Public Papers of John T. Hoffman, Governor of New York. 1869-70-71-72
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Liberty And Order: Address Delivered Before The Constitution Club Of The City Of New York, November 12, 1884 ......
(This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections
such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact,
or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections,
have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works
worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.
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Liberty And Order: Address Delivered Before The Constitution Club Of The City Of New York, November 12, 1884 ...
John Thompson Hoffman
G.F. Nesbitt & Co., printers, 1884
Political Science; Government; Local; Municipal government; Political Science / Government / Local; Political science
John Thompson Hoffman was an American lawyer and politician. He served as a mayor of New York City, governor of New York, and was one of only two New York City Mayors to obtain higher office after being Mayor, the other being DeWitt Clinton.
Background
John Thompson Hoffman was born on January 10, 1828 in Sing Sing (later Ossining), New York, United States. He was he son of Adrian Kissam Hoffman, a physician, and Jane Ann Thompson, the daughter of Doctor John Thompson of Saratoga County. He was descended from Martin Hoffman who emigrated to New York in 1657.
Education
Hoffman entered Union College, Schenectady, New York, and graduated with high honors in 1846, with a reputation for debating and oratory. Returning to Sing Sing, he studied law with General Aaron Ward and Judge Albert Lockwood and interested himself in politics.
Career
In 1848 Hoffman was elected to the state central committee by the "Hard-Shell Democracy" and took the stump for Lewis Cass for president. He was admitted to the bar in January 1849 and in the following autumn moved to New York City and formed a law partnership with Samuel M. Woodruff and Judge William M. Leonard. Five years later he accepted membership on the Young Men's Tammany Hall General Committee. In 1859 he joined the Tammany Society, was elected to its general committee, and was its candidate for United States district attorney. His youth prevented his appointment by President Buchanan.
The following year, 1860, he was Tammany candidate for recorder and was elected. His diligence, ability, and judgment, especially in trying and sentencing men involved in the Draft Riots of 1863, gained him prominence, and as candidate for reelection, he was indorsed by both Republicans and Democrats and was returned to office by an almost unanimous vote. His reputation and platform presence made him an asset for the "Tweed ring, " and he, believing that Tammany could best advance his political ambitions, threw in his lot with the regular organization.
In 1865 he was nominated for mayor and elected by 1, 200 majority. He was reelected in 1867, having meanwhile been defeated for the governorship by Reuben E. Fenton. Hoffman's personal popularity served as a screen for the machinations of the organization which supported him, and although no evidence has been revealed that Hoffman himself profited by a Tammany graft, he was in intimate contact with its members and must have known that gross irregularities existed. His political ambition blinded him to the fraud of his colleagues. He was Grand Sachem of Tammany from 1866 to 1868, and in 1867 he appointed Peter B. Sweeney, one of the inner circle of the ring, to the office of comptroller.
In 1868 he was again nominated for governor and by flagrant frauds in New York City was elected by a majority of 10, 000. Tweed himself was elected state senator at the same time and assumed leadership in the legislature. With Hoffman as governor and Tweed as legislative leader, Tammany not only had New York City at its mercy but aspired to control the state also. When in 1870 Hoffman was reelected to the governorship, predictions were confidently made of his nomination for the presidency. Meanwhile, however, public opinion began to run high against Tammany and Hoffman himself began to show signs of breaking with the organization. In defiance of the attempt of Tammany authorities in New York City to prevent a parade of the Orangemen in July 1871, Hoffman called out five regiments of militia to protect the paraders. And a few months later, in his last message to the legislature, he openly repudiated the "Tweed ring. " But by that time he was a politically ruined man.
Finishing his term as governor, he returned to his law practice. Near the end of his life, his health failed, and he traveled abroad in search of a cure. He died at Wiesbaden, Germany.
(This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)
Politics
Hoffman was a member of the Democratic Party.
Personality
In person, Hoffman was tall, carried himself well, and gave the impression of physical poise and strength. His weight was 180 pounds. His hair was dark and abundant; his forehead was broad and particularly developed in what phrenologists call perceptive faculties; his eyes were of a deep brown color; his nose was large; his chin prominent, and his mouth shapely and indicative of firmness. He wore a full moustache but no beard.
In spite of his mistakes in politics, Hoffman had been a courteous, dignified, and accomplished gentleman. In his latter years, the consciousness of failure affected him deeply; his vigor and strength were gone, and lassitude and disappointment were marked in his bearing.
Connections
The marriage in 1854 to Ella Starkweather, the daughter of Henry Starkweather of New York City, marked a domestic life which was unusually tranquil and happy.