Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1912-02-09
II Don't" Blasted Expectations

sured. and felt convinced that they
could. with him, carry the state OF
New York even though General Grant
was again candidate for president
| These politicians OF influence, who had
already brought about the election OF
Mr.. Hoffman as mayor of New York
and as governor. were the leaders OF
the Tammany Hall OF that day. and
their leader was William NJ GLOSSY
! Tweed.
In the senate IN the state legisla
ture of 1871. which was controlled by
the Democracy, Mr. Tweed caused tc
be named a committee on cities whose
members he himself selected He
was himself a member of that com
mittee That was the committee
which had authority to report favor
ably or otherwise measures relating
to the government of New York city
Shortly after the session began Tweed
offered a resolution which authorized
the commissioners who had authority
over the construction of the new court
house in New York city to audit bills
without limitation of expenses in
CURED and to add the same to the tax
levy. which was then made up in Al
bany. 1t was the measure which made
the gigantic county courthouse frauds
possible All of the wise politicians
realized that there was some impor
tant joker behind this resolution. and
although some effort was made &c
limit the amount permissible for the
county court house commission tc
audit. nevertheless Tweed forced the
resolution through the committee by
four votes out Of five
After that was done came the cru
cial and what proved to be the fatal
moment for Gov John T Hoffman. A /
senator went to Mr.. Hoffman and I
urged him to use his influence TO have
this measure defeated
Governor Hoffman looked steadily |
and sternly at the senator for few /
moments He took the resolution up
and read 1t over and over again. Then
turning to the senator. he asked
DO you mean to impute dishonesty
to the county courthouse commission
ers of New York. who are sworn pub
lie officers?"
The senator replied that it seemed
to him unnecessary to impute any dis
honesty since the measure on its face
was a dangerous grant of hnarcia
power
Again Governor Hoffman asked.
DO you mean to impute dishonesty
% these public officers?"
The senator was silent
Well" said Governor Hoffman, ris
ng from his chair. Il don't: and be
,ause | don't. won't interfere in this
MEASURE"
How different his own history and
hat of the Tweed ring would have
,een had Governor Hoffman said: 81
10 impute dishonesty and | will In
erferei" For by reason Of this meas
ire. which the legislature passed ano
Governor Hoffman signed. bills largely
fraudulent to the amount &c SIX mil
ion dollars passed the c.EInty court
ouse commissioners. znd II was The
isclosure of these frauds that led &c .
he overthrow OF the Tweed ring IL
'ovember. 1871 |
Governor Hoffmans ~ don't cost I
I'm all his political future II cost {
weed his leadership and his liberty |
nd brought him to a prison cell # G
ost Richard B. Connolly. the comp
roller of the city. his residence ir
he United States-for he fed to Eu
ope. And 1t cost A. Oakley Hall. who
as mayor OF New York when the
weed looting WAS going on. the Unit >
! States senatorship, which It hat /,
ing been his ambition to secure. =,
Copyright. 1911 by e. j. Edwards Al >
Rights Reserved)