Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-11
A NEW POWER IN POLITICS.
"Shad Shook" a Politician who
Never Loses His Head.

Never Loses His Head.
NEW YORK, July 1O.-Nearly two
months ago some one picked 10 this dis
patch in the street:
ALBANY, May u.
To Wbjtela,0 Reid, Editor of the Tribune, Near
York:
The excise bill will probably pass the As
scmbly tomorrow morning. Three COmmis-
soner5 viii be appoin ed under ii. one Re-
publican. The bill will materially help the
Republican party, giving Republican saloon
keepers in the city the protection to which
they are entitled, AM will prevent the use of
the department against Us POLITICALLY.
SHERIDAN SHOOK.
The man who found the dispatch was
evidently a mugwump, for instead of
sending it to its owner he put it in a
stamped envelope and sent it to +. l..
GOdkin, OF the Evening Post. That apostle
of mugwumpery printed it without con-
sulting Mr.. Reid, and ever since that time
the anti-Blaine journals have been ring
ing the changes on it. Their comments
have given Shad Shook, as his friends
call him, national fame. Harper's
Weekly has printed his picture and
/ classed him with Mike Cregan, Jake Hess,
Barney Blglin. John J. O'Brien and others
OF the boys who run the Republican ma
! chine. The classification is not quite cor
| rect. He is superior TO any of them, al
/ though not quite so conspicuous. Shook
| applies business methods to politics. He
| remains under cover sometimes Tor years,
| watching the situation like Wall street
! sDeculator. When he does come to the
! front he usually wis. He backs mis-
! judgment with his money, aad has won
| large sums in election wagers. He al
ways keeps his head. No tidal wave OF
n hi,
liz rarely opens his mouth, and when he
does open 1t opens it only to tried and in.
| timate friends. he has ideas Of his own
and frequently Impresses them upon the
party organization without references to
the plans of putatiVe leaders. In making
political deals he equals Thurlow Weed.
| lie makes no mi stakes in his men, and he
is never cheated. He has held Office twice,
once a. Supervisor, and again is Collector
Of Internal Revenue in the richest district
! in the United States. From this he was
ousted through the Vaccinations OF
Joshua f. Bailey, apharisaical retormer,
| VINO succeeded MIN. Within year after
ward Bailey fed to Brazil, n defaulter TO
the extent OF nearly 100000. This was
under Grants administration. Shook
has long memory, aud he never forgets
his friends. He turned up in Chicago IN
| 1880 dead against the thnd-term mcu, AMI
he 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.
Ine Union Square Theatre, which he
| built and which he retains, is in tue came
| building. In summer he spends muCn OF
mis- time on Il magnificent farm. near Kin
derhook. lie manages the faru himself,
and is as good farmer as ne Is pOhu-
clan. His farm is the gem Of Columbia
county. His business interests frequently
call him to the city. AT such Tunes he
may be seen at night seated AT little
table in the DarroOm OF his hotel, SUI
rounded by friends. All talk but SHOOK
| lie listens with chip hat squarelY plant
ed on his head, and answers IN mOnosyl-
| tables. Occasionally be smlies, but never
laughs outright, He is bald headed, and
he wears heavy black m0ustacne. HIS
| pOrtly dgure aud keen black eyes would
/ attract attention almost anywhere. lie
is even more deliberate IN m0Vementthan
he is in speech. His friends idolIle him,
and he implicitly trusts them. How he
reposes his trust in n business way was
shown recently. Fordtteen years he has
been a partner of one Of the largest brew
crs in the city. His percentage OF the
/ profits was sent to him regularly every
! month. Repeatedly his partner urged
aim 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
we're passing his brewery.
WAIT moment he said, handing
the retns TO mis- companion, IN 20 in and
get one.'
lie stalked into the Uice anu went De-
hind tue railing. The old Scotch clerk,
who mad kept the books for years, was
dumbounded.
II want a match" shad said, III
quiet tone.
"Weel, dom it, mon, so to a grocery
and get one" was the indignant reply,
"and clear out OF here, or I'll call tue po-
/ Ice. ! never saw such assurance
shad never changed muscle. lie quietly
said: "l'm Mr.. Shook" and the scotch
man nearly fell from his seat IN terror.
| lie supplied him with matches ard pro-
fuse apologies, and asked him whether
be would not like to be shown over the
brewery.
"Not now," was the answer. 81 haven't
time" Aud no lighted his cigar and re-
Joined his friend.
John Morrssey greatly appreciated
Shocks friendship and sound Judgment.
one night Sbad, in talking with him,
referred 10 his brewing business.
"What do you know about your BUSH
nessY John asked. "Pll bet you a
basket OF wine that you can't tell where
your brewery stands"