The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-05
BHhD AVIS IN POLITICs.
New Certain Respectable BaItimoreans
Undertook TO Reform the Plug Uglies.

some years before the war Baltimore was one
Of the nveliest places, about election times,
that could be found on this continent. The
people had strong partisan prejudicss, and
permitted themselves to ne ruled by them.
The politicians Of Baltimore in those
dave, I think, were the smartest in the
country and In their manasement Of political
AFFAIRS, think sometimes now 10 my old age,
were the real proqenitors OF the ruling class OF
politicians who have thrived aimee 10 Washing
ton and have controlled the destsnies Of this
nation. The manner in which the dainty aris-
tocrsts ranged themselves at the head OF their
Democratic followers. who stood up for blood
and led the Charge on their antagonists when
coop Of voters was TO be captured, was some
thing beautiful and inspirttlng to behold.
The COOP vas peculiar Baltimore institution,
just - soft crabs stewod In cream and devilled
hard crabs formerly were. when nrst knew
elections In Baltimore the names Of Plug Uglies
and Blood Tubs had not been invented. The
only troubles that occurred In election times
grew out OF the quarrels OF different fire com
panios, which were accustomed 10 make use Of
political feeling to get up Gre alarms which
would result In splendid fights, firearms being
freely used and II was a notable fact that par
ticipators in nremen's nghts which occurred
Just before election were never disturbed. The
almost every man In the city who thought he
was safe to stand up against another man, gen
tiemen Of fortune included, ana they always
went beeled.
II was not an unusual thing In those days for
gentleman residing on corner lot to be walked
up in the morning by loud reports under his
windows IN both streets, and upon looking out
10 see two Ere companies engaged in shooting
around the corner at each other. Each COM
pany would have fun possession OF one OF the
streets, and everything would be considered
fair in the Tight, even to sticking dummies
around the corner to be hot at. II the windows
were so arranged that an advantage could be
gained by shooting diaaonaiiy through the gen.
tlemsns parlor from one street to the other,
there would be no hesitation about doing II, and
II the old gentleman who owned the house Inn
prudenty got In the way, so much the worse
for the old gentleman. II he was tougher than
n charge OF buckshot, he would come out all
right. The only claim Of foul that ever knew
to be acknowledged In those days was when
rival company ared rusty screws out of their
guns. All the Reubentes ever saw said that
using rusty screws for snch a purpose was UNI
sentlemanly. The Rsubentes Hourished about
the time OF the California gold excitement.
The Plug Uelies came In later.
But ind that have not yet told what po-
litical coop was In those dsys-if Ned Pether-
bridge, United States Natl Agent, Ia still alive,
he viii remember all about them and correct
II am wrong-a COOP was a place that II was
easy TO get into, and extremely difficult to get
out Of A convenient location was chosen In
one OF the wards; supply Of whiskey laid in,
and ward committee appointed to patrol the
district. Pleasant youpg gentlemen who bad
large monthly incomes Witch they had exhaust
ed. or old gentlemen, who had never had any
incomes within the recollection OF the Oldest
inhabitant as they were going home late at
night were liable to be accosted by seductive
fellows, who, on the plea Of old Relationship
reaching back TO the nrst settlement of Mary
land. were asked to Join Ia . social glass OF
wine. The wine was taken, plenty Of morphine
having been dropped Ia the glass, and then our
friend tottertne steps were helped TO the coop.
Once In the ooop, thu name fate was sealed.
His drink was Immediately changed from
champagne to the wort of wbiskey, and In
few hours he was ready TO vote early and often.
I have always thought that in the Baltimore
ooops the repeating system Of America was
originated. However, the party that had the
voter Ia hand was Responsible for his appear
ancc at every voting place In the city, unless the
coop should be captured.
But II the coop should be captnred? In that
case the situation assumed a new phase. with
cries OF "Oh, you Whlgsl" and On. you Loco
Foooe!" upon one or the other side, the patriots
OF Baltimore I'm those days used tn charge upon
those receptacles OF voters. In surh cases the
beat men won, aud the bswildeTed captivss were
taken out and with slight change of drink,
voted cheerfully as they were told, and as often
as they were told.
One fall, election was approaching The
solid men Of the community met ia solemn con-
clave and came to tho conclusion that " this
coop business was TO continue, the purity OF
elections could not be ma intained. And SO they
resolved hat they would put a stop TO II. The
resolutions we're drawn up By one OF the oldest
citizens of Baltimore, and we're clothed In the
most elegant language.
by special invit alton, occupied a prominent
place upon the stage. My personal relations
with one Jim wIeRins, who was supposed to
control and could control large pro-
portion Of the rough element likely to
vote, made my presence desirable. The
committee OF bank presidents and other corpu-
lent citizens voted to meet at headquarters
and repair TO the polls. where they would march
up in PROCESSION, each la his own ward, ana de-
posit their votes according to their convictions,
aud by their moral influence ovsrawe the moo
who had ruled Biitimore 30 long. IL struck me
that all tbese solid old men Of capital marc hing
up To the polls To deposit their yotee for priuci-
Pie, and overawe by their presence tho tum ultu-
Gus mob. would be worth seeing.
IsueRestod that, instead Of mixing with the 81,
could do them moro geod-not being banker
myself-to 20 where j could overlook, as IL
were, the proceedings. So engaged a seat in
the front window Of Gilmore's Hotel. directly
opposite the polling place VI one OF the most
turbulent wards. Aud there l saw one Of tho
most In oppressive speeiaGIes 1t was ever my for
tune To witness. Thers were in that one ward
alone ~ least two hundred wealthy gentlemen.
representiug nine-tenths Of all the property Of
that ward, each OF them dressed IN immaculate
bToadc'oth, joined together for the purpose Of
overawing by their moral influence the veDality
OF politics represented by the Plug giles aud
Blood Tubs III the surglng crowd.
The spectacle, to my mind, would have been
still more Impressive II | had not been aware
from secret Information that every Plug Ugly
and Blood rub In that crowd was armed with
brad awI OF undoubted temper, and a
stern determination To try the instruments
OF torture UPON the persons Of the wealthy gen
tlemen ~ moral influence. And, when Ave
minutes after tho appearance upon the scene
OF these wealthy gentlemen, 1 saw every
one Of them plunging like a wild mustang