The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-20
MATTHEW T. BRENNAN.

THE Ex-sHERIFF LYING AT THE POINT OF
DEATH-sKETcH OF HIS PROSPEROUS CAREER
MAN OF THE PEOPLE.
MIR. Matthew I. Brennan, ex-Comptroller exSherif
and cx-Polce Justice was in an extremely low con-
dtion last evening. and it was thought by his ply
sican that he would not survive the night
Mr. Brennan rose from the ranks of privation and
obscuriy and fought his way into of the foremost
public positions among his fellow citizens. The main
principles OF his success sobriety of habit,
steadiness OF purpose and morality of character.
Mr. Brennan born in Cherry street in 1872 After
receiving brief common school education he used
to do errands for his mother. who kept vegetable
stand at the old Franklin Market, which was
burned down in 1885. He afterward became attached
to Engine Company 81 then having their quarters
in Temple street. and subsequently he made fore
man of what called the volunteer roll call of the
Fire Department, composed OF young men who had
not reached the voting age and candidates for
enrolment in the regular fire companies.
His start in life bartender after the great
FIRE OF 1885, in place called Monroe Hail. corner Of
Centre and Pearl streets. kept by his brother Owen
W. Brennan. From there he went down town and
opened business for himself at the northeast
of Broadway and Cedar street, in basement,
where he dispensed coffee, cakes and oysters. He
remained there for four five years and gained
siderable custom. He afterward returned to Monroe
Hall and became proprietor OF the saloon the of
the establishment being carried by George Wool.
ridge, who had novelty show overhead
MIR. BRENNAS's ENTRANCE INTO POLITICS.
His entrance into politics made in the First
ward in controversy with the late Oliver Charlick.
and in this he not altogether successful: but
when he moved up to the Sixth ward the star of for
tune dawncd upon him ana he went on propitiously
to the end At this time his mother was living
AT he
and he never p .ssed day without calling her.
His al affection was OF the strongest possible kind
His mother died at the age of ninety While he
keeping the place already referred to he APP
pointed captain of the old police about 1851 Then
vacant by the death of Judge Magrath. and
was elected. This office he resigned to till the post
of Comptroller. on which his ambition chiefly
set, and to which he was elected after
spirited contest. Prior to this he the demo-
cratic State ticket for inspector of State Prisons. He
also in triangular contest for the Office Of
Register, his competitors being James Lynch and
John Keyser. Lynch was elected. After leaving the
Office OF Comptroller he appointed Police CON-
missioner. and while holding that Office he
elected to the position of Sheriff. the last
post in the gift Of the people, that he
to his nomination for Sheriff unless he and Charley
Loew would consent to cast their strength tor Oakley
Hall and Richard b. Connolly, candidates for Mayor
and Comptroller Hose Fire Company No. To
organized and named after Mr.. Brennan. After he
ceased to be sheriff he might he said to
have retired to private life, for he sell
dom heard OF aerward in the political arena.
The latter part Of his career az Sheriff was marked
ly the duty that made him custodian of William NJ.
Tweed and others of his former political associates
In the of one of Them Henry Genet. the Wig
lance of Que OF Mr.. Brennans subordinstes some
how relaxed and the escaped For this fault of
Deputy Shields Mr.. Brennan was punished along with
that official. Bothof them were confined in Ludlow
Street Jail for thirty days. from January till Feb
ruary o. 1874. He was prominently identified with
the politics of the city and his following uumer
Gus and powerful. The Matthew I. Brennan clubs,
balls and Larbecues demonstrated the hold he had
a strong element of the voting population. His name
sses ~ cty politc. and in truth he waa powef
in the political machinery of New York city.
As POLITICIAN.
As q politician he was essentially representative
man OF the democracy He was prudent in this
in other matters. weighing the chances we'll never
liking to embark in any enterprise whose leaky
aspect gave only slight promise Of success He was
a man Of and vigorous friendship well as of
strong antipathics. AZ a strict and conscientious
member OF his party and an unwavcring supporter
of the regular nominations. he combined in himself
greater elements OF strength than could be found
in any other quarter He was looked up to 10y the
poor Of his ward friend and protector, and
honored and esteemed by very large circle of
friends. He was man of large physique He had
an open, honest pleasant face, dark eyes, and
kindly genial manner His private life was blame
less He from any OF the social vices OF the
day. He lived a temperate life in all things was fond
of his Preside and family, and showed stanch dcyo
ton To mis- friends His habits OF living were Ofthe old
Fashioned type carly bed and early to rise up at
five clock in the morning. winter and summer, and
in his Office whether rs sheriff or Comptroller, hours
before any of his subornates thought OF stirring.
When Police Justice IL said OF him that he always
favored the administration OF justice tempered with
as much mercy aud lcniency as the nature of
the case would admit of. He had strong com
mon sense. which enabled him to grasp promptly
the points of the presented to him. and during
his judicial career he earned the hearty respect of the
entire conservative community, and he regarded
by the law officers of all ranks and degrees as the
reliable public servant in the range OF the police
judiciary.
A GOOD CoNpIRoLTER
While in the position of Comptroller he introduced
q thorough aud systematic administration of the
finances. While Comptroller incident occurred
which illustrated well the character Of the man. A