The New York herald., 1879-12-03
A POLITICIAN SHOT.

THE NOTORIOUS ROUGH, ALDERMAN" M'MUL-
LEN, AT HIS DESPERATE WORK AGAIN
BREAKING UP PRIMARY CoNvENTIoNs-INTER-
FERENCE OF THE POLICE.
81 PHILArELPHIA. Dec. 2. 1879.
Great excitement attended the democratic primary
elections here to-day. The nominations were for
police magistrate and City Councils. Fights occurred
At almost every polling place. but the contests in
the Fourth and Fifth wards particularly bitter
IS many Of the old stagers in these wards had
started strong tickets in opposition to those
in tho interest or Speaker Randall. The
worst row of the day occurred in the
Fourth, ward between the Randall element
headed by the notorious ex-Alderman Bill McMullen
ana the anti'RandaltTilden element. For time
the Tildenites were supreme. They assembled in
hall ut Second and South streets. taking with them
some of the former supporters OF McMulen. The
alderman" had arranged for little picnic" at the
corner Of Eighth and Shippen streets, and when he
discovered the Tilden men had the advantage of him
he determined on immediate vengeance Indeed. the
antRandall men had withdrawn to the heart of the
Fifth ward, where alderman Bilr' has no influence
except such rs he used to-day-the bowie knife and
revolver.
DEADLY ENCOUNTER
McMullen took his "heelers" to the Tilden Iueet-
fng determined to break it up at all hazards. He
appeared at the Convention and was promptly
elected. This the signal for a fluht The worst
elements OF the CITY were represented on both sides
1t was rough against rough. Breaking in tho door
the McMulenites rushed pell-mel into the hall and
snort and bloody contest ensued. Four shots
were fred one entering the hand of notorious
rough named Jimmy Kane aud another grazing the
check Of Michael Garny. The Convention was CON-
pletely stormed. the invaders blocking the door
ways and forcing the Tilden men out of the
dows, after the fashion Of certain Butler coup at
Worcester, Mass. last year. The chairman
of the meeting dropped his gavel. then
was himself dropped out Of second story
window. Before the defeated party had time 20
form for return blow the news of the trouble
had reached Police Headquarters. and u squad of
reserve police under command of Lieutenant Crout
had been ordered to the scene. McMullen intended
to reorganize the Convention according to his
idoss and with his own followers. just he has
been accustomed to do, and was proceeding Ia
Tweed when the blue coats arrived. The police
lieutenant soon appreciated the situation, and or
made upon the police. In the halls, the
stairs, in the barroom and in the garret there
were hand-to hand encounters between the McMullen
"boys" and the officers. Pistol shots were heard.
daggers and knives cleaned, and chairs slung
around with dangerous force
BERNARD RILEY KILLED
As an officer subsequently, remarked, 1t was the
eral years. but they went coolly to work. first to
overawe the mob, then to arrest the leaders. Ber-
nard Riley was shot. supposed, by one
Charles McManus. but the assassin escaped during
the confusion. George Trenwith and Thomas Ryan
were arrested accessories to the CRIME. Bernard
Riley ded while being conveyed to the hospital.
Trenwith subsequently, admitted to bail, but
Thomas Ryan is held to await the verdict of the
Coroner's jury tomorrow. McMullen will probably
get of without punishment as he has done on sew
oral other occasions tho ground probably thst he
is o useful man to have around.