Part 31

"In this attempt I should, above all things, be delighted to have your aid and counsel, and if you would give me a half-hour of your time whenever and wherever most convenient to yourself, it would give me very great pleasure to bring to your attention, and ask your aid in favor of, the scheme I have now prepared for the relief of the company.

"Believe me, my dear sir,

"Very sincerely yours, "FRANKLIN B. GOWEN.

"_Hon. Samuel J. Tilden._"

TILDEN TO GOVERNOR HILL

"GREYSTONE, YONKERS, N. Y., _April 23, 1886_.

"DEAR GOVERNOR HILL,--In submitting suggestions to you, I should have great delicacy if I did not offer them as mere suggestions which you, who have the public responsibility, must pass upon according to your own judgment, and not according to mine.

"In addition to the objections to the Consent bill, which I mentioned in my letter of night before last, there is another difficulty. That act does not provide any mode by which railroads not now connecting with the Broadway Railroad at Fourteenth Street can make such connections. This would give great advantage to the Seventh Avenue Railroad in competing at auction for the Broadway franchise. If in consequence that company should succeed in getting the franchise at a low price, such a result would be likely to create a reaction against the reform movement.

"I adhere to the opinion that the Repeal bill and the Winding-up bill should be acted upon promptly; that the Consent bill should be retained for fuller consideration and, eventually, be rejected.

"About the remaining bill of the four reported by the Senate Investigating Committee, I cannot find, by the newspapers, that it has passed.

"It seems to me better than the original Cantor bill, which is now a law, but it still has serious defects.

"1. It leaves the present law standing whereby the general term, appointing commissioners, and rectifying their action, will dispense with the consent of the abutting property-holders.

"2. It allows the Aldermen to pass over the veto of the Mayor a resolution granting a railroad franchise, provided the consent of one-half of the abutting property-owners be obtained.

"The first defect is the most serious. Perhaps the second may be risked, though I do not think it quite safe to dispense with any restrictions upon these grants.

"I do not know whether it is intended to pass this bill, or whether it can be amended.

"In discussing these bills, I am not advised how far, if at all, any of them have been changed by amendment.

"Very truly yours, S. J. TILDEN."

TILDEN TO F. B. GOWEN

"GREYSTONE, _April 29, 1886_.

"DEAR MR. GOWEN,--I have received your letter of April 22d. I have not found an earlier opportunity of answering it.

"I have a pleasing memory of you when you were in the profession. Since that time, I have known you only through the public journals.

"My esteem for you would make it a pleasure to shake you by the hand.

"But I cannot see how I can be of any use to you in the matter of which you speak. The delicacy of my health, and the necessity of my avoiding fatigue as far as possible, render it inexpedient for me to undertake anything more than the unavoidable attention to my personal affairs compels me to do.

"I therefore cannot engage in the work of considering any scheme for the reorganization of the great interests involved in the Reading Railroad, or make the investigations which would be necessary to give any real value to my opinion on the subject.

"Assuring you of my high regard,

"I am, very truly yours, "S. J. TILDEN.

"_Franklin B. Gowen, Esq., Philadelphia, Pa._"

E. B. YOUMANS TO TILDEN

"TREASURY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK, "WASHINGTON, D. C., _May 4th, 1886_.

"HON. SAMUEL J. TILDEN, Greystone, Yonkers, N. Y.

"DEAR GOVERNOR,--Agreeable to my promise, I write you regarding the present condition of the Secretary. He is recovering quite rapidly. He takes an interest in the affairs of the department; makes inquiries regarding the same; has interviews with various departmental officers. He seems to have retained his full mental vigor. He is not able as yet to walk freely, but it is expected that within a short time he will regain sufficient strength to enable him to go out upon the street without the aid of an attendant. It is proposed that as soon as he is able to walk that he visit some of the springs--White Sulphur Springs, if you please--and take a course of treatment, bathing, &c., after which, it is thought, that he will be able to take his vacation.

"In an interview I had with him, I stated what you had said regarding the yachting cruise, and what you would be pleased to do, &c., &c. He seemed very much delighted with the idea; said he was very fond of yachting, and thought he would enjoy it very much indeed. He said he had thought of taking a little cruise inspecting the light-houses along the Potomac, &c. I did not state to him what you said to me regarding the unhealthy condition of the Potomac, regarding which I agree with you. I think it would be much better for him if he could take the Hudson River and Sound, going as far east as New Bedford and Martha's Vineyard.

