Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-01-17
RICH POLITICIANS.
MEN WHO OFFICER NEW YORK,
AND WHAT THEY SCHEDULE.

Fortunes Made 10 Iron-wives Who Have
Brought Large Bank Accounts-Levi p.
Morton the weaIthiest New York Poll
tician-No Money Made in Politics.
The wealth of politicians, or of those who
hold public Office, is subject of frequent
speculation. Many men who figure prom
inently before the public are put down as
wealthy, chiefly because they dress well and
spend money literally, when il is well known
to their intimate friends that they would not
be worth penny in the wide world il their
debts were paid. On the other hand, there
are scores of politicians, in and out of Office,
who are comparatively well Off in the worlds
goods and yet are not popularity supposed to
be worth much money.
Most Of the men of wealth in local politics
since the overthrow of Tweed's ring, in 1871,
acquired their means in private business en-
tirely aside from politics. A few contract
ors probably furnish the only exceptions to
the rule
PETER cooPER's HEIRS
Abram s. Hewitt and Edward Cooper,
present and past mayors, are beyond ques-
ton the two wealthiest men who have held
public Office in this city since Tweed's day.
Their great wealth was inherited from the
late Peter Cooper their individual fortunes
having been many times added TO by enor-
nous iron and other business interests.
One of the old school of local politicians
who were active in politics before the days OF
the civil war and since its close, ex-senator
John Fox is probably one Of the weathiest.
His fortune is estimated at upward of $780,
900, the bulk of which was acquired in the
iron business and fortunate investments which
be made in real estate.
Ex-SheriR Bernard Reilly came here in his
youth from Ireland, settled in the Seven
tenth ward, then known as Mackerelville,
and has ever since lived there. He learned
the, trade OF a carpenter, and nearly forty
years ago opened his first liquor store on
First avenue. He has always been a power
In the Tammany party of that ward. He in
vested largely III real estate, chiefly in tene-
ment property, and is reputed TO be worth
$4,000
Ex-Congressman Nicholas Muller has made
and spent couple of fair sized fortunes
They were made in his business of selling rail
road tickets in the Castle Garden agency for
sending immigrants west, but the money was
spent in politics and charity with lavish
hand. Mr.. Muller says he has had his fill of
political experience, and now he has settled
down on Staten Island on q beautiful estate
to enjoy the comforts brought by a third
ger agent of the Delaware, Lackawanna and
Western railroad
Ex-Alderman Jordan L. Mott is counted as
worth upward Of 81 10000, which he &C
quired in his extensive iron business He has
Tor many years taken an active part in poll
tics, but at considerable financial cost He
lives in mansion on upper Fifth avenue
which the late Ring Controller Richard B.
Connolly built for himself at a cost Of nearly
$500 600 Police Commissioner Charles F.
Mclean married Mr.. Motifs daughter, the
widow Of the late Park Commissioner Will
lam Ollife, from whose estate she inherited,
1t Is understood, about 81, OOO.CCO.
Ex-Alderman john W Jacobus, who has
been thrice defeated for county offices, is
worth about 100000, all made in business.
He carries on an extensive trucking business.
The deposed Republican leader of the
Eighth district, John j. OBrien, is by MANY
thought 70 be quite well Off in a pecuniary
sense, but it is not a well founded impression.
MIR. OBrien has his salary of 5000 q year as
chief OF the bureau of elections and is said to
be well loaded up with cable railroad stock,
which has no known market value at present
Mr.. OBrien has undoubtedly made a good
deal of money by reason of his political con-
nections, but little Of it has remained by
him, his friends claiming that all of it has
been spent "for the good of the party"
John Reilly, the Tammany leader OF the
Fourteenth district, has made a considerable
fortune, 'hich is placed in judicious real es-
tate investments in improved property Mr.
Reilly is believed to be worth close upon
$500, 900
MAYOR GRANTS ROLL.
Mayor-elect Grant inherited fortune of
about 500, coo, which his own energy has
largely increased. 1t is said that he will start
Of as mayor of the metropolis with at least
$4,000 TO his credit.
Judge p Henry Dugro. Of the superior
court, is undoubtedly tho wealthiest young
politician In the city, but he made no part of
his fortune in politics beyond his salary as
member of assembly, congressman and
judge. His father, the late Anthony Dugro,
who was one of the old board of ten govern
ors, as the almshouse commissioners were
termed before the board of charities and cor
rection was formed, left him, as his share of
an estate, upward Of 81 100000. This fortune
has since been more than doubled by lucky
real estate investments
Richard Croker, Tammanys leader is ONLY
moderately well off, probably being possessed
OF less than $50 900. Maurice j. Power, who
directs the destinies of the County Democ-
racy, has even less although he runs fine
art foundry in addition 10 discharging the
duties of police justice at IS 900 year. Fire
Commissioner Henry d. Purroy is said to be
worth about Sl5O,oO0, which he made by
tudicious investments in real estate
Ex-Sherif James O'Brien has made and
spent half a dozen fortunes, only one of
which was obtained in public Office, and that
was while he was sheriff. He keeps up now
pretty expensive living, both here in win
ter and in Saratoga during tho summer, but
none except himself knows what he is worth.
County Clerk Flack is set down as worth
500, GOO most of which was got by applica-
ton TO his business of book binding Aaue-
duct Contractor John O'Brien is probably
worth SS00,090 Public Printer Martin 3. |
Brown is reputed to have about $500, 600, and |
exJudge John McQuade nearly as much. |
The latter is q contractor.
The wealthiest Republican politician in the |
city Is undoubtedly Vice President-elect Levi |
p Morton, but not even his enemies allege |
that he ever made dollar by tho influence |
Of his political power. His fortune is set |
down at SIC, 600, 600. Ex-senator Thomas C. |
Piatt is said to be worth a round 81, 500, $50. |
New York Star
Fans an Old Institution.