New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-23
STRENGTH AND METHODS OF TIE infant
TAMMANY.

TAMMANY.
TIE AGE AND INFLUENCE OF THE CANAL EING-TnE
SYSTEM OF CONTRACTS DURING The WAR
FRAUDS ~ MEASUREMENT AND QUANTITIES.
PETTY THlFIs or CONTRACTORS.
FRO TIE REGULAR coaREsrosDESr OF THE TaIBUSEl
ALBANY, March 22-The Inland Tammany is by
no means pzrtcau. The average duration OF a Ring
is considerably less than 4 GcneraiIoa-" in the
morning, it n)urisheth and groweth NJ; in tie
evening, il is cut down and withcrcth." Thieves
fa to Il slting, hone t men occasionally get their
due, ard Rings die If all diseases but cid age. But
the Canal Ring has lasted long and WELL 1t has
stcathiiy infused itself ia,o both parties. When it
has failed 81 control one Convention it has attacked
another, and lie Canal Ring nominee has received
its impartial support, without regard to politics or
principle it has thus STRENGTHENED itself
on both sides. In each party lis ntnenc- has been
used 10 augment Its own power, and each party has
hcsateG at exposure because Of the political danger
that it invoked. Thus has the Ring worked and
watched and plotted ceaseicss.y, and for SO long
time that veteran politicians confess themselves I'M
able to say when the Canal Ring became visible
clement in the politics Of the State Ct New-lork.
The oldo4. Inhabitants remember it, and it dates
back for at least quarter Of a century, which Tor
Ring is a venerable old Soiac of is pal.niest
days began with the war. Money flowed recklessly
then in all channels national, State and local Ex-
travagancc and theft held carnival at Albany as at
other capitals, and when perhaps million was
being voted for patriotic purposes, it
was easy to Sip through steal Of
small fifty thousand for canals. The
confusion and turmoil of war times added TO the
opportunities Of thieves. who stole from one end of
the country while the other end was on fire. And
here. as in too many otLcr departments of industry
and life not only the spirit but the legacy of The
war was decentralization. Tie system of contracts
which grew into the perfection Of rascality in the
turbulent days of civil conflict when patriots forgot
that they were Taxpayers, was fastened as yoke
upon the neck of the State and has gaedt until now.
The Inland Tammany is perhaps hardly as powerful
in politics as it once,was. 1t was badly defeated at
Syracuse last Summer in its attempt to replace III
den by Church, and is in frightened yet angry
mood. Doubtless some Of the apparent diminuton
of strength which it has undergone is due to
its studied effort to conceal its organization
and deprecate its influence but it is still an active
and powerful body, and as revengefui as II was III
more prosperous days. The defeat OF the King at
Syracuse was ascribed by its members to a breach
of faith on the part Of the Kings County delegation
They held their peace and bided their time. The
session of the Legislature came. United States
Senator was to be nominated and for wonder sl the
friends Of Church and Tilden were found working
In behalf of the same candidate The supporters OF
Henry C. Murphy made repeated overtures to the
Canal Ring. but they were all treated with dsdain.
The caucus came, and Henry c. Murphy, after the
infinite bluster and brag of his supporters. emerged
with pitifu vote of nine, while Francis Herman re-
ceiyed r. As tho last name was called,
and the last vote was cast Tor FRAN
cis Herman. q prominent manipulation of the
Canal RING standing near me gave his pocket
ouet slap of satisfaction and said, THAT score Is
settled.v That the Canal Ring has not abandoned
. belief in its omnpotence was shown by his sab
ssousnt remark that if the Brooklyn people had
stood firm at Syracuse Mr. Murphy might have
been Governor or Senator. just as he preferred.
Gov. TIlden has attacked faction powerful enough
70 make and unmake Governors and Senators, and
confident enough to boast that it will control the
delegation from this State in the Democratic Con-
veption of 1870 The full courage Of the act seen
in tho light of these facts is still more conspicu-
ana wben Il ia remembered that the Governor has
intensified the political opposition Of this cabal
into furious personal hatred which will stop at
nothing on it, way to revenge.
Whothor tho Canal Ring Ia less powerful than 1t
va. il 4 question which tho politicians may settle