"With great respect, I remain,

"Very respectfully yours, "E. B. YOUMANS."

TILDEN TO MAYOR GRACE

"GREYSTONE, YONKERS, N. Y., _May 7th, 1886_.

"DEAR MAYOR GRACE,--I have from the beginning taken great interest in the welfare of the Central Park. I had much to do in enlarging it from the northern limit, which originally was a straight line across the hill and the ravine.

"This is my excuse for writing to you now. It is my judgment, and the judgment of many of the original friends of the Park, that the filling in of a portion of the ravine is a great wrong. It is probably the beginning of a series of measures which will be the desecration and ruin of the natural beauties of the great pleasure-ground of the people. It matters not whether these results come from incompetency or from jobbery. A change in the administration of the Park seems to be absolutely necessary.

"Gentlemen well acquainted with the subject, and with the individual, recommend the appointment of Mr. C. H. Woodman in the vacancy which you are about to fill.

"I am satisfied of his competency and integrity; and join my entreaty with those of the public, that you will rescue that imperilled work by his selection. After the mischief is done to the Park, and the people realize it, there will be a storm of indignation. All this can be averted by you now.

"Very truly yours, "S. J. TILDEN."

D. MANNING TO TILDEN

"WASHINGTON, D. C., _June 4, 1886_.

"DEAR GOVERNOR,--I send you herewith a printed slip of correspondence that has recently occurred between two of your acquaintances. You will learn from it that I want to leave Washington and go home, and that the President is loath to have me go. He prefers to give me leave of absence, and at the outset named the 1st of August as the limit. To this I demurred, because the 1st of August marks the middle of every sensible person's vacation, and brings to us extreme hot weather. I could not bring myself to think it would be right for me to return here at that early day, and in the mean time my mind would be worried by thoughts of returning to the old tread-mill, in the hottest part of Washington's hot season. So the President changed it to the 1st of Oct., which certainly is a more proper date.

"I trust that what I have done, or rather what I have let be done, will have your approval.

"We are making arrangements for me to go to the Hot Springs of West Virginia within the next two or three days. I think we shall remain there about a month. After that, I hope I may be permitted by my physician to go North, in which event I want to visit you at Greystone, if only for an hour. That, I know, will do me great good.

"Your sincere friend, "D. MANNING."

TILDEN TO GOVERNOR HILL

"GREYSTONE, YONKERS, N. Y., _June 5, 1886_.

"DEAR GOV. HILL,--There are two bills before you which ought to be rejected.

"1. The bill pretending to abolish imprisonment for debt. Your inquiry as to its effect upon Tweed's case, if this bill had been a law in Tweed's time, shows that you see one of the important points.

"If there are cases where the present law ought to be ameliorated, they should be specified. The present bill is not fit to be passed.

"If you will compare the bill with the existing law, you will see that the bill is deceptive and fraudulent.

"2. The bill appropriating $200,000 towards doubling the line of the locks on the Erie Canal will not be of the least utility to the navigation. Some time ago, I sent you some papers on this subject.

"If you have lost or mislaid them, I will send you duplicates.

"I have but a few minutes at my command this morning.

"Very truly yours, S. J. TILDEN."

TILDEN TO JOSEPH R. HAWLEY

"GREYSTONE, YONKERS, N. Y., _June 9th, 1886_.

"MY DEAR SIR,--I am obliged by your courtesy in allowing Lieutenant Jaques to read to me a copy of your report on Coast Defences.

"I approve it highly, and think it does you great credit.

"I will thank you to send me a printed copy of this document.

"The apathy of Congress on this subject would be incredible, if it did not confront us.

"It contrasts with the rivalry which is so conspicuous to insist on our taking a high tone towards foreign nations on every occasion of difference between them and us.

"It contrasts, also, with the favor which is shown to schemes of prodigality, and schemes to waste the public resources on things known to be absolutely useless.

"Among the people, the desire for liberal appropriations towards the means of public defence, is well-nigh unanimous.

"I am well informed as to the popular feeling from the circumstance that more than seven hundred newspapers from all parts of the country, and representing all political parties, containing expressions upon the subject, have been sent to me.

