York, 1850, therefore
elected him, and when it is remembered that the
Tammany hall organization was the only Demo
cratic party in the city and county Of New York
the other Democratic organization Of Irving nal
having practically given up its existence for that
campaign and running nc candidate. 1t will be
seen at once how false and unjustiiGble is this
charge. Tammany, with its magnificent discipline
and honest management, brought The enormous
vote to the Democratic ticket, and made success
certain. The victory which the Republican
managers snatched from the jaws of defeat must
be sought for elsewhere. Perchance it may be
discovered in the haltng, time-serving senators
and congressional representatives, who consented
to manufacture device unknown
to the stitutioE, which defeated the
expressed wish OF the major
ity OF the people Of the United States Agains
this fraud the Tammany organization protested
and it has never ceased to condemn the ingeni
Gus but unconstitutional electoral commission
/ -ry1, Il - THa i
struction Of the Republican party, which it sue
! ceeded in accomplishing in 1877 by vote Of {
| to Z.
The gross folly Of charging the defeat Of Han
cock in 1880 TO US will be apparent when it i
remembered that by the efforts of Tamman,
representatives., more than any other delegates
/ was his nomination brought about-Samuel j
/ Tlden having declared he did not desire ane
would not accept the nomination il offered hin
| and his letter to that effecl having been read 4
| the convention announcing his irrevocsble decli
nation. The effort. made by the organization il
| the behalf OF General Hancock from the dsy o
! his nomination were unceasirg to the close O
the polls in November 1880, In hi
behalf the largest procession ever wit
messed in the city gotten u
| by its members, at an expense of not les
/ than $50, 900. The enthusiasm which it created
alarmed the Republican managers to renewed
eXertion and corrupt practices. The tari1 issue
! was injected into the campaign 81 the eieVens
hour to counter-act the dash and elan which IN
nomination of the gallant soldier and statesme
/ had given the canvass. Capitalists and manu-
| facturers used every argument and influence I
4 change the views OF their employees an
! workmen. The Democratic party was made t
appear as an enemy OF the mechanic and laborel
and cards were distributed by Republican work
ers in the shops OF our city, contrasting the pau
per labor of Europe with American labor, an
/ charging that the Democratic party
elevated to power would eItraC
laws which wond reduce the earning
of the latter to level with the former. Demo
cratic campaign speakers were unprepsred an
unable TO meet this subject in the short time in
tervening before the election, and refute all tht