HENRY L. FISH TO TILDEN
"Office of the Rochester Transportation Co.
"Rochester, N. Y., March 27, 1875.
"My dear Sir,—The Committee of the Whole adopted a resolution and recommending to the House its passage, impowering you to appoint a commission to make the investigations. Of this you, of course, are aware. Subsequently a resolution was adopted directing the judiciary committee to prepare a bill for the same object. Now, what I wish to say is this: the friends of this move of both parties in both Houses should be put upon their guard to see that it is what is required. You must have the very fullest power and authority. I found many warm friends of yours in both parties in both Houses; but everything hangs on your getting proper authority, and your friends must certainly be most active and vigilant and now. The authority must be full and broad. Each friend in both Houses ought to be fully posted as to how to act and what to do. The leaders in each House should be advised and most thoroughly posted on all points. Concert of action is imperative.
"The shaping and passing of the bill is of the very highest moment.
"It should be carefully scrutinized and drawn before its introduction, and watched with the greatest assiduity and fidelity.
"You are fighting the whole 'Prussian army'—officers, rank, and file.
"You must succeed. You must be backed; there should be now no such thing as failure.
"I dare not think of the consequences that would follow a failure. You are grappling with subtlety, ingenuity, adepts, experts, dangerous, and most unscrupulous men whose life has been spent in plundering the people, and who are most expert in controlling and handling men.
"See to it that the Secretary of State don't flood the State with ring census tokens. This will be a heavy blow to you and the cause if he does. I make these suggestions, fearing you might, in the excitement and pressure of the business of yr. office, overlook these matters, and perhaps might trust too much to yr. friends. Church is with the Ring in all their deviltry.
"Upon the proper start—the proper authority of the Legislature—hangs great events. If I can do anything, command.
"Hastily and as ever,
"Truly Yours,
"Henry L. Fish."