"Very truly yours, "S. J. TILDEN."

TILDEN TO MANNING

"GREYSTONE, _June 10, 1886_.

"DEAR MR. MANNING,--I received your letter enclosing the correspondence between the Secretary of the Treasury and the President.

"Your resignation will be a misfortune for the country, and a calamity to the Democratic party. To yourself it presents nothing but advantages.

"It is probably absolutely necessary to the restoration of your health, which ought to be a first consideration with you. You could not increase your reputation if you were to be Secretary a thousand years, and there are many chances that it might be diminished.

"Your letter is excellent; the only doubt I have is whether the remarks on the tariff are sufficiently guarded to prevent misrepresentation.

"I shall be glad to see you and Mrs. Manning at Greystone whenever you come North, but do not assent to so brief a call as you speak of.

"I hope the Hot Springs may be beneficial to you.

"Very truly yours, "S. J. TILDEN."

JAMES C. CARTER TO TILDEN

"66 WALL ST., NEW YORK, _June 10th, 1886_.

"MY DEAR SIR,--Mr. D. D. Field has succeeded in getting through the Legislature a bill purporting to be a codification of the Law of Evidence.

"It is as bad as, or worse than, any of his schemes for bedevilling the law under the pretence of simplifying it.

"No one man in twenty of the members even read it, as I am assured. It is replete with gross errors, and in many ways changes the existing law not only in respect to evidence, but other topics.

"The chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the Assembly, who was mainly instrumental in working it through both houses, confessed before the Governor last Thursday in my presence that in its present shape it is unfit to go into operation.

"He urges the executive approval on the ground that it contains a clause authorizing the Governor to appoint a commission for the purpose of amending it, and postponing the time of its taking effect until after the next session.

"This very provision seems to me to be abundantly sufficient to call for a veto. There can be no more shocking fallacy than that it is safe to pass bad laws merely because they may be amended.

"I write this to the end that, should the Governor consult you about this measure, you may have such assurance as my opinion, whatever that may amount to, may afford that it is an unwise one.

"Mr. Field's abominable tinkering of our law has already brought about measureless mischief, and I am doing all I can to prevent the further progress of it.

"Very truly yours, "JAMES C. CARTER.

"_Hon. S. J. Tilden._"

D. MANNING TO TILDEN

"HOT SPRINGS, BATH CO., VA., _June 24, '86_.

"MY DEAR GOVERNOR,--Your very kind letter of the 10th inst. came duly to hand. I have been here taking the hot-spout baths daily for two weeks, and I feel pretty certain that I have been benefited by them.

"From the beginning much rain has fallen, and the mountain air, instead of being dry, crisp, and invigorating, has been moist, cool, and depressing; nevertheless, the stimulating effect of the baths are health-restoring, and I am satisfied it was wise to come here, because of the helps to my strength that I have gathered.

"I suffer somewhat from an old complaint characteristic of most invalids--viz., homesickness, and I am promising myself to start for New York early in July. There are several subjects about which I am anxious to consult you, and I propose to accept for Mrs. Manning, myself, and daughter your invitation to visit you at Greystone soon after we reach New York.

"I have heard from our friends in England, and they sent me information and matter that I want to bring to your attention.

"If you have occasion to write me before July 1st, address me here; anything sent to Washington should be sent to the care of my stenographer, Thos. J. Brennen, or to the care of Mr. Jordan.

"Very respectfully yours, "DANIEL MANNING, "M. F. M."

D. MANNING TO S. J. TILDEN

"HOT SPRINGS, BATH CO., VA., _June 25, 1886_.

"MY DEAR GOVERNOR,--I have been offered, and I have accepted, the use of a special car from here over to New York for Saturday, July 3d. This, I understand, will get me to the city on the 4th--always a wearisome day to those who have to pass it there. May I venture, with Mrs. Manning and our daughter, to call on you at Greystone, say Monday, the 5th prox.? I do not expect to leave here before the morning of the 3d.

"My health is mending and improving, and I begin to feel somewhat like my old self again.

"Do not be much surprised if you see in the papers something like an interview with me on the Irish Home Rule question.

Faithfully yours, "DANIEL MANNING."

TILDEN TO DANIEL MANNING

"_Telegram._

"_June 29, 1886._

"Letter received. Shall expect you and wife and daughter early on the morning of the 5th, unless you prefer to come on the 4th. Advise me as to train.

