The Portland daily press., 1892-05-09

"a DISNGIA 6lL1s
Those were lean years for Democrats in
New York, those post Tweed years, and
David B. retired to the practice of his pro-
fession and of politics in Elmira. He be-
came recognized Democratic leader,
with much influence In the surrounding
counties. So powerful was he that in
1875 he was q delegate to the National
Convention which nominated Tilden, and
year later he was chairman of the State
Democratic convention at Albany. In
that campaign of 1873 he worked early
and late for Tilden and won that great
leaders, highest admiration as a man af-
ter his own heart. The next three years
were quiet one. In 1881 he added to his
New York reputation by again being
made chairman Of the State convention.
The Same year he was an alderman of Ell
mira, and in the spring of 1882 he was
elected mayor OF the city.
David 3. Hill was now thirty nine
years old, with reputation as clever
and successful local leader, who had
profited by the teachings of Tilden. His
personal habits and mode Of life were un-
changed. Patient, Industrious, far
sighted, cautious, subtle, secret-thus
men described him. He was slow to
adopt plans, but once adopted they were
adhered to till the end. His Judgment
had ripened, his ambition grown.
Then followed the State convention in
which Mr.. Cleveland, Mayor OF Buffalo,
was the candidate for governor and Mr..
Hill, Mayor of Eimira, for lieutenant
governor. How the fight went in No
vember every one knows. The Republic
cans would not vote for their candidate,
and Cleveland and Hill went into Office
with majority, Cleveland of 1872, 600 and
Hill of 10000.
1t has been said that almost at the out
set of 1883 Cleveland began to hate Hill
and that Hill despised Cleveland. The
lieutenant governor may have thought
the governor a political accident, man
with little knowledge of the politics
of the State of which Hill knew himself
to be thoroughly informed. David B.
Hill, too, it was said, began to express re-
grets that he had not made himself can
didate for the governorship itself, which
he thought he might have won as easily
as Cleveland, and this is probably the Sc
cret of the feeling that exists between
them to-day. Senator Hill considers him
self as practical in politics as Mr.. Cleve-
land is impractical.
They were lively sessions of the Senate
over which Lieut.. Gov. Hill presided. AL
most at the outset Cleveland quarreIled
with Tammany Hall. Senator Grady, now
police court Justice, led the rebels, and
it took all of Hills tact and skill to treat
each side fairly and avoid committing
himself. His sympathies were naturally
with Cleveland. In 1879 he had fought
John Kelly and his adherents, who were
stronger in Chemung county than else
where outside OF New York; besides,
CleveIand's promotion meant his own,
and he should do nothing to prevent that.
Mr.. HilPs career from that time on, as
governor and now United States Senator,
is too well known to need repetition here.
No charge has ever been made against
Senator Hill's personal integrity his
actual honesty has never been questioned,
for 1t is admitted by those who never
cease abusing him that he is poor man
despite numberless opportunities to en-
rich himself secretly at the public ex-
pense. Likewise his moral reputation
has never suffered. He is known as one
who never drinks and does not smoke.
Whether in Elmira, in Albany or in
Washington no one has accused David B.
Hill Of violating any of the command
ments-bar one, perhaps, for when things
do not go right he has been known to use
volcanic language. During his years as
governor he kept himself in hand Just
as he did when a youth-at every mo-
ment he has been in command of all his
resources and at all times he has not
hesitated to use every resource to COM
pass his ends, for he is of the stern stuff
ambition is made of. If his brains told
him his affections were in the way of his
am mbition he would not think twice about
plucking them out.
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