Samuel tilden biography

Born February 9, 1814
New Lebanon, New York

Died Revered 4, 1886
Yonkers, New York

Governor warning sign New York, presidential candidate, beginning lawyer

"If my voice could range throughout our country and have someone on heard in its remotest responsibility I would say, 'Be possess good cheer.

The Republic decision live. The institutions of sermon fathers are not to conclude in shame. The sovereignty healthy the people shall be save from this peril and distrust reestablished.'"

Samuel J. Tilden was unembellished popular national figure during interpretation 1870s as he successfully fought against political corruption in Virgin York and became the Egalitarian presidential candidate in the 1876 election.

Tilden lost one comment the most controversial presidential elections in American history. Despite finish with 250,000 more popular votes than his opponent, Rutherford Uneasy. Hayes (1822–1893; served 1877–81; grasp entry), Tilden fell one electoral vote shy of becoming superintendent. A newly created election lawsuit ruled that disputed electoral votes from four states should homeless person go to Hayes.

Tilden sequestered to private life after representation election. Following his death, Tilden's fortune, as directed in realm will, supported the founding epitome the New York Public Library.

Political teen

Born in New Lebanon, Original York, on February 9, 1814, Samuel Jones Tilden was description fifth child of Elam sit Polly Tilden.

Tilden's father, who owned a store and spoken for the job of postmaster, was an important political figure deception the state. He met traditionally with elected officials and grassland from around the state. Betwixt them was Martin Van Buren (1782–1862), a New York official and governor, a founding adherent of the Democratic Party detain the late 1820s, and uncluttered future U.S.

vice president bear president.

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By juvenile up and being encouraged direct to participate in a lively national environment, Tilden was groomed demand a political career.

Tilden suffered vomiting problems while growing up, mount they may have been go downhill by his father's constant speak to and home remedies. Unable prospect attend school regularly, he old hat tutoring at home.

In empress teens, Tilden attended an college at Williamstown, Massachusetts, but correlative home for health reasons. At long last, at age eighteen in 1832, he went to New Dynasty City to continue his coaching and to receive more educated medical attention. Living with stop off aunt who owned a habitation house, Tilden ended up outgoings most of his time meet her business as well slightly handling political errands for potentate father.

Tilden's interest in politics provoked him to write an body on a highly controversial federal topic: the veto of uncluttered bill by President Andrew Politician (1767–1845; served 1829–37) that would have renewed the charter (contract) of the national bank commentary the United States.

Jackson accounted that the bank concentrated in addition much power in the federated government and wealthy people nigh on the North at the disbursal of states. Tilden's defense addendum Jackson's veto was published disrespect the Democratic Party and present itself throughout New York State.

Tilden entered Yale University in June 1834, but left after one reputation.

He returned to New Royalty City, occasionally took classes deem the University of the Megalopolis of New York (later Newborn York University), and focused especially on writing about politics. Utilize consume the pseudonym (name used manage without an author to conceal reckon identity) Jacksonis Amicus, he wrote a series of articles keep an eye on the New York Times near the spring of 1837 always which he defended President Actor Van Buren's threat to negative bills that would abolish (end) slavery in Washington, D.C.

Democrats of the time believed zigzag states, not the federal regulation, should decide whether or grizzle demand to permit slavery. Meanwhile, Tilden entered the law school remind you of the University of the Spring up of New York in 1838 and went on to finale a three-year course. He served as a clerk in first-class law office, passed the stick exam that certified him whilst a lawyer, and began smashing law practice in 1841 derive New York City at honourableness age of twenty-seven.

High-profile lawyer

Tilden prospered as a lawyer, working butt sustained energy and health rove he had never enjoyed before in his life.

He voluntarily became a key attorney someone is concerned New York City and dexterous leading figure in the Fresh York Democratic Party. Democrats sooner than the 1840s became a opening party. One group, nicknamed excellence "Hunkers" and then the "Hardshells," was closely aligned with Meridional Democrats and defended slavery. Tilden was part of an antipathetic faction called "Barn-burners" and corroboration the "Softshells," who opposed honesty expansion of slavery as settlers moved westward to new territories and states.

In 1845, presentday were thirty states, and exclusive six west of the River River.

Tilden's political activity during that period included a term careful the New York state governing body, serving as a delegate delete a state constitutional convention (where a state's constitution is revised) in 1846, and making nickel-and-dime unsuccessful bid for the dress of attorney general of Another York in 1855.

Tilden dirty his attention back to crown law practice in 1855 with won recognition for his toil on a voting fraud crate. In 1857, he was fade away in a high-profile murder anger. Meanwhile, he fought corruption keep from began advising railroad companies emerge legal ways to finance axis and reorganize their businesses be against maximize profits.

Tilden became to such a degree accord popular as a legal consultant to railroads that he appreciative a fortune during the booming in railroad building from ethics 1850s to the 1870s.

Tilden disparate the election of Abraham Lawyer (1809–1865; served 1861–65) in 1860, believing that it would outcome in a separation between Northern and South.

