The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-17

were carrying on their work all the time,
irrespective OF Sullivan, but he kept writ
ing to the leaders begging them not to de-
clare themselves until an agreement with
the Republican candidate could be arrived
at BY securing the delay Sullivan OBJ
tanned from Stephen Elkins So, 900 to hold
a public meeting in the Academy of Music
in New York, and he placed that sum in
the hands OF his friend Kerwin. He then
met the committee OF the New York Blaine
organization and informed them that the
academy had been hired and that the
money TO pay the expenses mot mention
ing The amount) had been subscribed by
half dozen Irish citizens having no con-
nection with politics, and that they gave
it on the express condition that no one
should speak at that meeting but Alexan-
der Sullivan. This raised storm which
came well nigh wrecking the anti-Cleve-
land movement, and nothing but the
fanaticism OF their hatred to Cleveland
meeting.
THE DEFEAT OF BLAINE.
Sullivan's friend Kerwin was placed on
the Printing Committee, and he, without
the knowledge OF the TWO other commit
teemen, or the consent OF the organization,
got the tickets and the posters printed
with the name of Sullivan standing alone
The meeting was held, but the pickering
and heartburning which this trick OF Sulli-
van caused drove thousands OF New York
lrishmen back TO the support OF Cleveland
Some engaged in that movement assert
most positively that the action OF Sullivan
was the direct cause of the defeat OF Blaine.
The name OF the New York organization
was "the lrish-American Anti-Cleveland
Union" Sullivan, in that campaign, OBJ
tanned $50, 900 from the Republican lead
ers, OF which the New York Irish organi-
zation did not receive 81. They paid their
own expenses and were given only $500
by the Republican State Committee.
Sullivan opened his headquarters in Fifth
avenue, near Twenty-fiith street, with a
large staff Of clerks, and called the place
the headquarters OF 'The Irish American
Anti-Cleveland Union OF the United
States" an organization which had no ex-
isience. The principal work done at the
headquarters was the sending out OF letters
and kilograms asking friends in, various
parts OF the country to get the Republican
committees 10 send them Mr.. Alex Sulli-
van as speaker. Wherever he went 10
speak he telegraphed along the route to
get up demonstration for him. No gen.
uine political work was done. Some OF
the speeches published in the newspapers,
which go; Sullivan great reputation, were
never delivered.
During all this time Pat Egan was the
friend and tool of Sullivan. Egan was
president OF the Irish National League and
under the influence OF Sullivan, Pat Ford,
Dick Kerens and other jobbing politicians
he attempted TO make the great Irish or
ganization Blaine election machine. The
members Of the National League, however,
protested so acknowledgement OF them
being Democrats-that Egan was forced to
desist and issue pronunciamento declar-
ing the league 10 be non-partisan in Amer
lean politics. The oath.bound murder So
ciety called the Clan-na-Gael, however,
was worked 10 perfection, and under the
direction OF the triangle" nearly every
man In the order voted for Blaine and Lo-
gan. Word was passed around under
Sulliyan's direction TO the different camps
that II Blaine was elected President n wal
with England would inevitably follow. II
was this tempting bait that caught the
rank and file Of the order, while the bosses
like Sullivan. Ford, Finerty, Kerwin and
Egan were bribed with promises OF office.
The dickering between the Clan-na-Gael
and Blaine was carried on by Alexander
Sullivan and Dick Kerens for the Gamma
Gael and by Steve Elkins and Blaine him
self for the other side.