The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-12


dence IN the latter precinct. lie Joined Americas
Engine Company No. q, or big SIX" the name by
which II was popularity known. About seventyfve
members belonged 70 this company. They were the
wme-awake, impulsve. goahsad young men OF the
ward. Their promptness at nres their vigilance
anu manly dash or character, real plucky young
gentlemen, well behaved and gaiialt, and nothing
rowdysh about them, ehciLed Tor them high
place the respect and confidence OF the staid and
peace-oving Quakcrs ana other first class cuzens
comprising then the majority Of those living IN this
ward. one OF the youngest as We'll a. one oil the
most daring and dashing OF the whole company, II
was not long before young Tweed became foreman
Of The company. This company thought the world
1901, the company went on an excursion trip 10
Baltimore, and from the Monumental CITY pursued
Their journey, oy invitation, TO the national capital
This was curing President fiilmcres adminlstra-
ton. In their red Shirts and dragging with them
their beautiful engine, they passed through Pennsy
vanla avenue 70 the White house.
s'fnese are big SIX boys,a said Mr.. Tweed, IN
his customary curt style OF speechmaking, intro
ducing them TO the President.
81 am most delighted 10 see you," answered the
President, and heartily welcome you to the ma
uona capital" aud more OF this sort, extending Ills
remarks into pleasant speech OF several minutes
'Why didn'Lyou make longer Speech" gente-
man asked Tweed when he got BACK TO the city.
al let The Doys' looks speak for them," replied
Tweed.
.But any seventy-nve young men In seventy-1ve
red snir IL would look Just as we, insisted the gen
ueinan.
'.Does Croton Dam falls look like Niagara Falsa-
not by damned signt. There ID no IRE engine COM
pany IN the word looks ike big olx," Indignantly
there.
This company, to return to the thread Of our nar-
ratlve IRON which the recital OF the incidents just
given have Temporarily diverted us, became an
important political lever to young Tweed In 1901
he was elected Alderman OF the Seventh ward, OF
which Board lie remaneda member Tor two years.
IL Is unnecessary 10 say that to the strong PARTISAN
ship and influence OF "Big SIX" he was mainly
indebted for his election. His record as an Alder
man, MS iaithfulness 10 his party interests ana
steadfast cooperation IN every measure involving
the interests OF the city, inspired unbounded Con-
ELECTED TO CONGRESS-.
Higher political preferment was before Mr.
Tweed. New nonOrs awaited him. his popularity
the Seventh ward led To his nomination Tor Con-
gress for the district Ii which TINS ward Is included.
the lnrty-tnlrd Congress and his beating by y
handsome majority Joe HoXle, the opposing can
ddate. lie was elected from the Filth Congressional
district which then embraced the Seventh and
Thirteenth wards and Williamsburg. This was q
pretty good advance at that time from alderman to
memoer OF Congress. The nomination OF Tam
many was OF course, the starting point; but here
the potency or big Six" joined to his own per-
sonal popularity greatly abet!ed IN securing for MIN
u triumphant election. Mr.. Tweeds Congressional
career was marked by his clear comprehension Of
every project brought up for consideration, and In
with the views and wishes OF his constituents. lie
made only two speeches, and these breI and to the
point. He voted in iavor OF the Dlls for the admis
siOn into the Union as States OF Kansas and Me-
braska, although contrary to his own Judgment; but
MS stauch fidelity 10 party obligations would not
allow hun TO do otherwise.
TIE KNOW NOTHING WAVE AND SCHOOL COMMITS
sIONERsHIP.
After the expiration or his Congressional term
MIR. Tweed was AGAIN reuominated for Alderman Of
the seventh ward, but was beaten by Charley Fox,
the Native American candidate. There was no
stemmIn2 the tide of Know Nothinglsm that then
Set IN with such strong and tumultuous force and
on It's crested wave bore many men into office who
mad never been heard OF before, who have never
been heard OF since and who VIII never be heard OF
hereafter. But THIS did not discourage Mr.. Tweed
He knew there would be an ebb IN this tide. lie
knew his popularity In the ward was undlmlnished.
Jailed IN business. and plunged, head ana neck 50
TO speak, into the sea OF poAJlcs.
Il told you business and politics would not work
together" said an intimate friend 70 MN.
Il did not iai IN business on account OF politics."
Tics now. and mean and hope TO manage 1t sue
And squarely, too,n added the friend.
"And squareiy, too,r added Mr.. Tweed.
For two successive years-flrst being elected in
lS56-he was chosen School Commissioner Of the
seventh ward position the duties OF which he dis
charged with entire satisfaction to tine people Of the
ward and with marked credit to himself.
ELECTION AS SUPERVISOR.
II is unnecessary TO go over the history Of the or
ganization OF the Board OF Supervisors and the
causes inducing the formation OF this important
trolling mead OF our county administration. AS is
wei known, Mr. Tweed was among the first men,
bers board taking MS seat at the date
OF It's organzaton-January l. 1858. 1t also
well known that he Is still member OF this
board. To 60 over his oifcial record would
require long time and protract our narrative
to inordinaie length. In every measure coming up
everything appertanng TO supplies, salaries ices,
IN everything, In fact coming before the Board,
though free and liberal legislator he has been
closely tenacious OF the public interests In yigi-
lance and diligence he has been unsurpassed. To
his energy Is greatly owing the present efficiency
and general satisfactory condition or our county
AFFAIRS. The New City Hall. whose still uncompeted
dome VIII before long raise Its towering and majestic
summit above its colossal but not unseemly propor-
tons, VIII stand through long generations to come
perpetual monument to his energy and persever.
ance We DO not wish TO detract from the deserts
oil others but the fact Is 1ncontestable that no other
member oil the Board has given much time to this
work and determined vigilance In bringing 1t to q
completion. without going into details
oeen as he sui IL, guiding spirit the directing
head the grand central lgure OF tnis Board He has
been three times elected to the Board and his pres
ent term OF office has still five years to run.
THE sHERIFFALTY AND STREET COMMISSIONERS DE-
PARrMEST.
we nave recorded one political defeat OF Mr.. Tweed
Thcre IL another 10 record. His friends were anx
ious to elect him Sheriff. In 1861 he was nomnated
for this ONCE. He was beaten by James LYNCH As
Know Nothingism was the cause OF his former de.
feat 80 the de OF war fever the cause OF his de-
Leaf N thls instance There was beside this an
undue amount OF underhand plotting and counter
plotting that conspired to forward result This
consulnLuatlon, however. was anticipated by Mr.
Tweed SO ne Vas not much disappointed aud one
thing Is certain he was not dsheartened by it
for It Is not In his buoyant nature TO be seriouslv
affected by single election defeat. He knows that
politics rhRe OF chance, and In view of the mn
ceasng determination On either side-that great fun
da'asatai principle OF the PHILOSOPHY OF politics.
Through thick and thin,
To labor stln Win real devout
To le; the outs, poor devils, in,
And turn thu ins, the wretches, out.
that is not possible Tor side always 10 be vco-
rous
ON January l, 1853, when Charles @. Cornell as-
sumed the duties or street Commissioner, he ap-
pointed Mr.. Tweed as his deputy. He holds this
position still. having held 10 through Mr. COrnell's