The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-05

and these. when in sickness and In peeuniary
ifflculty. were relieved through Tweed's gen
erous aid. As the Fire DEPARTMENT had Tor many
years exercised strong local political influence,
and even claimed the ONCE Of Register IA a ie.
ward for the faithful services 81 apo nular Cher
Engineer, the foreman OF " Big Six'' naturally
assured to municipal representation OF the ward
In which he dwet. Consequently ne ran Tor the
Aidermanship OF the Fourth Ward, but was e.
feated. Chsgrined at this untoward result, the
company persuaded their foreman to remove
from Vandewater street to Ruteers street, and
he was there placed In nomination for Assistant
Alderman OF the Seventh Ward. His election
laid the foundation OF prolonged polilical
career, his Influence speedily extending over the
Congressional District, proven through his cleo
ton as representative over Conrad Swack hamer,
Democratic RerieiO. Only once was he defeated,
aud then IN contest for the Aldermanship. bis
successful opponent being a gentleman by tue
name OF Fox, running on the American TICKET.
THE NEW HOUSE.
In 1859 new house W = erected for Big six"
In Henry street. near Gouverneur street, when
Tweed having resigned the foremauship, Alfred
Palmer, a coach blacksmith, was elected In his
place, with Richard Ktmmire IA an assistant.
remained the master spirit Of the Americas
crowd, and as such organized aud carried cut
the extended excursion OF the summer OF 1853,
during the course OF which " Big SIX with It's
full complement of men, visited Niagara Falls.
Quebec Portl inu, Me-, Boston, and many of the
intervening places. Upon her return from this
memorable trip when occupied ten DAYS. the
Americas WIS welcomed home by a tOrchltRht
parade Of friendly companies, the lirsest turn
out OF nreinen on such an occasion corded IN
the annals OF the department, attended BY an
almost universal Illumination Of engine houses.
when hand engines were being superseded by
those worked by steam, the Philadelphia ma
chine was disposed of toy the cry to some out
of-town company and Its place supplied by
handsome steamer drawn by nand, whlch was
sent In charge OF some OF the Amercus men 10
Uoon the day Of competition with foreign bu u
engines, the managers OF the exhibition would
not permit the Americus to be handled 10y ner
own men, but pl,c her IN custody OF some
memoers Of the London Fire Il iIade, WHO, un-
acquainted with the engines management, con
trIyed to Overturn the machine, damaging IL
considerably. his event was the last tnat
brought the name OF Auericus Engine Company
conspicuously before the puolc but the Greer
OF " Big six" nad virtually ceased when Tweed,
failing In tle chair business, opened a law office
IN Duane street. aud took w tue trade Of poll
Tics.
THE ANERIcUs CLUB.
The Americas Clue was org nized In 1s49 by
John Belts aud bout twenty fellow members
of the lire COMPANY, holding their social meet
ings at the engine house. Tweed did not be-
come "A member until seven years later. Inc
clue was modelled after the Nepsune CLUB. ~
sti uted by members OF "Old Six, ana stiil IN
existence. their club house being located at
shrewsbury Inlet. Toe main design OF the
Americas Association was tOtpend the sumner
months by tue sea snore Ia free aud easy man
ner. with boating, sailing, and ushi thrown IN,
at tue lowest pos ,ible expense. Every year one
or more parties were accustomed TO camp out
near tue higblinds Of Navssink doing tueir ca
tering and cooking unti tue farmers OF that vi
cinity. finding their cOrufeds and melon patches
unproitIbly depicted. entered legI protest
az inst further occupiti Oi that favorite camp
ing ground. Consequently. the Americas Club
pitcned their tent Iur several years alternately
at Northport, Port Jefferson, Glen Cove, ana
MdttinicOcK Point. until they finally settled
down at Indian HdrOor, near Greenwich, wnero
tneN OuiIt their 1rsl clue mouse.
lhis answered all tneir purposes until Tweed
came along. bringing In his train Henry Smith,
Walter Roche, Joseph ickson, sheridan shook,
! Charles ii. Hail, owen brennan, Judge Sn indle ,
| Ed. kearney. Charles Cornell, and other con-
sutcuOus politicians, when IL was enlarged u
suit their convenience. Later, wnen the mem
! bers came to wearing diamOnd-studded tigers
ana gold coat buttons-tnat Is to say hOou- two
wears before the Swapping Of the hing-these
| magnates Resolved upon ereltinx marine
! pd,ce, wnsi EN- a. prOpratey to uine. wine, aud
| lodge their friends from town. AT the nrsi
meeting held 10 further ieir project, SsOUO " 4
subscribed towards building and furnishing
new club mouse, anu all paid the amounts SUP
sctibsd save Andr j. Garvey, VINO did moi
make good MS promise. Ine AuerIcus was al
no time ponicdl ciuo, but SIMPLY u social and
convIvi / association.