New-York tribune., 1877-10-11
PTKROl At AY1CK.

PCKROf At NJACh.
1t was a great day for Nyack. when the De-
mocIacy of the IXth Senate District resolved
20 make it an historic field, by cOnvening there
for the nomination OF a candidate fol Senator.
The little village nestled down under the Au-
tumn sunshine and puTred with satisfaction at
her coming glory. Ii was greater day when
the Democracy actually convened upon this
momentOus business. and Alderman Purroy,
attended by an escort OF Bashl-BazOuks,
known locally as "heelcrs," entered upon
the scene The Hon. Mr.. PuToy is Presi-
dent OF the Board of Aldermen of this
city, and, in the absence of Mayor
Ely, the acting Mayor Ho is one of
the leading spirits i'll that noble band of men
10 whom Mr.. John Kelly assigns subordinate
functions in the government of this great city
and the management of the Democratic party.
But we need not dwell on Purroy. Not to know
that untiring statesman. is to be uncommon
green; suffice il that the hour and the
man met. Met at Nyack, and the man
was Purroy. Nor need we describe Nyack.
Nyack was comparatively speaking, at peace.
There was OF course, bnstling sort OF
consciousness that the Convention was COM
ing; that kind of nervous expectancy expe-
rienced in thinly-settled districts at the ap
proach of the circus but Nyack was what
might be called calm. Nyack was prepared
Tor the Convention. For the Convention and all
that the word implies. But there is reason to
believe that Nyack had not counted on Pur-
roy. Somewhat as a delegate, but more as a
swift and sudden revelation, PurTOy burst
upon the convention, and upon Nyack. Feel
ing himself TO be something more than an or
dnary delegate, from his official position as
President of the Board of Aldermen, and his
high rank among the Tammany leaders of the
city Democracy, he did not hesitate to as
sumo the direction of the Conventions pro-
ceedngs. Doubtless the Convention felt hon
ortd by the presence of the great Purroy; the
small waves curled care sses on the shore at
Nyack because Purroy was there; the yellow
pumpkins laughed with delight in the fields,
and tne atmosphere under the golden sun of
October was az mellow--as mclOw-almOst as
mellow as Purroy ana his "heelers." But
whether this was strictly so or not one thing is
certain: PurrOy was there. And running the
Convention.
Purroy il, as all the world knows, gifted-pe-
cuharly gifted. This was Convention III which
he exercised his gifts. Partly from the chin
but more particularly from the shoulder. The
Convention having been organized contrary to
Democratic precedent and usage, without any
body having been knocked down and trampled
upon and dragged out, the roll call of dele
gates was begun, when it occurred to Alder
man Purroy that the affair had gone far
enough without having a distinctive Demo-
cratic character. 1t was not for a Demo
cratic President OF New-YOrk Board
of Aldermen, and recognized leader
of Tammany Hall, and friend of John
Kelly to permit this ridiculous state of things
to continue. Here was peace utterly un-
Democratic, a harmony absolutely stagnant
And in the very midst of it, with his coat
tails trailing i'll the aisle to be stepped on, and
chips on his shoulders till you almost couldn't
see his ears sat Alderman Purloy, dsgusted
fairy spOIng for something honestly Demo-
cratic to break the monotony burning for an
opportunity to illustrate, in some large and
hearty way, the principles and practice of the
party, and make good his own claim 20 be one
of its chief exponents and trusted leaders
1t came, and he seized it with both hands.
There was some question about the right of
a delegate to a seat. Purroy pulled himself
together and sad "NOw il begins to seem
"natural This looks something like Demo-
"cratlc Convention" The precise merits of
the question cannot be gathered from any of
the reporters who escaped nor is it certain
that Alderman Purroy had the slightest
knowledge of them. He knew, however, that
the Convention had struck, at last, the only
issue the party recognizes as vital, and
he rose up to the occasion. Until now
he had been only ali mcessant mover of
motions, and frequent and Interruptions
sputterer. Now he rose up 10 read some kind
of a document relating to the contested seat.
We can easily believe he began the reading
in an impressive manner, with his coat tails
dragging, and chips of defiance ready TO top
pie over into each ear at the slightest touch.
1t was the supreme moment Of the Conven-