Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1891-12-23
DAVID BENNETT HILL AND THE PREsI-
DENCY.

ing of Governor David Bennett Hill.
There is nothing new in this. Every
distinguished occupant of the guberna-
torial chair at Albany, if he has hap
pened to be Democrat, has undergone
the same ordeal. Probably no purer
man ever lived than Horatio Seymour,
who filed that Office twice, and yet
Seymour was abused in season and out,
and only after his death did his political
opponents concede his merit as a man,
Statesman and patriot. When it
came to Samuel j. Tilden all the walls
of Republican wrath were turned
loose, with Harpers' Weekly in the
lead. That journal of civilization an
nounced that General John A. Dix
would beat Tilden by sixty thousand
majority. 1t and the other Mugwump
journals were astounded when it was an
nounced that the intelligent people OF
New York had elected Tilden governor
over Dix by fifty thousand majority.
Republican, and what are now known
as the Mugwump journals, were still
further surprised at seeing Mr.. Tilden
carry the state of New York by about
thirty-four thousand majority over
Hayes in the presidential election of
1876. And so we go through all the
brilliant victories which have signalized
Democratic ascendancy in the premier
state of the United States, and which
have successfully placed Cleveland,
Hill and Flower in the executive chair
of New York.
1t is not too much to say that, of all
these eminent men, David Bennett Hill
1Iay challenge comparison as to merit,
resting his claims on intelligent devo-
ton to the interests of his state and his
party. Neither Mr.. Hill nor his friends
would assert that ne was primus inter
pares, but they would certainly point to
the fact that he is worthy to stand with
Seymour, Tlden and Cleveland in an
honorable rivalry Of public service.
The fact is that the governor OF, and
senator-elect from, New York, is man
of conspicuous ability in every line
For seven years ct Albany he held the
Republicans at bay, and prevented any
violent strain to the constitution
of his state. He not only stood
off Republican majorities in the
state legislature, but he ceaselessly re-
minded that body of its duties. He
failed to compel the legislature to take
the state census which is provided for
in the constitution, but he conscien-
tiously reminded that body of its laches.
After using the veto power he at last
compassed good and practical election
law, relieved of Republican features of
chcane. During his long incumbency
of the governorship of New York he
prevented much that was evil and &C
complished much that was good. In a
subsequent issue we shall enter into
particulars on both of these heads.
Governor Hill's partizans do not claim
that he is a magnetic man, or that he is
an orator in the sense in which Henry
Clay and Daniel Webster exemplifed
that much-abused word. But he is a
speaker Of great force and eloouence
and, in his great effort enforcing the
issues of the campaign for 1892, he at
tanned quite the standard of Roscoe
Conkling. His presentment OF the atti-
tude OF the two great national parties
was consummate in its mastery group.
ing.
In truth, Governor Hill presents the
quite rare union OF unusual executive
ability with a far-reaching scope OF
ideas. 1t goes without saying that if he
were not equipped from head to heel his
political enemies would long ago have
found vulnerable point in his
record. His strength in the state
of New York has been demonstrated so
often that it almost looks like iteration
to recapitulate his strong points. When
Grover Cleveland was elected governor
OF the Empire state by majority Of
1913 600 over Folger, David Bennett was
elected acknowledgement on the same
ticket by a majority OF 1877 900. When
Cleveland carried New York and the
presidency in 1884, over Blaine, by
slender majority of 100, David Bennett
Hill was elected governor by 1000.
When Cleveland, in 1888, was beaten
for president by Harrison by majority
OF 1900, Hill was elected governor by
1900.
Why should not such man, if he is
backed by the great state of New York,
be most eligible Democratic candidate
for president? Should he be nominated,
he would enthuse the Democracy cleo
trically. His celebrated battle.cry, 81
am Democrat, and believe that there
are enough capable Democrats to fill all
the offices of the country" would rally
the unterrifed as they have never been
rallied since the days Of Andrew Jack
son. From the standpoint of success,
Hill is the typical Democratic candidate. |
He could carry New York, Connecticut,
New Jersey, Indiana and the solid
SOUTH and, with good western man on
the ticket for yice-president, it is hard |
to say what states he would not carry. i
No wonder Republicans deprecate the
of David Bennett Hill They !
always know when they are liable to
meet an "Ugly Customer" to employ
the felicitous language of Mr. PecksniH |