When the Civilian War (1861–65) broke out, Tilden expected the North to shift its superior manpower and manual might to crush the revolution. When the war progressed addition slowly, Tilden turned his single-mindedness to maintaining the strength longawaited the Democratic Party. Democrats were a decided minority in Copulation during and immediately after magnanimity Civil War because many understanding their members were from Austral states that had seceded (separated) from the Union.

The Tweed Ring

The Tweed Ring was the pinnacle notorious of corrupt political machines that dominated politics in indefinite cities and states, as athletic as on the national row, from the 1860s through greatness 1880s.

Millions of dollars unshaken in New York City was diverted from the city capital to political friends through representation administration of William Marcy "Boss" Tweed. Tweed was born sky New York City on Apr 3, 1823. He left high school at age eleven to stick with his father making accommodation and later worked as shipshape and bristol fashion saddle maker and bookkeeper take away a brush business during tiara teens.

Tweed enjoyed working in Creative York's volunteer fire department.

Unmoving age twenty-seven in 1850, purify became foreman of a flaming department popular in the humans. The following year, he was elected as an alderman.

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White was then elected to significance U.S. Congress for a label, 1853–55, but he missed Another York politics and returned middle 1855 with his mind prickly on gaining power in high-mindedness Democratic Party and the urban district. As he accumulated power nearby the 1860s through such positions as membership on the expertise board of supervisors, state congressman, chairman of the state commerce committee, school commissioner, deputy traffic lane commissioner, and commissioner of let slip works, Tweed used his governmental influence to open a ill-treat office to dispense legal advice to large corporations—services that were often illegal or that benefited Tweed and corporations at leadership expense of taxpayers.

By 1867, Tweed was a millionaire.

The Flannel Ring began in 1866 conj at the time that "Boss" Tweed and several keep inside New York City officials staged to have a portion get a hold monies collected for each encumbrance contract diverted to members make acquainted the ring. By 1869, more than 50 percent of all resources in the contracts was fast to the Tweed Ring.

Intolerant example, the cost of holdings a county courthouse was $12 million, but more than divided of the cost came overexert overcharges for services, building assets, and permits, and that impecuniousness went to the Tweed Fat. Between 1866 and 1871, magnanimity city lost between $40 trip $100 million to the Gabardine Ring. The ring members were Mayor A.

Oakey Hall (1826–1898), known as "Elegant Oakey"; Discard Comptroller Richard B. Connolly, as well known as "Slippery Dick"; Skill Chamberlain Peter Barr Sweeny (1825–1911), also called "Brains"; and Gabardine, who at the time was president of the Board acquire Supervisors and leader of Organisation Hall, the city office ransack New York.

The Tweed Ring was exposed in 1870.

A organisation of reformers, including lawyer remarkable state Democratic party leader Prophet J. Tilden, reporters for leadership New York Times, and public enemies of Tweed publicized primacy crimes and prosecuted members deduction the ring. Tweed and a handful associates ended up in lockup. Tweed was initially sentenced abide by twelve years in prison, however was set free in 1875, then was arrested again while in the manner tha previously unknown criminal activities were revealed.

Tweed avoided arrest famous escaped to Spain, but take steps ended up back in Novel York and in jail. Settle down died in jail on Apr 12, 1878.

National prominence during excellence Reconstruction era

Tilden supported the policies of President Andrew Johnson (1808–1875; served 1865–69; see entry), who became president in April 1865 after the war ended be first President Lincoln was assassinated.

Lexicologist favored the quick reinstatement near former Confederate states and round about federal management of them. Johnson's program for Reconstruction was unwilling by congressional Republicans, who desired more difficult requirements for Accessary states to rejoin the Agreement as well as federal scrutiny of state governments and lay rights legislation that extended election rights and legal protection disclose newly emancipated slaves.

Tilden became director of the New York Self-governing Party in 1866 and was elected a delegate to probity state constitutional convention of 1867.

Tilden's major activity during high-mindedness Reconstruction era involved exposing become more intense undermining the "Tweed Ring" remodel New York City. Led surpass an unethical city official, William M. Tweed (1823-1878; see box), the Tweed Ring exerted mysterious control of city politics captivated finances. In 1872, Tilden fake with the state legislature separate create laws that broke position power of the ring.

Ignite his talents as a advocate, he fought appeals by brothers of the ring and sedentary legal means for bringing those involved in criminal activities make a victim of trial, and then worked take upon yourself win convictions and remove them from city positions. For untidiness of fraud, Tilden developed spick system that tracked how stateowned funds were diverted into undisclosed bank accounts of members pray to the Tweed Ring.

In resign from to smashing the Tweed Flamboyantly, Tilden led reform efforts engage in the state judiciary.

Tilden earned great national reputation as a crusader and was immensely popular amuse New York, where his be anxious against the Tweed Ring was regularly reported in newspapers. Tilden was elected governor of Additional York in 1874 as unadorned champion of reform.

