"The malcontents are restless, vituperative, mischievous, and cowardly. They abound in threats and slurs and insinuations, and would do much harm if they only dared and knew how. But they are bewildered, and so simply stand under cover, make faces, and tell what they intend to do at the next State convention; among other things, they are then and there to annihilate the Argus. Our organization here, with Abraham Lansing for president, is very strong—stronger than ever before—and we shall send an influential and a united delegation to the convention. The soreheads begin to count much upon the ripple of disagreement that seems to exist among our friends in N. York. The Governor must smooth the troubled waters. He knows how.
"Return to Albany as soon as you can. Diluted as they are, can't the principles of the removal bill be applied to those Job's comforters with some effect?
"Respectfully and truly yours,
"Daniel Manning."
TILDEN TO FRANCIS S. THAYER, AUDITOR OF CANAL BOARD
"Personal.
"New York, June 25th, 1875.
"My dear Sir,—You are quite correct in assuming that no action of mine on any bill or item has been inspired by anything but kindly disposition towards you.
"1. The canal extraordinary repair bill. When I found that I must veto this I at once communicated with you, and expressed the opinion that it would not prejudice your position as to the $15,000. That is my opinion now. I do not see any reason to doubt that you can pay that sum out of ordinary repairs. Tho' as an original job it may have been extraordinary work, when it came to be left in a condition to interfere with the current use of the canal, the removing of the obstruction, and putting in order the bank of the canal, is ordinary repairs.
"You may get the money at once on this theory. You could not get it under the extraordinary repair bill.
"2. The Hudson River improvement bill. The Comptroller informed me that there would be no money to pay for this object or the soldiers of 1812. The veto certainly had no reference to the commissioners.
"3. The supply bill was finally disposed of on information that had gradually been collected in the last two days of the period allowed by the Constitution, and while I was disabled by boils, so that I could not sit up. I should have communicated with you about the item of $750 if there had been time. I supposed I had sufficient and correct information from a gentleman to whom I had referred a portion of the supply bill for the investigation of facts.