New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-01
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
TwEED,s POLITICAL STRENGTH.


attention to the possible influence Of william NJ Tweed
upon the coming elections In NewYOrk State, and while
his friends claim that he really holds the balance Of
power IN this State those OF the Democratic party who
put him In prison conceal their anxiety to the
possible strength he display The latter pretend to
ignore his political existence. claiming be indifferent
to his action that Of his friends and declaring that he
cannot influence 1900 1000 votes; nevertheless.
| their anxiety In manifested In yari0ns ways. The
friends OF Tweed tho other hand, claim that he can
affect the casting OF fully 2OOo0 $4,000 votes in this
city, In this they doubtless Dcude however, the anti
Tammany organizations forming in ward as well
as the old Tweed club organizations most Of which are
| no longer il existence. The feeling among Tweedt
friends against the Democratic nominee for Governor
| very intense; they have among themselves saving
which expresses their bitterness: "Tilden put Tweed n
jail and Green in Office" Their luminosity, however,
| appears greater than their strength.
The interest in this question, and the possible infu-
ence Tweed may have on the canvass have led TO care
full inquiry into the feeling, strength and design OF
those recognized the Tweed faction" and the
| dition OF the numerous Tweed clubs which existed
when he was in authority. In those days the clubs
played very important part In the distribution OF
Offices and exercised controlling influence in every
| department. To be identified with prominent Tweed
club was the initial step which all aspiring local poll
cians had to take to be successful. 1t became
well understood that tho authorities looked upon
members OF the clubs with especial favor. Opporuni-
ties for making money were freely opened to them.
SiDecres without number were created and filled with
the pabe instruments Of those in power. New streets
and avenues opened In every direction, an,icpat
ing years In advance the growth and needs OF the city
IN order to provide lucrative work as commissioners,
clerks and surveyors for the INTEL gent and use
full dependents and supporters In all this there we're
two chief purposes steadily kept in vew-O enrich the
leaders and to maintain their hold the public works
and moneys through the elections.
Hall tatfua fnrl NV
of the Democratic party this State by is traditions
and memories was tho convenient and recognized
medium through which tho masses could be reached.
and the wellknOwn battle cries sounded to deceive
better class VINO adhered to the party from early educa
ton and training But the control Of all this machinery,
and the utilization OF the and varied interests con-
nected with their operations obliged the chiefs to pro-
vide means for constant intercourse and consultation
with their followers and instruments which should be
safe and at the time FREQ from the suspicion OF
caucus maneuvers and plots Besides the natural rest
lessness of men engaged in nefarous enterprises, the
feeling protection in numbers and contact with others
influenced them, and helped to lead their
thoughts In the same channel. Tho clubs were the
natural ougrowth Of this want and soon were firmly es-
tablshed with every appliance that could minister to
dainty appetes and supply the peculiar needs Of the
members who like the cards they 80 skllfuly handled,
merely the instruments by which their iil'gotten
drawn in for their unscrupuius owners The
Americas, Blossom, Oriental, and William NJ Tweed
Seventh ward) Clubs the four principal ones
owned and controlled by the men in power. Besides
these many local clubs, nero ward organizations
OF politicians but deriving their nutrinent and
support from the fountain head, and contributing
in no small degree toward building up the power and
influence OF the Ring leaders. Like all other things set
in motion by these men, the clubs increased in magni
| tude and cost. The running expenses were
simply enormous. Tweed alone. and there is 10
| attn eaifa IN
paid out 100000 year to support them.
Here plans were matured for the election campaigns
and combinations made which often In single night
changed entire conduct Of the canvass and mater-
ally affected the results OF the elections The surprising
and yearly increasing majorties for the Iannanv Han
candidates were arranged for In the cubrooms and the
figures for certain districts designated beforehand to
vent mistakes election day BY all these means.
and by liberal personal and public charities Tweed
built up strong personal following OF men deVoted
wholly his interests His prosperity represented 10
them comfort and luxury for themselves and their
families. With his downfall and the consequent gem
era decentralization Of all the interests depending upon
him thousands Of his followers thrown ont OF eul-
ployment and In one way another were put to much
incOn venience and suffering.
All the old clubs are now broken up except one the
Blossom and that apparently Is almost gone from rack
proper support and the bankruptcy OF one OF It's TOT
mer ola ntrusted with It's funds The ORIENTAL ana
"
of mirrors. carpets, upholstery, and expensive MEX
nacks we're sold out under the auctioneers hammer
The Americas Club the real seat OF government OF ths
city for several Is dead, the membership ha'iuH
been eliminated by death, misfortune and judicial pro-
ceedings and OF the survivors living at 100 remote
distances in London Belgium Mexico Canada, and South
America TO attend the meetings conveniently. But QUIZ
ey and secretly the roll been recOnsructed and the
properiy and effects are held by some process OF law,
under cover In such way that the man who bore the
heaviest burden Of its maintenance may at some favor
able period IN the future receive MS own Win
usury The clubhouse at Greenwich, with Its gorgeous
furniture and its Respondent glitter Oh god anu glass;
has been leased for q Summer clearinghouse.
For three years the men who were so closely pahded
together I'm sefnteres been waiting for the storm
to blow over. Now the opponents OF the present Tam
many Hall management are systematically organizing
IN every election district In this city. The ward clubs
brought into life by the Ring having been disbanded,
the members are attaching themselves to the new or
CARNATIONS in sufficient numbers to acquire conroIand
to use Il when called upon. Shrewd observers DO not
hesitate to declare that the present organized oppos
ton 10 Tammany Hall poll 10000 votes. Others,
nerhaps not so well informed and more sangune put
ne t,onres anywhere from 10000 to 10000 votes but all
agree that 10000 not too large an estimate. Ihese
votes represent for the most part trained workers in
prmaries skilled In all the tactics OF modern potca
warfare They are formidable to be lightly aside
and TOO well informed political trckery to DO easily
deceived . MN,
The question which politicians are asking is: ""il
these organizations support Mr. Tden for Governor
and stand by the local nominations Tor city ana county
oficesY The Republican party managers comprehend
the s,tuaon and are doing all IN their power to widen
the breach and to keep the opposition from making
| COMPROMISE Probably no nominee could have been
distasteu TO old Ring and its adherents than
| Mr. Tilden For them. between Gen. DIX and Mr.
Tilden there Is choice. They balance the le-iong