New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-03
THE TAMMANY SOCIETY.
WILL IT'S CHATTER BE ANNULLED?-A PROPOSITION
TO ABOLISH SECRET MEETINGS.


WILL IT'S CHATTER BE ANNULLED2-A PROPOSITION
TO ABOLISH SECRET MEETINGS
Much has been said Of late with reference to
the Tammany Society and its influence on the Tanmany
General Committee. 1t has been alleged that the latter
was directed by the Board Of Sachems of the Tamnany
Society who control the building in Fourteenthst where
the General Committee holds its meetings and in case of
contest can say committee shall be allowed to use
the buJjng and can thus give it the stamp regularity
This power has been exercised several occasions the
last time in the Winter Of 1s69-7O, when the Young
Democracy. headed by Michael Norton, Thomas j.
Creaer Henry w. Genet and others endeayored to over
throw Tweed, Sweeney, Connolly and Hall. and obtain
the OF tho General Committee, and through
It OF the rich places in the City Govern
ment The Board OF Saehems, then in the
Ring crest refused to allow the Young Democracy to
enter the Hail. large force Of police having been placed
at the entrance, and the opposition retired and met in
Irving Hall. Threats openly made by the antTam
many iaders that the charter Of the Tammany Society
shall DC revoked by the Legislature at its next session on
the ground that violated the provisions OF this doc
ument 10y interfering in political matters when IL Is
osensiOy benevolent organ cation. The situation has
been disguised by the prominent members of the Society
Mapy-perhaps maiOry-are Of the opinion that there
Is no necessity tor longer continuing it secret society
When first organized, one OF its main objects was
IN UNFOLD the Republican Of Government, then and
for several years afterwa considered 10 be threatened
by a party which favored a constitutional monarchy
since the reorganization Tammany Han by John Kelly
Abram g Hewitt j. Winthrop Chanler and others Of Ike
character il asserted that there has been no attempt
made 20 control the Tammany General Committee
through the Board Of sachems OF the Tammauy Society
Charges that this has been done have been made and
is urged that the easiest way of refutns them is 10 re-
move tho vail Of secrecy from tie meetings. Tie by
law, can DO 80 amended 10 allow this As to
the a. ertion that the charter of tho Society
will be- revoked, this occasions no uneas-
ness II this should De done il is asserted that the Soc
ETY. Will ~ once reOrganze under the general law Of The
State with reference to benevolent societies IL is not
ANTICIPATED however that the charter viii be annucd
The organization owns the property in Fourteenth-st,
which is heavily mortgasod The question arises, If the
Society should broken mp through the abrOgaon Of
the charter who would succeed to the property and its
respons Utilities These matters are likely 10 be dis
cused az the meeting OF the Society Monday evening
next.
During the present week informal meetings Of the
sacbeu Of the Tammauy Society have been held 10
slider the propriety Of amending the bylaws in such
manner as 10 make il no longer secret organization
other important changes have also been suggested \
number Of the sachems held conference yesterday NJ
ternoon, at TaInmany Han. Soon after o'clock John
Kelly arrived. and among others present were
Abram 3 Hewitt, Augustus seheI, George Forrest,
j.. l.. Dopney. Henry L. Clinton, Thomas Dunlap,
NatbaDiel Irwin william c. Conner Joel Stevens, and
WiIior Walsh County Clerk. The conference lasted
two hours and Messrs Hewitt Clinton, Kelly, Scheu,
ana Walsh were the principal sptaser'' II Is under .
Tsmmany Han ticket az the Lite election were fully dis
cossed 1t is said that in&j"riiy 81 me members
present were IN favor oi tho proposed change
from a e ret open Ocgluiza1on IN order that the
public might longer nave The impression that the
Com u Zee The neetng OF The Society on Monday evening
Il expected To be large ms 1t ~ understood
rrobaDly a committee will he appointed TO prepare
report cmbodying the proposed alterations.