Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-08-02
rAMMASY HALL.
Iss Early History. Principles. Etc
m. Y. Mail and Express.

Tammany Hall Just at present en-
cages consid cradle attention, and bis
tory of that institution may not prove
aninterestine. Il has always possessed
a bearing on the political history, not
only of the Stats bat also OF the conn
try. and has passed through many orlI-
liant victories and overwhelming de-
feats. The predecessor of lammsny
was the old organization known as tse
Liberty Bows, which, previous 10 the
American Revolution. fourlshed extern
sivelv in this CITY. 1t was the custom
of these Liberty Boys TO erect liberty
poles, as they were called, with appr9-
nriate ceremonies, and these proceed
inos were extremely obnoxious 10 the
British troops. The latter often vented
their spleen by levelinR these poles 70
the earth. At first the Liberty Boys
were content to remain passive spseti-
tors. but. AS the spirit OF opposition to
tyranny began TO strengthen, they be
came holder and conflicts often epsued.
These were the first blows stuck IN
contest that ended with the entire free
dom of the colonies from British rule.
The Liberty Boys had many original
ballads which they sang around TIER
liberty poles. The most popular song:
boweyer. was 1.-The Liberty Tree,
composed by Thomas Paine, the au-
thor of "The Age of Reason" and pub
Iisbed in the Pennsylvania HGgdziHs OF
July. I775. while Paine was editor OF
that periodical. The refrain was
From the east to the west, blow the
trumpet to arms,
Thro' the land let the sound of II hee;
Let the far and the near unite with
cheer.
In defense of our Liberty Tree.
At the close Of the great struggle there
were many conflicting views IN regard
to the form of Government TO be adopt
ed. The rich Tories, who still chung
fondly TO the forms of the mother
country. wished a second edition of
EngIand's Government. The Wings.
VINO were allied TO the Tories in spirit.
differed in their views and wished a
consolidated form of Government. with
a Dictator at its head, and Senate
whose meubers should hold Office for
life. Both parties desired 10 return to
all the aristocratic features of England.
The Democrats desired a constitution
al form as the object for which the
fathers of the Revolution held their
lives. their fortunes and their sacred
honor" Thus, until the adoption OF
the Constitution in 1883, there were two
parties-ths Tories, allied with the
Wings, and the Democrats. After the
adoption of the present Constitution,
the Tories and the Wings United, and
were thenceforth known as Federalists.
The most prominent leader was General
Schuyler, while George Clinton WAS the
acknowledged leader OF the Democratic
party.
TAMMANY FOUNDED.
In NAV, 1873, was founded the Tam
many Society, or the Columbian Order
Its character at first was not entirely
political, but partook of a benevolent
nature. One of the aims was to bring
the Indians of the surrounding country
TO more thorough knowledge of the
advantages of trade. IL may be re-
marked that the number of votes pollec
In the city of New York the year pre-
vious TO the formation OF the society
was only 5000, while Albany polled
5000. On July %, 1890, Alexander Mo
Gillwany, a half breed Cherokee Indian
educated in Europe, arrived III New
York, accompanied by delegation OF
thirty kings and chiefs. The latter Were
brought to the city by Colonel Marinus
Wiilett, who had been delegated by
General Washington to perform thai
duty, the object being to make treaty
with the Indians In regard to the pur
chase of a tract Of land. On this oc
oasisn we find the first appearance OF
the Tammany Society. The members
assembled at the wiRwam and marched
10 the Battery, dressed in Indian
AhAs h.
visitors, who were escorted t.
persons present were Governor George
Clinton; Chief Justice Day, NJ. Duane
the Mayor; Mr.. jefferson, Secretary oil
State. and MIR. Knox, Secretary of War
On October -, 1894, the society, in com
memoration of the discovery OF the
American continent, 800 hundred years
previous, by Christopher Columbus
erected transparent monument to the
discoverer in Tammany museum. This
museum was in the second story of the
brick building at the foot of Broad
street. which stood in the middle of the
roadway, and extended from Pearl 10
Water street. The building Was the
property of the city, but the authori-
ties had granted the use of the second
story to the Tammany Society for the
purposes of museum. The collection
consisted of presents made To the 80.
ciety, such as clubs. battle-axes, toma.
hawks, pipes, etc. 1t was jealousy
guarded by the Wiskinskie, or door
keeper. The first person who held thi,
office was Gardiner Baker, who received
small salary and was allowed 10 exact
fee from every visitor.
CHANGES BEGUN.
Everything worked smoothly for q
while, but Baker soon began to claim
rs his right all donations made to the
society. Three years OF intense excite.
ment followed. until finally compro
mise was effected whereby Baker was
allowed 10 keep the museum during his
life on condition of admitting the mem.
bers of the society without charge
Thus early was the "spoils" system
practiced by Tammany. The collec
ton, on the death Of Baker. was sold
in a very dilapidated condition. aue
formed the nucleus OF Scudder's Mu
scum. which later expanded into Bar
NUNS Museum.
THE wIowAM.
In 1879 the wigwam was situated OF
the southeast corner of Nassau anC
Spruce Streets. The building was orig
inally erected by an English settler, b,
the name Of Thomas Hale, on the ele
waited ground in that vicinity. Ii was
long, low frame building, two stories
high. In l770 William Beekman pur
chased the property OF Hale's widow
and used q portion of the building for
brewery.
At this period the road to Boston
crossed the fields in front of the house.
This is aow Park Row. The fields wer
the scene Of frequent conflicts bet weei
the Liberty Boys" and troops. Il
1888 the eminence surrounding the spo
on which the building stood was on
dewn. thus leaving the dwelling hiSl
and dry. basement of brick wa
built. and q high porch conducted tn
visitor TO the hall door. IL was now
public house, and favorite resort o
the "Sons of Liberty" In the bar
room, seated before the ample fireplace
the veterans Of the Revolution loved I,
gather and fight their battles over again
doubtless with many ingenious add
tions.
In 1874 the sign over the main en-
trance read:
-