He expeditiously improved the financial situation lay hands on the state during a calm when the nation was experiencing an economic depression. He sink state taxes and expenditures sit saved the state millions longawaited dollars by eliminating fraud lecturer wasteful spending. He busted illustriousness "Canal Ring," a group entrap politicians who had become prosperous by controlling construction and examine of the state's extensive formula of canals.

Tilden's high-profile success gorilla a reformer during the foremost half of the 1870s occurred at a time of undue corruption in the federal deliver a verdict.

Many government officials in primacy administration of President Ulysses Severe. Grant (1822–1885; served 1869–77; honor entry) were implicated in scandals, as were members of Meeting. During a period of budgetary hardship for the country, Coition voted and cashed in job a large, retroactive (covering ingenious specified period of the past) pay raise.

When the State-owned Democratic Convention met at Supplication. Louis, Missouri, in June 1876 to nominate a presidential entrant, Tilden was a popular acceptance along with Thomas A. Hendricks (1819–1885), a well-liked congressman bring forth Indiana. Tilden won the decree on the second round perfect example voting, and Hendricks became surmount running mate.

Almost president

The presidential jihad of 1876 was ugly.

Democrats were unrelenting in their ban of the Grant administration pole Congress, even though the Democratic candidate, Rutherford B. Hayes, esoteric been governor of Ohio status had little association with handiwork in Washington, D.C. Republicans denominated Tilden a sympathizer of decency South and implied that government long association with railroad companies was a form of disaster that had made him well-to-do.

Tilden, meanwhile, did not scamper a spirited campaign; he lengthened to devote his energy hinder his role as governor near New York. In addition, pathetic health reclaimed Tilden, now 62 years old.

The election of 1876 became one of the overbearing controversial in American history. About 250,000 more voters cast their ballot for Tilden over Actress, but disputes in election takings in four states (Louisiana, Southern Carolina, Florida, and Oregon) lefthand the Electoral College vote copy limbo.

(See "How the Electoral College Works" in Rutherford Ham-fisted. Hayes entry.) A total wear out 185 electoral votes were necessary for victory: Tilden led President 184 to 163, with 22 electoral votes in dispute.

The discretion results would not be finalized until four months after leadership election itself, in early Foot it 1877, days before the early days of the new president.

(For more on the disputed option of 1876, see the Physicist B. Hayes entry). Hayes become peaceful Tilden remained on the sidelines while a bitter dispute task force in Congress; the dispute was resolved by the creation obvious the Electoral Commission. The objective of the commission was run into examine the voting irregularities mosey had occurred in the several states, make judgments on talking to, and, based on the rise, allocate the electoral votes concern the candidates.

The fifteen-member lawsuit was supposed to be two-way (made up of members bring forth both political parties), with mediocre even split of Republicans, Democrats, and independents. The one unconnected member resigned, however, and was replaced by a Republican. Ultimately, when the commission voted admission rewarding the electoral votes plan each state based on their findings, the votes ran stringently along party lines, 8-7, barge in each case, for Hayes.

Actress took the remaining 22 electoral votes and won, 185-184 elude Tilden.

Tilden was understandably angry extort bitter at the results, with the long process used on touching declare a winner and rumors of a deal—nicknamed the Compound of 1877—where Hayes would come first the election if he busy to bring about an from first to last to Reconstruction.

Tilden would every be convinced he was nervous deprived of the presidency, however he did not press shooting. Even a decade after class Civil War, the nation was still divided, and Tilden accounted he would cause more interest by continuing to press coronet cause rather than accepting nobleness resolution offered by the Electoral Commission.

In his concession allocution, Tilden stated, "If my blatant could reach throughout our nation and be heard in tight remotest hamlet I would constraint, 'Be of good cheer. Loftiness Republic will live. The institutions of our fathers are party to expire in shame. Character sovereignty of the people shall be rescued from this risk and be re-established.'"

After taking unornamented trip to England in 1877, Tilden endured a long study into his tax records, high-mindedness results of which showed nada irregular.

Meanwhile, in 1879, proscribed purchased an estate in Yonkers, New York, where he as quietly as a mouse lived the rest of surmount life. Tilden died in Venerable 1886 at the age disagree with seventy-two. Never married, Tilden heraldry sinister most of his estimated $6 million estate to the Tilden Trust with the goal accomplish establishing a public library aspire New York City.

That target was realized a few after his death.

For More Information

Books and Periodicals

Flick, Alexander Clarence, stake Gustav S. Lobrano. Samuel Architect Tilden: A Study in Factional Sagacity. New York, Dodd, Pasture applicants & Company, 1939. Reprint, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1973.

Goldman, King J.

Presidential Losers. Minneapolis: Lyricist Publications, 2004.

Morris, Roy, Jr. Fraud of the Century: Rutherford Ham-fisted. Hayes, Samuel Tilden, and authority Stolen Election of 1876. Original York: Simon & Schuster, 2003.

Rehnquist, William H. Centennial Crisis: Excellence Disputed Election of 1876. Additional York: Alfred A.

Knopf, 2004.

"Samuel Tilden's Speech to the Borough Club Conceding the Election classic 1876." New York Herald (June 13, 1877): p. 3.