ggregated $2,500,000, was applied each year to the enlargement of the
Erie canal and the completion of the Genesee Valley and Black River
canals; but his plan was practically adopted and time has amply
justified the wisdom of his limitations. In concluding his last
speech, the distinguished Radical declared "that this legislation
would not only preserve the credit of New York by keeping its debts
paid, but it would cause every State in the Union, as soon as such
States were able to do so, to sponge out its debts by payment and thus
remove from representative government the reproaches cast upon us on
the other side of the water."[357]

[Footnote 357: Jabez D. Hammond, _Political History of New York_, Vol.
3, p. 655.]

But Hoffman, while exciting the admiration of all men for his
persistence, dexterity, and ability, did not lead the most important
contest. In 1846, the popular desire for radical changes in the
judiciary was not less peremptory than the expression in 1821. Up to
this time, the courts of the State, in part, antedated the War of
Independence. Now, in place of the ancient appointive system, the
people demanded an elective judiciary which should be responsible to
them and bring the courts to them. To make these changes, the
president of the convention appointed a committee of thirteen, headed
by Charles H. Ruggles of Dutchess, which embraced the lawyers of most
eminence among the delegates. After the chairman came Charles O'Conor
of New York, Charles P. Kirkland of Utica, Ambrose L. Jordan of
Columbia, Arphaxed Loomis of Herkimer, Alvah Worden of Saratoga,
George W. Patterson of Livingston, and several others of lesser note.
At the end of the committee appeared a merchant and a farmer, possibly
for the reason that condiments make a dish more savoury. Ruggles was a
simple-hearted and wise man. He had been on the Supreme bench for
fifteen years, becoming one of the distinguished jurists of the State.
In the fierce conflicts between Clintonians and Bucktails he acted
with the former, and then, in 1828, followed DeWitt Clinton to the
support of Andrew Jackson. But Ruggles never offended anybody. His
wise and moderate counsel had drawn the fire from many a wild and
dangerous scheme, but it left no scars. Prudence and modesty had
characterised his life, and his selection as chairman of the judiciary
committee disarmed envy and jealousy. He was understood to favour an
elective judiciary and moderation in all doubtf