The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-12
Trying Time for Tnmmany-The Poiiti.
cal Ring ard the Prize Ring.

chh AttuS ara the frtZe h1nGs
Tammany is in trouble. Following the bent
of the people Of all countries in the present
day, its wild Indians are ripe for revolution
and ready for a change They have got into
their new quarters in an aristocratic neigh
borhood, surrounded by music halls, grand
operate catacomb circus, o new hotel and
any number of first class shoddy boarding
houses, and they miss the old Pewter Mug and
the back slum lager beer saloons of Franklin
and North William streets. With their change
of location has come corresponding disturb
ance in their sentiments towards their old
leaders. Seven or eight months ago, in the
general and charter elections, the Tammany
machine was all powerful, bore down every
opposition and carried its candidates into office
by unprecedented majorities. 1t obtained con-
troll Of the judiciary, the Legislature, the
several elective city departments, the Boards
of Supervisors, Aldermen and Counclmen,
and succeeded in placing one OF its principal
workers on the Police Commission. It wiped
out Mozart, swallowed up the Union democ-
racy, and laid the ghost of the Citizens Asso-
citation One might have supposed that Tam
many, from the sweeping character of its vic
tories last fall, was booked for long career
of absolute power over the affairs Of the city of
New York But it begins to show symptoms
thus early of decline more sudden than its
recent rise. Miles O'ReilIy has departed, and
the friendship which with true Irish generosity
he had rendered to his old enemy after giving
him a tremendous whipping is lost forever.
Comptroller Connolly, who heads the Finance
Department, while smooth and easy with his
associate leaders, is, as usual, prepared to take
care of himself before any other organization.
McLcap, the gallant Street Commissioner,
gives neither force nor weakness to any party,
being sort Of negative political quantity,
with excellent social qualifications. Fernando
Wood, having pocketed his leases and aban-
doned his outside opposition, Is more to be
feared than ever.
In the midst Of all this the unsettled, dis
satisfied element inside the Tammany organiza-
ton Is working and working and boding
mischief. It will concentrate in opposition
to the nomination of Hoffman for Governor,
to which the leaders are pledged, and will
accept any candidate, from Buffalo to Brooklyn,
in order to defeat him. This inside revolution
of the pluckiest, most influential and efficient of
the Tammany braves, and will count in its ranks
such democrats as Alderman Mike Norton,
Coroner Flynn, and any number of active poll
tcians from the First ward to Mackerelville.
The worst Of the business is that the prize
ring has separated from the political ring at
the very moment when shoulder hitters are in
demand and bruisers are beyond price. John
Morrssey, who two years ago forced the
nomination of Hoffman and demanded and
received for himself the position of Congress
man, now deserts the Tammany leaders and
the democratic candidates. bets his money
| heavily on Grant, the great General, and Col
fax, the great Know Nothing, and avows his
determination to beat Hoffman in the State
| Convention. Under these circumstances there
is only one course for the Tammany leaders to
pursue. They must at once look round for
some young prize fighter from the other side
of the water, with good muscle and lots OF
| pluck, enlist him in their cause and pit him
against Morrissey. 1t is important that they
should have the prize ring on their side. Jem
Ward would do If he were younger and an
Irishman instead of an Engshman. But as
! that champion is ineligible, and as such bogus
| fighters as Heenan and Coburn are out of the
question, they must take O'Baldwin, the Irish
giant, or some other Hibernian bruiser into
their pay. They can soon At him for office,
for Morrissey himself was only naturalized q
few weeks before his election to Congress
Then IL they can pacify Sheriff O'Brien and
will pay their honest debts, which at present
they neglect to do, they may yet bridge over
the next election and extend their term OF
J power another year.