The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-12

ther carried of most Of the Tammany votes and
George Opdyke republican. got in. Fernando then
abandoned local strife soon after went 10 Congress
and is there
The sorriest experience of the old Tammany So
ciety was with Tweed. He. mainly through the in
difference of the quiet members. captured the party
machinery, and how he ran It we all know Through
the efforts OF Governor Tilden Comptroller Kelly
Charles O'Conor and others Tweeds gang were
ousted, and Augustus schell. the present Grand
Sachem put on the togs. 1t is hardly necessary to
go into details OF recent events. We may add that
Manor Ely adds one more to the members of the
Tammany Society VINO nave Kept warm the Mayor
chair.
EXTENT OF MEMBERSHIP.
Soon after the war with Great Britain the Tam
many Society had over three thousand members.
There are not more than eight hundred now, and
large proportion OF these never come to the meet
ings. In the most exciting contests the vote has
risen to four hundred Usually from seventyfv
to hundred may be at tue regular meetings In
1851 1852 the old society had only ftynine active
members. and the greatest care was taken in adj
keep the society about it then stood. But
there soon came divisions IN the democratic
party-hards, softs. &c.-and the members OF
the society were, perhaps not unwillngly. made
more active in party work. To be Grand Sachem was
laudable ambition; so one and another got in
friends to vote for them and the society rapidly In
creased its membership.
The parades that once interested the town were
long ago abandoned. The very last turn out was at
the occupation OF the present hall, when about
hundred and fifty Indians mot in costume were in
procession. The FULLEST turn out OF late Years was at
the funeral of Grand Sachem Lorenzo b. Shepard,
about twenty years ago.
At first the society could hold property only to
such amount would produce income of $1,000
year. To make all smooth for the hall in Four
teenth street the sum extended to $50 600 year.
The present hall has been occupied little ten
years.
party, OF the Know Nothings Of the old hunkers and
barnburncrs. and the hards and softs, all more or
less disturbed and divided the Taminany Society
As to anti Masons they were dead against Them also
to Know Nothngs The equal rights or aggressive
party was noisy but short lived. Tho others were
democratic family quarrcls that are almost forgot
ten.
1t is now alleged that Comptroller Kelly is seeking
to get the upper hand i'll the society for his own pur
poses, and injunction has been granted, ON which
there is to be hearing soon. The HERALD has given
all the particulars of this new trouble.
WHENCE Is TAMMANYs POWER?
This remarkable society began with our national
government, and has continued unbroken and I'M
changed for ninety years Ii has exercised wonder
full influence in the choice OF officers ana the admn-
pent but is it harmless the dove. Often i'll it's
time this society OF few hundred active members,
and these represented by board OF thirteen sachems
of whom one was the Grand Sacheln usually WELD
ing unquestioned power, has worked wonders. Few
suspect and fewer comprehend tho extent OF the in
uence that this purely local association has exerted
To its agency, more than another, is due the fact
that for the last three-q quarters of century New
York city has been the most potent political centre in
the Union. Greater than party, inasmuc as 1t has
been the master and maker OF parties it has
political organization after another RISE flourish and
tall in endless succession; yet 1t has always been
ready with vgor unimpared, to challenge and attack
the next Imitators it has had in album
dance, but not one of them has succeeded in
catching that secret OF management that has given
Tammany its remarkable pernianency. The Tam
many party has not only furnished the most capable
politicians, but has managed to make alliances with
the most powerful outside of its own ranks For q
quarter of a century it has at time numbered
under its banner anywhere near majority or the
voters OF this city; yet during all this time it has
managed to hold almost uninterruptedly the lions
share of power. Is this remarkable power nearing
its end!