The Washington herald., 1914-02-05
How T7dss Ssesrsi e. ~
inatisn d Hsssi;s SeynsE.
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- - - ~ ~ A1kA9Ds
Wlitisn Kxrssk fbr rAe Wa1Angsa usrsI6,
IT HREE chief justices sf ths highss
! court Of New York state were at on
time or another prominsntly idsnti.
ned with important politics. In two oases
this centered upon the neminaston fci
President Of the United States. and u
ons case the nomination for sovsenor Of
New York State. These three we're san.
ford p. Church. Charles J. Foleer. and
Alton B. Parker. With two Of thsss II
was my good fortune to have had &C
quaintance.. ana IN the case Of one Of
them. Judge Foleer. friendly relations
In 1883 Sanford E. Church was declared
to be the choice Of the Democratic or
ganization Of New YORK Btats for the
Presidential nomination. 1t the national
convention. which was held in New York
In the spring Of that year. Judge Folger
was supported with what seemed to be
enthusiasm until suddenly his name was
withdrawn. and the New York delegA-
ton. under the Leadership OF samuel J.
Tiiden. "sprung." a. the saying ID. the
name OF Horatio Seymour, although Gov.
seymour was 1T that moment prssiding
over the national convention.
A long friendship which 1t was my
good fortune to enjoy with the late Judge
Noah Davis made 1t possible for me to
obtain much OF the inner history Of New
York politics between 1ss0 and 1850. Judge
Davis was for some years the law part
ner OF Sanford Z. Church. end, although
Judge Church remained stanchiy Demo
cratic throughout the war days. being
always pleased when he was spoken OF
az . Democrat Of the early school Of
William Marcy and silas white and Mar
II TssAa
Davis. became at the organisation OF the
Republican party q warm supporter Of
the principles laid down in the Rspubli-
can national platform Of lssss Political
differences impaired In no way the per-
sonal friendship of these two men.
Il asked Judge Davis one day II Judge
Church was disappointed or in any man.
ner Inundated by the sudden withdrawal
OF his name from the Democratic ma
tional convention of 13es and the substi-
tuition Of the name OF Horatio Seymour.
who was nominated.
Judge Church never had the slightest
Illusion about the politics which asso-
ciated his name with the Democratic
nomination for President In 1854" Judge
Davis said in reply. Had he been en-
tireiy free he would not have permitted
the use Of his name. He had just been
elected as the first chief Justice OF the
newly organized Court of Appeals Of New
York State. His term was fourteen years.
and his post Of chief justice was one that
was wholly congeniai to him.
Judge Church had been pretty well
trained in New York State politics. He
had been Lieutenant governor, and.
earlier, comptroller of the State at a
time when the comptroliership was . very
important once. II was n stepping stone
TO the Presidency for Martin Van Buren,
and Millard Fillmore. and many gov-
trnors OF New York received their first
state training In that ONCE.
therefore Judge Church was not so
inskilled in politics as some men who
mad been exclusively devoted to the prac-
lice OF the law were. He knew, and he
,nce told me that he knew. that his name
vas being used simply as q blind. He
rad profound regard and respect for
he political abilities Of Samuel J. Tiiden,
ind he knew that 1t was due in great
Measure 70 Mr.. Tilden's influence that
he was nominated and elected chief jus |
ice. He. therefore, did not feel Justified
n sending word to Tiiden that no use |
must be made of his name.
He told me. however, that he had been
yrievously mistaken In one thing, He |
vas convinced that his name was used |
or the real plan OF Tlden and the other /
Democrats, which was the nomination of !
he Chief Justice of the Supreme Court |
It Washington. Salmon p. Chase, and |
hat it was not until the New York dele
'ation switched over to Horatio Seymour
hat the real candidate Of Tflden and his
associates was known.
He said to me: I never dreamed
hat Seymour was the man they were
fter, for was certain that rilden want
d to nominate Salmon p. Chase"
tCopyyisht lsal