New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-16
HILLS GREAT CRIME.

Howell. in the first place he conducted very
small politics in very small town, and grew
bv the usual processes first to be an ordinary
delegate to a convention, and then 70 be mem
her of the Assembly. A snail lawyer; not great
in his profession still an industrious, dlllgcnt
person, studous rather of political methods and
caucus management than of history or states
marship or high politics. Not a wild young
man hardly ever gay; without any of the dis
tingnishng vices which are sometimes used 10
excuse derelictions; very cool, careful slut
dent Of the way to get on. and utterly unhin-
dered by scrlpleS was this man, David Is. liIu,
who is making - much trouble for consider
able number of persons in this city and state
who are trying hard t. be Democrats and at the
same time to believe in themselves.
As Member of the AsScmbfy-for It is better
70 start IN eminent person from that point than
from behind barn where he was buying votes
at 50 apiece-he fell into relations with the
most prominent and most successful Democrat
of his tim1, the Hon. William NJ. Tweed, who
at that time was holding the office of state Sem
ator by the so.cacd suffraCcs of the people, and
the more lucrative and permanent position OF
Boss Of the Democratic party by force OF his
own commanding personality. The relations
grew in-o pcls1ra and business intimacy. 20 that
in 1870 the two statesmen were partners IN the
ownership Of "A newspaper in Elmlia. One 81
the firm having about that time reached the
zenith of political success gradually faded away
behind bars and amid other troubles and went
our. David b. Hi continued his study OF small
politics and hi, practice Of the methods that
woe recognized by his party As Iart OF the
game and passing by easy stages through tho
inductive offices cf Alderman and Mayor came
TO DO Leutcnant-Govcrnor. Then by promo
ton of his chief 70 be Governor \ very con
siderable promotion for small Elmlra pcI-
tician who had studied nothing but small poll
tics Bur he had studied them with great in
dusry. and no hindrancc either Of small vices
or small ScruplF.
And then he became candidate for Governor.
Was supported By everybody who KEEP 4 dive or
was Interested in a gamblingdcn, who wanted
frcer license for debduchcT, larger opportunities
for political corruption. loser rein TO crime.
Was helped by goViy-gocd people VINO wrlted
in that way to rehukc ordinary goodness which
did not quito come up ~ their standards. He
slowly developed through three years Of an adj
mini>tiation which was prevented from being
wholly bad by the restraining Influence Of OPP
position Legislatures. He WAS rcnomInated.
The ,ody- good helped him again, and the noble
band OF political rcformcrS. who were wiling
that anything should happen 50 they might re-
buke the Republicans for not doing everything
they desired the minute il was wanted, con
tlibutcd TO the result.
He went on. As why shouldn't he? In the
next three years he fortified himself at all points.
He secured the ruling organization in tho city
Of Ncw-York 50 that it was a, much his own
personal belonging as it over was Of hs old
partner William VI. Tweed, when Tho Boss
was at the top He calmly knocked over and
knocked out all opposing organizations. He
rode nt) the state Convention II his party on
horseback and compelled il 70 do his will. lie
made the candidate. made the PLATFORM shaped
the issues, selected his lieuicnant>. directed the
campaign, carried the election. No one who
voted the Democratic ticket last November was
ignorant, or had any need 10 hc ignorant, Of the
character Of the most potential factor in the
campaign, or Of his zeal purpose. The men who
arc making 50 much pothcr about him know
him thon just AZ well As they do now. And they
were ready 10 run their legs 1T for him
Well, he carried the election for Governor
never mind how-hc carried it. And then he
wanted the Legislature. He sole II. Mean
time he had scoopcd in tho Office Of United
States Senator, and held that with the Office Of
Governor, to which he was elected, to the gen
eral disgust. He pardoncd criminals whose
crimes had been perpctrated in pursuance of his
advice and for the accomplishment OF his plans,
and he promoted 10 the highest Judicial position
tho man who had az his bchcSt committed a most
audaciors and indecent crime This man
and is a bad man. None more dangerous since
Aaron Burr: none more audaciouS since Calhoun.
But it is not sudden disclosure. There is
nothing in the nature Of a discovery about it.
lie is very slow and gradual development.
Everybody who voted for him. or who voted
last November fer his candidates, know all about
him; for he has developed under their very eyes.
But a great number of them are in revolt.
At what? Because he is bad man. a danger
Gus poison. a dishonest politician? Because he
has prosttuted the office Of the Executive, has
debased and disgraced the judiciary has stolen
State?
Oh, no; net at all. He has called State
Convention few weeks cut Of ume.