"May I not ask you to take more than an ordinary interest in my behalf? My lifelong friend, who knew me from childhood, and who always took the deepest interest in my welfare, is no more. You esteemed him at his true worth. You know how emphatic he always spoke in my behalf. If Judge Black was alive, he would join heartily in any effort to secure me the place I seek. But I know no one now, save yourself, to whom I can appeal. There are possibly a few who would damn me with faint praise.
"I know how many there are who will importune you, and that there are others with more and better claims upon you; but I am sure that none needs your good offices more, and that none will appreciate them higher than
"Yours truly,
"A. M. Gibson."
TILDEN TO GOVERNOR D. B. HILL
(THE BROADWAY RAILROAD BILL)
"Greystone, April 21, 1885.
"Dear Gov. Hill,—1. The bill entitled 'An act to annul and dissolve the Broadway Surface Railroad Company' is a very proper and necessary bill.
"2. The bill entitled 'An act to provide for the winding up of corporations which have been annulled and dissolved by legislative enactment' does not seem to me to contain any deceptive or dangerous promises, and may be deemed unobjectionable.
"3. The bill entitled 'An act in relation to the consents of property-owners, order of the general term confirming reports of commissioners, and the consents of local authorities,' &c., preserves, notwithstanding the repeal of the charter: first, the consent of the property-owners abutting on the street to be occupied by the railroad; secondly, the consent of the local authorities having control of the street or highway to be occupied by the railroad; thirdly, the order of the general term confirming the report of any commissioners that such railroad ought to be constructed or operated.
"This bill fails to protect the public from dangerous abuses, with the experience of them in the case of the Broadway Railroad before our eyes.