Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-18

Governor Hills record - Z lawyer oo-
fore he became Governor OF New forHhas
been oyershsdowed 70 , grcnt extent py
his subsequent career. Nevertheless ns
n vas by reason Of the knowledge thus
gained that he has been able to BIO a con-
slant source OF surprise to- the legal fra
ternity by reason Of tho legal wisdom ne
displays in the discharge Of his gubernato-
$500 CAREER AT THE BAR.
Ia vas admitted to the bar in November.
1854 Immediately on his becoming OF age.
His rise to eminence in the profession was
steady and natural. his first partner being
Judge Smith Of Elmirs. In 1871 and again
in 1917 Mr.. Hill was elected>>t TO the otato
| Legislature. and although with one ex-
cent;on he was the Youngest member in
that body, his legal ability won such
general recognition that ne WAS
placed upon the Judiciary. Committee
during both terms, serving IN 1917 with
samuel J. Tilden. Here he did important
work ana became the warm friend and
supporter of his colleague, Mr. Illden,
doing much 81 bsequently to bring ABOUT
the latter's nomination and eiection as
| Governor in 1874. During MIR. Hills prac-
tice nj the bar he was known as an "all-
around lawyer" He-wes never tedious IN
the trial OF a case. spent little time. in
DISCRIMINATION ro and relied upon few
strong points. which he pressed upon the
attention of the court or jury with great
| force and dash" which his adversary
could not well Withstand. He was coun-
sci in more than one renowned lawsuit.
Since he has been New forKs cniei IKE,
cutiye many important constitutional
questions have come before him TOR
decision. arising upon bills requiring
hi, official action. He declared the
act providing for the abolition o.
hanging and for the execution of
criminals by electricity to DO constitu-
| tional, and he accordingly approvcdit IN n
carefully prepared memorandum. The
question was carried to the Court OF Ap-
peals and his opinion was sustained.
HIS APPROVAL WITHHELD.
For three successive years he withheld
his approval from certain electoral reform
bills, so called. upon the groun! that each
of them was unconstitutional IN that they
| contained PROVISIONS which virtually dis
franchised unlettered electors and other
wise violated the fundamental law. He
| boldly vetoed them, notwithstanding
there was q strong public sentiment
in their favor. because he was salts
| fed of their unconstltutlonality and
he declined to yield his CONVICTIONS In
Difference to public clamor. There was
that the points taken by him IN his able
and vigorous veto messages were entirely
sound. and his firm and unyielding stand
| upon these measures increased his reputa-
ton for legal acumen, pluck, and con-
sstency, and when a new measure were
, finally passed last spring from which was
eliminated all the legal objections which
he had heretofore urged be promptly
approved 10
THE FAMOUS CASE AGAINST PLATT.
The famous case of the people Us. ex-
Senator Thomas c. Platt was one which
| Governor Hill originated. Tom" Platt
is the Republican boss of Now York State.
| He was quarantine commissioners OF the
| port of New York and his term had ex-
| pred, but he held over because OF his sue
cessful efforts III inducing the Republican
| Senate to refuse to confirm all nonlna-
lions in his stead, whether the nominees
were Republicans or Democrats. Colonel
Fred. ID. Grant WAS one of those whom the
| Governor nominated and whom the Senate
refused to confirm. Finally Governor Hill
personally examined the law applicable 10
| the commissioners of quarantine and came
To the conclusion that Plat. was not legal
" entitled TO hold the office for the rea-
son that the statutes required such COM
missioners to reside in the " Metropolitan
| Police District" Of New York, and Platt
was alleged to reside 10 Tioga county.
WHAT PLAT CLAIMED.
Platt claimed that the statute had been
virtually repealed by subsequent leglsla-
ton. and asserted besides that he was ac-
! tualiy q resident of New York city. Upon
being satisfied III regard to the facts and
| the law Governor Hill directed the Attor-
ney.General to bring an action OF g'io lrdr-
ronto to Dust Patt from the Office. which
was accoi dinghy done. The commence
ment OF the action created genuine sen
safion. The trial resulted in verdict
against Platt, and the decision was aiirln-
| ed by both the General Term and the
| Court of Appeals, where it had been taken
on appeal. Plat was finally actually
ousted and Democrat appointed to the
place.
DOUBLE VICTORY.
The result was both professional and
political victory tor tho Governor. Whiio
| he has been Governor. Mr.. hill mas emit
! ly RETAINED from the practice OF the law,
though there 10 nothing which would nave
operated to prevent his continuance IL II
| if he had so desired.
Governor Hill IS q bachelor and has a
fondness for young folks. His private
secretary. Colonel Williams, and his mill
tary secretary, Colonel Judson. are bright
and handsome Young men. They are very
youthful III appearance and might easily
DO taken for college boys. The habits OF
MIR. Hill are exceedingly plain. lie comes
| to his Office ut the Capitol soon after IN
> the morning and remains there until III
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