The New York herald., 1879-12-28
TAM MANY'S TYRANNY.
District Leaders in Open Revolt
Against Their General.
"A VERY ARBITRARY MEASURE"
Coroner Flanagan and Michael Sgerson
Sound Defiant Trump.

The disafcction Of the Tammany organization in
many Assembly districts OF this city. made mani
fest the meeting OF the General Committee on Fri
day last. the prevailing topic of discussion IN
political circles last night 1t was conceded on all
sides that the leader had shown his weakness in the
strongest possible Light by refusing allow prima-
res be held in all the districts at the same time
Why should exception be made IN the cases
OF the Sixth. Twelfth. Thirteenth and Nine
teenth districts. except from fear on the
part of the chief that he would be unable to
carry them in his pocket as heretofore? The fact
was admitted that the opposition to zone man
power" had assumed most formidable proportions
in these and other districts. and consequently it
was feared that the machine" would have show
Of eectng their delegates to the next General Com
mittee But it may be stated that the trouble that
now seems gradually to be undermining the entire
Tammany organization Is not now. 1t dates
back to before the last election. Not only
in the four districts named above il there
q serious disafection. but similar state OF
affairs exists in almost every district in tho city.
The apparent smoothing over Of the trouble in one
district has invariably been succeeded by more
rious disputes between ambitious leaders in other
districts As evidence of this fact may be cited the
cases In tho Twelfth and Nineteenth Assembly dis
tricts In both charges Of having sold out the
lar candidates made, and no sooner was tho
Twelfth district overhauled than investigation
of tho questions at issue in the Nineteenth
district was inaugurated. With certain degree of
harmony restored this district fresh charges
in reference to the party management In the Sixth
and Thirteenth districts. But the trouble does not
appear to end here for If rumors regarding revolt
from party leadership in other districts correct.
there will be very lively time in Tammany
Hall next year. 1t has generally been the
policy OF the organization to settle ITS inter-
nal squabbles in private whenever possible.
but this custom has for once been abandoned. Had
it not been for the open mutiny in the General Com
mittce which took place Friday night last 1t is
doubtful If more than hint of the present chaotic
condition Of the organization in some districts
would ever have been the property Of the public.
BY the action OF some Of the more independent gen.
tlemen Of the committee however. the facts all
brought to light III
THE TROUBLE IN THE THIRTEENTH.
First in order comes tho trouble in the Thirteenth
district. Here Coroner Richard Flanagan has for
some years past had charge of the organization Mr.
Flanagan was and is still regarded Of the
most popular politicians in the city, and has held
elective offices ut different times. each occasion
running very far ahead of his ticket. He has been
close personal friend of tho present Tammany
leader, although it is said that he always in q
measure 'his own boss" In the Thirteenth district
Mr.. Flanagan has for some time past boen op-
posed by ex-Aderman James Barker. who on
several occasions sought to wrest the district
agement from his hands. He has thus far never
been successful. however. Before tho last election
Coroner Flanagan was u candidate for the Tammany
nomination for Sheriff. Ho might have been the
an,i-Tammany nominee it is said. had he chosen.
but for some reason other he refused propo-
sition of this nature. The present leader of
Tanmauy. however. had promised the Of
fce to Alderman William Il. Roberts.
and after M the . latter E gentleman dnaa. had 10 been
tent with denomination for Coroner. 1t is now
charged against Mr. Flanagan that, disappointed at
not receiving the Tammany shricvalty nomination,
he worked. and influenced his friends to work.
against the election Of Mr.. Roberts. the regular
it is claimed by those opposed to him. did
not pay his political assessment. and thus
further jeopardized tho interests OF the entire
Tammany ticket. These allegations have aroused the
indgnation OF the man who acts as spokesman
for the rest OF the Tammany and at the
last session OF the General Committee Mr.. Flanagan
warned by him that IL hc didn't got out OF the
party he would be put out. This threat OF one man.
speaking 1t were for tho loo members OF the
committee. is regarded with some degree OF wonder
by politicians In order to ascertain what Mr.. Flan
agan Thought OF the matter HERALD reporter talked
with him last night. After . long search through
the political haunts OF the city tho Coroner was
found smiling and chatting in the midst OF group
OF friends.
NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.
"You don't appear to be very much troubled over
many Hail. said tho reporter. and the Coroner
laughed rs he replied:-
mot at ALL Idont see anything to worry about"
"But you may be put out Of tho organizstionY
'.Well, Of course, that is possible, but even that
calamity does not make me quake with fear
slow did the present unpleasantness originator
IL suppose it had its origin in my refusing to pay
my political assessment. amounting to over thirty
fve hundred dollars"
..Why did you refuse to pay that amountY
because. my dear sir. l considered II too high.
The ofiico of Coroner is worth just $1,000 o year.
and in NV fOr n
Office is rather too much received q notice from
the Treasurer OF Tammany Hall. directly after was
renominated for the Coronership, stating that
required to subscribe that amount of money, aud
after fully considering tho matter concluded not
to heed the request.
.Did you have any other reason for not paying tho
eyes; was not candidate before the nominating
convention tor the Office OF Coroner. told my
friends long before the nominations made that
/ was desrous OF running on the county ticket for
tho Office of sheriff. could. IL had desired.
have obtained the anti-rammany nomination for
tho position. but preferred to stay with my
friends in Tammany did not want the position
OF Coroner, and said to all my friends. They
will bear me out in that
..It has been said that yon worked against certain
nominees the Tammany ticket. Is the charge
trucy
II the county ticket beaten II assuredly Is not
my fault l am only in ono district out OF the
twenty-four in tho city. But that is not the reason
why the Tammany leader is mad. oh. no! He is
disappointed because he received such small vote
for Governor in tho Thirteenth district. That's
what's the matter with him NOW. Will say that
could not help this The people wouldn't follow him.
They wouldn't be ruled by one man, and IL they
emphasized their decision through the ballot why
cannot help 1t. But that IL just what they are
doing. Tho leaders won't have 1t all their own way.
though"
'What DO you intend to doY'
al am going simply to defend myself nothing
more shall exert my power in the district, and
think I can carry it If try. As II Is now l have
some twenty -four delegates on the General Commit
tee, while tho other side has less than eighteen.
This is not tho first time havo boon at issue with
Tam, aud I'm pt afr tna
was killed politically by any means. US you
sec"
''But you may be beaten this timc?'
"Oh, don't know about that. Although the other
conflicts have had with tho Tammany leader did
not amount to serious disagreement as tho
present one, yet confess am not afraid Of meet
ing the issue. 1t Will BE- time enough for them
to crow after they have the battle.
The Tammany chictiain is q very overbcaring
man and will not liston to any opinion that is con-
trary to his own. At least have found him so. IL
no had not exerted his power last night he would