In 1843 , as a reward for campaign work on behalf of Governor William C. Bouck , Tilden was appointed as New York City 's corporation counsel . Tilden handled hundreds of cases on behalf of the city , but was forced out of office in 1844 after New York City elected a Whig mayor . He served as a delegate to the 1844 Democratic National Convention , which rejected Van Buren and nominated James K. Polk for president . At the urging of Governor Silas Wright , Tilden won election to the New York State Assembly . He became a key ally to Wright and helped end the Anti-Rent War by passing a compromise land bill that defused tensions between tenant farmers and their landlords . After serving as a delegate to the 1846 New York State Constitutional Convention , Tilden left public office to focus on his legal practice , where he gained a national reputation as a " financial physician " for struggling railroads . Tilden 's successful legal practice , combined with shrewd investments , made him rich . His success at money management and investing caused many of his friends , relatives , and political allies , including Van Buren , to allow Tilden to manage their finances
1844 Democratic National Convention
1844 Democratic National Convention
Samuel J. Tilden