"S. J. TILDEN."

DANIEL MANNING TO TILDEN

"153 WASHINGTON ST., ALBANY, _July 11th_ (_1886_).

"MY DEAR GOVERNOR,--We arrived home safely and comparatively well. The railroad ride did not tire me much; indeed, I stand railroading quite as well as I did two or three years ago.

"I have consulted with Dr. Hun, and because of a certain shortness of breath that troubles me now and again, his conclusions is that high, rarefied mountain air would not be beneficial, but that the sea air along the coast is desirable and would be helpful; therefore, under the advice of Dr. Hun, it is better that I keep away from the Catskill Mountains. What do you think and say?

"We are still feeling the good effects of our visit to Greystone. I am feeling better and more hopeful, and I realize that good has come to be because of my visit to you, and the healthful air that surrounds your very pleasant home.

"Your faithful friend, "DANIEL MANNING, "M. F. M."

D. MANNING TO TILDEN

"ALBANY, _July 21, 1886_.

"MY DEAR GOVERNOR,--Your note of the 16th inst. came to me in due course of mail, and was comforting.

"Like Dr. Simmons, Dr. Hun does not think there is any serious difficulty of the heart, but because of shortness of breath advises caution. I feel that I would like to go to the Catskill Mountains, but because Dr. Hun shows preference for the sea air, I have communicated with the Watch Hill House landlord, and hear that he will give me desirable quarters on the 29th of this month. I think we shall go there. No doubt I can get there all the exercise that I may need.

"Mrs. Manning had the pleasure of meeting, at the railroad station yesterday, Miss Ruby _en route_ to Lebanon, and says she was looking well and happy.

"A letter from Fairchild tells me that the N. Y. collector had communicated with him concerning the proposition that I be given the use of the revenue-cutter _Grant_. You will conclude, of course, that this means much. I replied that if I concluded I should like to use that boat, I would communicate thereon with the President and himself. It is better so, but I have determined to give up the idea. I cannot place myself under such obligations. Nothing of the kind has been suggested or offered to me.

"I am almost constantly thinking of the 1st October letter. I suppose it must be written. I shrink from it, but I need your help and advice. What should I say?

"I am resting nicely here in Albany. There is excitement over bicentennial celebration, and I always find something of interest in what is daily occurring.

"The President and two or three of his secretaries are to be here to-morrow. Can I serve you in any way?

"I have a fierce and somewhat threatening [letter] from Thompson about the Custom-house. He says the President authorized Stetson to ask Hedden for his resignation, and he (T) consequently intimates his intention of opening a warfare on Cleveland, who, he writes, 'Tilden, you, and I nominated.' Evidently he is feeling very ugly, for he characterizes this step as 'base ingratitude,' and a 'dastardly outrage.' There is very noisy music near at hand.

"Respectfully and faithfully yours, "DANIEL MANNING, "M. F. M."

TILDEN TO DANIEL MANNING

"GREYSTONE, _July 27--86_.

"DEAR MR. MANNING,--Your letter of the 26th is received.

"I have thought much of the nature of the communication which you wish to make, but have written nothing. Do you wish to say anything further than to announce your final purpose, and your reasons for it? The letter, it seems to me, will be short.

"I will try my hand on a draft and send it to you.

"No further intelligence has been received from our friend in Europe.

"I have been busy all the morning answering a letter from Mr. Fairchild.

"By what route do you intend to go to Watch Hill--across the country or by way of New York?

"Very truly yours, "S. J. TILDEN."

* * * * *

On the 4th day of August, and only eight days after the date of the preceding letter, I received the following telegram from George W. Smith, then Mr. Tilden's private secretary, and by his will to become one of his executors and Trustees:

"GREYSTONE, _Aug. 4, 1886_.

"Mr. Tilden died this morning at 8."

S. J. T.

(GREYSTONE, August 4, 1886.)

Once more, O all-adjusting Death! The nation's Pantheon opens wide; Once more a common sorrow saith A strong, wise man has died.

Faults doubtless had he. Had we not Our own, to question and asperse The worth we doubted or forgot, Until we stood beside his hearse?

Ambitious, cautious, yet the man To strike down fraud with resolute hand; A patriot, if a partisan, He loved his native land.

