The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-11
A New Power in Politics.

New YORK, July 9.-Nearly two months ago
some one picked up this dispatch in the street,
ALBANY. May II.
"To Whitelaw Reid Editor of the Tribune. New York.
1.-THE excise bill will probably pass the AS
sembly tomorrow morning. Three commits
sioners will be appointed under it, one Repub-
lican. The bill will materially help the Repub-
lican party, giving Republican saloon-keepers in
the city the protection to which they are emit
tied and will prevent the use of the department
against us politically. SHERIDAN SHOOK"
The man who found the dispatch was evil
IDENTIFY muswump, for instead of sending it to
its owner he put it in a stamped envelope and
sent it to E. l.. Godkin, of the Evening Post
That apostle of mugwumpery printed it without
consulting Mr.. Reid, and ever since that time
the akti-Blaine journals have given Shad
Shook, his friends call him, ma
tional fame. Harper's Weekly has printed
his picture and classed him with Nike Cregan,
Jake Hess Barney Bgin, John ]. O'Rrien and
others of the boys who run the Republican ma
chine The classification is not quite correct.
He is superior to any of them, although not
quite so conspicuous Shook applies business
methods to politics He remains under cover
sometimes for years, watching the situation like
Wall-street Spectator When he does come to
the front he usually wins. He backs his judg-
ment with his money, and has won large sums In
election wagers He always keeps his head. No
tidal wave of enthusiasm ever carries him from
his feet. He rarely opens his mouth, and when
he does open it opens it only to tried and in
innate friends. He has ideas of his own, and
frequently impresses them upon the party or
ganization without reference to the plans of
putative leaders In making political deals he
equals Thurlow Weed. He makes no mistake in
his men, and he is never cheated. He has held
Office twice, once as supervisor, and
again collector of internal revenue in the
richest district in the United States From this
he was ousted through the Vaccinations of
Joshua F: Bailey. pharasaical reforIner. who
succeeded him. Within year afterward Bal
ley fed to Brazil, a defaulter to the extent of
nearly $500, 000 This was under Grants admin
istration. Shook has a long memory, and he
never forgets his friends. He turned up In Chi
cago, in $780, dead against the third-term men,
and the defeat of Grant was partly due to his
efforts.
When in the city, Shad. as his friends call
him. puts up at the Morton House. The Union
square Theater, which he built and which he re-
tains, is in the same building In summer he
spends much of his time on magnificent farm
near Undertook. He manages the farm him
self, and is as good farmer as he IS politi-
clan. His farm is the gem of Columbia
county His business interests frequently call
him to the city. At such times he may
be seen at night seated at little
table in the room of his hotel, surrounded by
friends. All talk but Shook He listens with a
chip hat squarelv planted his head. and an
swers in moaosyllables. Occasionally he smiles
but never laughs outright. He is baldheaded
and he wears heavy black mustache. His
portly figure and keen black eyes would attract
attention almost anywhere He is even more
deliberate in movement than he is in speech
His friends idolze him, and he implicitly trusts
them. How he reposes his trust in business
way was shown recently. For fifteen years he
has been partner of one of the largest brewers
in the city. His percentage of the profits was
sent to him regularly every month Repeatedly
his partner urged him to visit the establishment,
but he never found time. The other day, how
ever. he was out driving with friend. Their
cigars went out. Neither of them had match
Shook looked up. They were passing his
brewery.
Wait moment he said handing the reins
to his companion, ''Tll go in and get onen
He stalked into the office and went behind the