"_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."