The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-15

The History of Congressmau.


1iBsolute persons OF all degrees. So Low and
<nlssoiutes and disreputable was the place.
tRhat II was closed by the authorities With
other traits, Morrissey blended that of priz.
hghter OF the lowest cast. Drunken, brutal,
xwhhout friends or money, battered in his
fclothes and IN his person, he drifted down to
f New York TO see what would turn up. He
located himself in the lowest stews of New
YORK. AT that time the elections In the
8city were carried by brute force. Thore
was no registry law, and the Injunction of
politicians to ''vote early and vote often"
was literally obeyed. Roughs, Short Boys,
4brutal representatives OF the Bloody Sixth,
took possession of the polls. Respectable
men, who we're known to be opposed to the
Icorruption and brutality which marked the
electiOns, were assaulted, beaten, robbed, and
&often had their coats torn from their backs.
The police were powerless, often they were
allies of the bullies, and citizens had quite as
much to fear from them as from the rowdies
II the election was likely to 90 against them,
aud their friends presided over the bsllot-box,
and should signal the danger, rush would
be made by twenty or thirty desperate fellows,
the boxes be seized and smashed, tables and
heads broken, the voters dispersed, and the
election carried by default.
A local election was to take place in the
upper part of the city. The friends Of good
order were in the majority, If allowed to vote.
But 1t was known that the rowdies would
come in force and control the election. A few
voters got together to see what could be done,
and among them the present General Superin-
tendent of Police. 1t was suggested that force
be met with force, that the ballot box be
guarded, and the assailsnts beaten off by
their own weapons. But where could the
materials be found to grapple with the Plug
Uglies and their associates ? Somebody said
that Morrissey was in town ready for Job,
and that he could organize force and guard
the election.
One day Mrs. Kennedy came to her husband
as he sat in his room, and said to him,
"There is an awful-looking man at the door,
who wants to see you. He is dirty and ragged,
has ferocious look, and is the most terrible
fellow l ever saw. Don't go to the door; he
j certainly means mischief sis he a big,
burly- looking fellow H' eyes" "Broad-
y shouldered, tall, with hts nose turned one
side ?" "Yss, yes," said the impatient lady.
"Oh, know who it is; 1t is John Morrissey;
! let him come in" 30 husband, the idea
of your associating with such men, and
bringing them to the house, too |" But
the unwelcome visitor walked into the
parlor. Now, John Morrissey at Sara
togs, in his white flannel suit, huge
diamond rings, and pin containing bril-
liants of the Arst water, and of immense
size; tall of stature, powerful-looking
fellow, walking quietly about the
streets, or lounging at the hotel, but
seldom speaking, is not bad-looking man.
Seen in New York in his clerical black suit, a
little too fashy to be a minister, yet among
bankers, merchants, or at the stock board he
would pass very we'll as one Of the solid men
of the city. But Merrissey as he appeared
that morning was an entirely different per-
sonage. He had come from long debauoh,
and that of the lowest kind. He was bruised
and banged up. His clothes were tattered.
The Island was all that seemed to be opened
Iy..l. l.. i.
organize force Of fighters and bullies, suf-
ficient to prevent the ballot-boxes from being
smashed, and the voters from being driven
from the polls. He said he could do it, for 4
he was at home among desperadoes. True
to his appointment he was at the polls
before they were open. He was attended
by about thirty as desperate looking fellows
as ever rode in wagon or swung from Ty-
burn. He stationed his forces, gave his orders,
told each not to strike promiscuously, but,
on the first appearance of disturbance, each
to seize his man, and not leave him till his
head was broken. There was no disturbance
till twelve o'clock. The late Captain Carpen-
lumber-v van drove up, drawn by four horses.
1t was loaded with the toughest of the rough,
who shouted and yelled as the vehicle neared
the curbstone. Bill Poole, at that time so noto-
rious, led the company. 7 hey were choice speci-
mems of the men who then made the rulers OF
New York. Plug Uglies, Bummers, Roughs
of the Bloody Sixth, Short Boys, Fourth
Warders, and men of that class, were fully
represented. Bill Poole sprange to the side
walk. Captain Carpenter stood in the door.
Addressing him, Poole said, "Cap, may 20
in 2" ''Oh, yes; walk in and welcome" Car
penter said and in Poole went. He saw the
situation at glance. He measured Morris
sey and his gang, turned on his heel, and
passing out, said, "Good morning, Cap; |
won't Awe you call to day; drive on, boys;'i
and on they went to some polling place where
they could play their desperate game without
having their heads broken.
This was Morrissey's first upward step. He
washed his face; with part OF the money
paid him he bought q suit Of clothes, and with
the balance opened a small place for play. II,
became thoroughly temperate. He resolved
TO secure frst-class custom. To do this h
knew he must dress well, behave we'll, b
sober, and not gamble. These resolution
he carried out. His house in New York is tn
most elegantly furnished Of any of the kind Il
the State. IL has always been conducted o.
principles of the highest honor, as gambler
understand that term. His table, attendants
cooking, and company are exceeded by nothin
this side OF the Atlantic.
He followed his patrons to Saratoga, an
opened there what was called clubhouse
judged, senators, merchants, bankers, mi
lionaires, became his guests. The disguis
was soon thrown of, and the club-hous
assumed the form of frst-class gambling
house at the Springs. Horse racing an
attendant games followed, all bringing custo'
and profit to Morrissey's establishment
About this time the celebrated conspiracy wa
4 formed by politicians and railroad men
H.. DaiIR M w