CHARLES O'CONOR TO TILDEN
"Fort Washington, February 10, 1875.
"My dear Gov. Tilden,—Your favor of the 8th is this instant received. I have never met the Mayor but once. I then discovered that his prime object seemed to be the removal of Green. This is the prime object of all the swindlers, whatever political banner they sail under. Our friend Marble is also hostile to him. They are determined to get him out.
"I drew the impeachment of the counsel. As drawn it contained what more prudent men than myself might pronounce an injudicious paragraph against the appeals majority. In a council, consisting of Marble, Burton N. Harrison, and perhaps others, this was stricken out, and perhaps rightly. The keystone to the arch imparting favor to Tweed was the story of the substitution of Curtis and Porter for Barlow and Peckham. But I had to acquiesce in omitting that. The letters on this subject are in the New York papers about 30th and 31st December.
"The Mayor sent to Barlow, Peckham, and myself for our suggestions on the council's answer. Peckham's and mine contain all that is needful on this subject. Mine, unwisely, you will say, opens fire on the judicial majority, and states with suitable words of characterization the Porter and Curtis substitution. This you will probably not disapprove.
"To understand this branch of the case precisely you should know a few facts. I had all my life greatly aided and befriended this man. But this was not strange; I always aid the needy and never strike any one willingly. He thought me very amiable, but took good care to keep out of my way from the moment he took office until he was accused. Then he could scarcely believe his senses; so, near midnight, he visited me, cried, implored, etc., etc. I gave him no hope, and to his face condemned him, observing courtesy to be sure in the choice of words. I commented in terms as apt as this duty would permit, on his Porter and Curtis affair. This will serve to account for his subsequent attempt to reinstate Barlow and Peckham. No more need be stated. I have requested Peckham to send you a copy of his reply to Smith; a copy of mine will reach you as soon as it can be made.
"I am quite sure the power that is bent on removing Green will not improve the Corporation Counsel's office; consequently, I cannot desire that the Mayor should be free to fill it.
"I suppose you know that the only political sentiment in which I indulge is hostility of official thieves. This, like my hostility to the negro war, places me almost alone. Some degree of circumspection in my movement is therefore necessary; and, perhaps, some little caution on the part of political men how far they permit themselves to be seen in my company, or to be suspected of being influenced by me, is desirable to them.
"Hence I doubt the expediency for either of us of my putting up at the Governor's mansion for a day or two.
"I may say very little, and will probably do very little to testify my dissent; but I will see better reasons than have yet been exhibited before I will in any way assent to Judge Allen's standing as the law of the land.
"Were I Governor I would not assent to Smith's removal without an assurance as to the successor. But this, of course, should have no influence with you; for, as far as you have indicated a choice to me, you have not named any one who would impart to that office the needed vigor. At least such is my belief.
"I am morally certain that the majority in the 'hybrid body' will on some impalpable technicality defeat any civil suit that can now be brought against the Ring. Nothing but the clearing up bill now in your hands will draw their teeth."
MALCOLM CAMPBELL[65] TO TILDEN
"Confidential.
"New York, March 2d, 1875.
"My dear Governor,—The enclosed will show you how I employ a leisure hour. Although I have not been editor of Frank Leslie's since I left it after the campaign of '72 I occasionally write for it, and my articles are always published. My feelings towards you have already been shown in the columns of that paper, and anything I can do in the future will be most cheerfully done.
"I hope and expect to see you our nominee for President next year; and therefore, assuming the privilege of old friendship, I give you my views on a few points, even at the risk of appearing to offer unasked-for, and perhaps unwelcome, advice. It was said, and I think truly, that a President, when in office, knew less of the true state of public opinion than any ordinary observer. Perhaps the rule may hold good in a modified degree as to a Governor. If so, I trust you may be an exception.
"I believe I reflect the opinion of a large portion of our citizens at the present moment when I say that Mayor Wickham is thought to be drifting in the direction of 'personal government,' with a very strong leaning, in the distribution of the most important places, towards his former associates in Apollo Hall. The gentleman said to have been fixed upon by him for Corporation Counsel, Mr. Whitney, is entirely unknown either by the bar or the general public, except by the fact that he ran for District Attorney on the Jimmy O'Brien ticket. His appointment would give satisfaction to no one but those immediately benefited by it, while the selection of O'Conor (if he would accept it), or Peckham, or, indeed, any well-known lawyer, would give assurance to the public that the promises of reformed Tammany really meant something.
"It is probably apparent to you that a dead set is being made for the scalp of our old friend Green. He is undoubtedly the most unpopular man in the city, and such a movement would be too popular for any one but a man of nerve to resist. As his name has been so intimately connected with your own, your position, in case this issue is presented, would be at least embarrassing, and the result, in any event, would be to your prejudice in subjecting your action to criticism. It seems to me that all this might be avoided by getting Green to resign, not as a forced measure, but as a voluntary act, and with flying colors; and he might resume his old place on the parks, or receive some other position better suited to his tastes and temperament than the thankless office of Comptroller. I say this without a particle of hostility to Mr. Green, for whose ability I have a great respect, and in whose honesty I have unbounded confidence. I have no personal ends to subserve, and my suggestions spring from a sincere desire to avoid in an honorable way the possibility of persons who are not at heart friendly to you forcing upon you an issue which might injure you with the public. If you were to approve his removal, instead of being regarded as a second Brutus, you would be accused of yielding to the pressure of those who had designs upon the treasury; if you declined it would be attributed to personal friendship against the unanimous voice of your party in this city.
"I trust that my remarks may not be considered intrusive. If they are too frank, it is the fault of my nature and of my earnest wish for your continued popularity in your present station and for your advancement to a higher one.
"I remain very faithfully and truly yours,
"Malcolm Campbell."