Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-11-28
MONEY wfraour STINT.
The Princely Contributions of Samue

Tnden for Campaign Purposes,
Washington I'd, CT Criuc.
The recent contributions of the pres;
dent. cabinet officers and others to tn
New York campaign fund have beel
generally discussed in Washington, ais
the subject of campaign contribution
generally. Referring to this matter ,
Well.known gentleman who was fo
many years of the national democratic
committee, told Critic representative
the other day that Samuel ]. Tilden had
probably given more money during bis
political career to help his party than
any man who ever took personal and
prominent part in politics in this coun-
try, In addition to his official connec-
ton with the committee the gentleman
| in question is a warm personal friend of
Mr.. Tilden, and has time and sgain
been his guest, both at his New York
res. Ience, and at Greystone, on the
Hudson.
"Of course" said the Critics inform
ant, there are men in the the world
who have caused probably to flow into
political channels more money than Mr..
Tllden, but they were in syndicate or
combination of capitalists, controlling
enormous corporations such az the great
Pennsylvania railroad company and its
vast interests, in the days when Tom
Scott and his partners owned legisla-
lures and ruled parties in certain states.
But mean to affirm that for the good of
his party and as duty he owed tie de-
mocracy, to see that ample funds we're
at the command of the various commit
tees, M. Tilden has given by far more
of his own means than any man who
ever ran tor an Office in this country.
Leng before he was 8 candidate for any
Office he poured out his money by the
thousartl,. r he realized that to have
perfect U.,anization and to enlighten
the people it was necessary to have
competent men to do the work, and see
that the best campaign literature was |
placed before the intelligent voters. He |
realized that good men who would give
their time aud attention to campo lgn |
work had to be remunerated; and such |
men only did he have around him. /
don't know how much he spen I in his |
campaign for governor of New York, in
1875, when he downed the rings, and
was swept into power by majority 80
large that he was selected as the great
reform candidate for the presidency, but
I do know for q certainty that in the
presidential campaign of 1876 he paid
out of his own pocket to defray the le-
gitimate expenses of that memorable
canvass the enormous sum of $3.50, 1000.
His bureau was certainly the most COM
plete thing of the kind ever attempted
in politics. He had reports that en-
abled him to tell within 1000 votes just
how New York and other doubtful states
would go, and the documents sent out
were of character to 60 straight to the
intellect and judgment Of the wavering
man of sense.
"In the presidential campaign of 1880,
although Mr.. Tilden should by rights
have had the nomination at Cincinnati.
be came handsomely to the front and
to the Hancock and English
fund the sum of $50, 500.
"Many people may not know what
Mr.. Tilden's contribution was last year.
If the exact amount was published
have not seen it, but know that he
gave $751; 900 to help pay the expenses in
The Cleveland canvass, and he did all he
could to render the success of the demo.
cratic ticket certain. If it had been nee
essary last year he would have given
S10O, 900, but he saw the business men
IF New York were coming down more
literally than usual, ard the committee
1ad ell the funds needed.
eff the entire amount that Samuel j.
rilden has given out Of his own pocket
20 help the democratic cause in the last
twenty years were positively known it
would hardly fall short of $4,000. But
what did he care? He has an enormous
fortune, and always made plenty of mon
~, is bachelor, and no man was eyer
more devoted to the principles of true
democracy than he. He is probably the
,nly democrat nominated for the pres
dency since the war who has been able
o contribute so handsomely. Blaine
vas the only wealthy candidate put up
)y the republicans, but l doubt if as
much as $4,000 of Blaine's money found
ts way into the pockets of the boys last
rear. He is too keen to hold on to what
le has, and the prestage Of his party
ince the war and its utilization with the
classes of Wall street, Boston
md the manufacturing states, brought
orth unlimited campaign funds without
tint or solicitation"