New-York tribune., 1910-10-21
DAVID B. HILL.

David r. Hill retired from active poll
tics only about six years ago. put the
things which happened III those SIX
wears had made him seem 10 belong 10
a period already far in the past. HIS
nolitical activities began in the time of
Tweed and Tilden. and he was governed
throughout his whole career by concep-
tians of the art and practice OF politics
which were current then, but which
have since been generally abandoned.
His training taught him to consider
politics as game played by party lead
ers for the stakes of power ana puDi1c
distinction. In his view the great
masses of the voters in both parties
were incapable of thinking for them
selves or looking out for their own IN
ferests. Their prejudices and passions
were to he played on and their cupidity
aroused. if possible. but each party was
10 be governed from the top by its lead
crs, fighting with the leaders Of the
other party for the control of the state.
Mr.. Hill and the school from which
he sprang had absolute confidence IN
the efficacy of party machinery. 1her
idea of party leadership was to OBTAIN
n firm grin on the few thousands OF
middlemen engaged in state and county
politics. TO keep them under personal
and political obligations and 70 depend
ON them i'm turn to hold local party sen
timent loyal to the policies and fortunes
of the state leader Mr.. Hill spent years
i'm mastering the arts through Whlch the
middleman in politics could he made ["
represent power above him rather
than the voters for whom he was
nominal agent He could never under
stand why he should lose in political
contest when the machinery remained
i'm his control. and his greatest defeat
overlook him when. with the state or
eaniZation absolutely in his hands, ne
tried to suppress Mr.. Clevelands candl-
dacy for denomination in 1892 by taking
from him the support of every New
York delegate to the Democratic Ma
tionaI Convention The rank and file.
with whom Mr.. Hill never dealt or cared
to deal. rebeled against him, and the
Democratic National Convention. for the
only time in the history of the party.
nominated a Presidential candidate
solidly opposed by the delegates from
his own state.
We have travelled far beyond the Hill
era and its conceptions. Parties have
begun 10 govern themselves and to
choose leaders whose power rests on the
will of a ma aiority freely expressed Mr..
Hill would have found no scope for his
talents in present day politics. He
wisely retired even before the retire
ment Of Thomas G. platt. for he prob
ably perceived that his race was run
and that his type was about TO be eX-
tinguished He lived long enough to
see the people turn gladly to new type
in Charles F. Hughes and cut the
ties which bound them to the outgrown
system which committed their salvation
To middlemen in politics under the finger
Of an astute, unscrupulous and selfish
boss.
The Tribune has frequently used plain
words in condemnation of Mr.. Hill as
politician. He played the game Of
politics. as he understood it, daringly
and without compunctiCns. He gave no
quarter and asked none. He never har
bored animosities. for they would have
interfered with his success. which de
pended on his using enemies as we'll as
friends He was Governor of the state
for nearly seven years and United States
Senator for six. and for twenty
years was the dominating influence in
the Democratic party here. He did
many evil things and some things that
were good. but he leaves no monument
IF public service behind him because he
was politician who consistently put his
own ends before those of the voters who
followed him and the narrow triumphs
Of partisanship before the welfare of the
state.