The Portland daily press., 1885-12-03
JOE MAcKIN's CAREER.
The Chicago Politician Who Has Just
Gone to Prison for Five Years.


Cincinnati COmmercldl OdLcltC.
Joe Mackin's career has been remarka-
BILE one. He came to Chicago ten or twelve
years ago from Philadelphia. He. has never
held but one office by popular election, and
that was as constable in Philadelphia. 1t is
said that an expose of his method of running
his Office led to his hurried departure from
Philadelphia. He made shit" immediate
ly on taking up his residence in Chicago.
First he started a saloon, and in a short time
he added q ken0-roOm He claims credit Tor
starting the practice of giving fried oyster
with every drink. Almost from the day Oh
his taking up his abode in Chicago he be-
came identified with Chicago politics, and he
very soon got to be known as professional
manipulation, to serve his own interests 1rst,
and secondly those of the Democracy. For
many years he was the right-hand man Of
Mike Mcdonald the notorious gambler and
Democratic boss of Chicago. Nearly all the
credit given to Mcdonald as political
sehemer should be awarded to Mackln.
Among the knowing ones IL IS Deneveu thas
Mcdonald paid Mackin regular salary OF
$3.50 month in order to keep him posted.
Mcdonald was vain of his reputation as
political boss, but he was only LonlS tne
Richelieu was Mackin This was wen under-
stood among the "insiders" in politics.
Among them Mackin was looked upon as
perfect Warwick. When Democrat wanted
to become candidate he always consumed
Mackin first if he was wise man; Even
Carter Harrison paid tribute TO MacKin
genius as a political wirepuller, although the
two men were never cordial 70 eacn OIher'
The aptitude of MaelSin for political organ
lied work was early recognized by MS elee-
ti0n to the position of secretary OF the COOK
county Democratic committee. Subsequent
ly he was made a member Of the State com
mittee and then was appointed state secre-
taTy Finally Mackin got to be known as
Secretary of all the committees. Inat
oAa go nc a rpOnlar fiflp.
For his services as such he received salary
of $500 year. This was his entire leglt-
mate income so far as known. And yet 1or
years Mac1in lived like lord. lie boarded
at the Palmer Hotel, and nobody dressed
finer than he. Three years ago Joe Maekln
married a very estimable and beautiful
young lady of Chicago, whose parents are
toerably well off in this worlds goods; but
Joe, it is said, did not draw. on them to meet
his heavy expenses. Outsiders often Won
dered where Joe got his money from, but
those who were posted knew that he bled the
politicians, Carter Harrison included, for his
'huenee.
Macxin was one Of the most popular men
in Chicago. Although he constantly lounged
around the palatial saloons OF Chicago, he
was strictly total abstalner, and even MS
enemies admit that he was ehaste and was
loving husband. He was known as Joe
chesterfield" Mackin, and his manners
earned him the name. No woman was more
gentle than he. The newspaper men of Chi
cago grow enthusiastic in describing MS sou
voice his genial smile, his amiablllty, his
generosity and his dry humor. Mackin is
the author of good many witty and world
ly-wise sayings now current in Chicago,
among them the following: Dress well II
you have to rob clothes line; Always
keep your nut head clear, me boy" He
called politicians who came to the front only
during the Presidential campaigns with an
eve to spoils, "Leap-year Democrats" Joe
had one habit that he carried to excess
smoking. When the sheriff called upon him.
at the county Jail and informed him that the
Supreme Court had decided against him, and
that he must get ready to go to Joliet peni-
tentiary in few hours, the only sign OF agl-
tation he gave was hard bite on a cigar,
and he walked into the door of the pen with
a fragrant Havana between his teeth.