So let the mourning bells be rung, The banner droop its folds half-way, And let the public pen and tongue Their fitting tribute pay.

Then let us vow above his bier To set our feet on party lies, And wound no more a living ear With words that Death denies.

JOHN G. WHITTIER.

BIGELOW TO WHITTIER

"21 GRAMERCY PARK, NEW YORK, _Aug. 14, 1886_.

"VENERABLE AND DEAR SIR,--I am impatient to thank you for your admirably just and graceful tribute to the memory of my friend, the late Mr. Tilden.

"Though a prince of peace by training and self-discipline, Mr. Tilden, like all men of large moral proportions, came not to bring peace into the world, but the sword, and like all such men was much misunderstood and misrepresented; in many cases by those who at heart were entirely in sympathy with his aims. Of these latter, I venture to think you have made yourself the faithful and acceptable interpreter. You are right in thinking Mr. Tilden was ambitious, but his was not the kind of ambition by which angels fell. He sought power as a means, not as an end. To the mere pomp and circumstance of official eminence, no man could be more indifferent. His ideal of a State was a very exalted one, and he thought, in 1876, that he needed the _pou sto_ of the Presidency to realize it. A majority of his countrymen were apparently of the same opinion. It was ordained, however, that he should never attain that eminence, as it was ordained that Moses should never enter into the Promised Land. If he ever murmured at his fate, it was as a citizen, and not as a candidate; as a victim of a wrong to the Republic, not to himself. He accumulated a large fortune in the prosecution of an honorable profession; but in his professional, as in his political, career, he was always accomplishing more for others than for himself. The acquisition of his own fortune was but incidental to the enrichment of a multitude.

"Had he been 'perfect,' he would, of course, have 'sold what he had, and given it to the poor.' He was not perfect. But few, however, have come much nearer to this divine standard than Mr. Tilden has done, in consecrating the greater part of the fruits of a laborious life to the welfare of his fellow creatures.

"Your verses encourage me to hope that death has lifted the veil which concealed from the world many of my friend's virtues, and much of his greatness.

"Respectfully and gratefully yours, "JOHN BIGELOW."

INDEX

ABBOTT, JUDGE JOSIAH, prepares address of the minority of the Electoral Commission, 537-38.

"Accountability of Corporations," extract from New York _Sun_, 708-11.

Ackert, Alfred T., 369.

Adams, Charles Francis, nominated for Vice-Presidency, 57_n_; Minister to England during Civil War, 451_n_; candidate for Governor of Massachusetts, 1876, 452-53; letter to Tilden on loss of Presidency, 548-49.

Adams, Charles F., Jr., on Hayes-Tilden contest, 526-27.

Adams, Henry, seeks an account of the Tammany frauds for _North American Review_, 288; his _Life of Gallatin_, 629.

Agnew, John T., on Tilden's speech to Thirty-seventh Regiment of New York, 460.

Albany _Evening Journal Almanac_, table of Presidential vote in 1876 in, 474.

Albertson, Joseph C., elected to the Assembly, 38.

Alexander, Dr. Archibald, 607.

Allen, Judge, releases Tweed from Blackwell's Island, 429.

Allen, S. P., Revenue Collector, 205.

Allen, Stephen, delegate to convention to revise Constitution of the State of New York, 45-46.

Allen, W. F., favors nomination of Seymour, 231; judge of the Court of Appeals, 231_n_.; candidate for Governor, 333.

Alvord, Thomas G., 117-18.

Andrews, J. D., on Lincoln's cabinet, 162-64.

Anti-renters and their leases, John A. Dixon on, 209.

_Argus_, the Albany, 41, 42-44, 213, 225, 228, 334, 335.

Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, reorganization of, 258, 259, 261, 269, 297, 298, 300.

_Atlas_, the Albany, 41, 42-43, 44.

Babcock, General O. C., indicted, 499; acquitted, 501.

Baldwin, C. S., elected director of Iron Cliff Mines, 193.

Bancroft, George, 700, 705, 707.

Barber, A. D., & Co., under suspicion, 293.

Barkley, Alexander, indicted, 417.

Barlow, Francis C., on Tweed Ring prosecutions, 342, 357; choice of, for Corporation Counsel, 353; recommended for appointment as sheriff, 468; doubts Hayes's election, 486; disturbed over _Sun_ article, 492.