Weekly Trinity journal., 1871-12-16
POLITICAL RINGS.

The slang of the political world of America is
more copous in its phrases than that of any
other country. This is not strange in view of
the fact that the largest liberty of speech and of
conduct is permitted here that is consistent with
civil order and good morals This and other
causes excite marvellous activity of the mind,
which finds expression in pointed, and pithy,
and sometimes coarse language.
For few years past, the word =" Ring " has
been much used iu America in connection with
business and politics. Now it has become as
common as " Lobby" In fact, the Ring is
nothing but the Lobby extended, with all modern
improvements in trckery.
The Lobby, as we explained some time ago,
is an association of persons for the purpose of
acting on legislative bodies, such as Congress,
State Legislatures, Boards of Aldermen and
Common Councils in cities. The members OF
the Lobby, or " third branch y as it is called,
of a Legislature combine their labors and inhu-
ence for the purpose of carrying certain meas
ure through certain body, and they receive
pay for so doing.
A Ring is formed on the principle, only
the members Of that magic circle generally work
for themselves, and on larger scale than the
Lobbyists, unless the members of the Congress
sona Lobby form exception.
"No pent-up Utica contracts the powers " of
for their Vaccinations.
Sometimes n Ring is formed to force up or de-
press in value certain kind of stock or article
of merchandise. The greatest Ring of this kind
ever formed was the famous = Gold Ring" which
not very long ago, endeavored to raise the price
of gold and to depreciate the value of the paper
currency issued by the National Government.
That Ring would have succeeded in its vilanous
designs had not the government interfered. In
the amount of money involved it was, perhaps,
the most formidable conspiracy ever known.
Many of the men in the ring were ruined by the
failure of their plot, as they deserved to be, for
its success would have brought disaster and ruin
to others
Rings in politics are formed to secure the NOM
ination of candidates for office In 1856 Mr..
Buchanan. was nominated by Democratic Ring
of politicians, who did not wish the reelection
of President Pierce just as twelve years earlier
another Ring prevented the nomination of Mr..
VanBuren, and by their activity and influence
secured that of Mr.. Polk. The word Ring was
then unknown in political slang, but the thing
itself well known. A Whig Ring prevented
the nomination of Mr.. Clay in 1889.
To-day there is Ring in New York that for a
long time has maintained leadership in the
politics of that State, and held possession of the
government of New York city. 1t is called the
@ Tammany Ring" and a marvelously corrupt
Ring it has been. Bat its deeds have been brought
to light, and its power is probably broken.
There may be Rings forming at this moment
to nominate candidates for the next Presidency,
the election will take place in l872-and one
party is as likely to be rnged as the other.
The term Ring, in the slang, political sense, is
of low origin. 1t comes from prize ring"
used in prize fghtng-one Of the vlest of human
pursuits-and from the " bull ring" which is
one of the crueest. 1t is curious that Just as
men becoming ashamed of q rings" asso-
| ciated with murder and brutality, they should
introduce {" rings " into all departments of bust
ness and politics.-Boston Companion.