Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-12
KICKING AGAINST THE PRICKs.

KICKING AGAINST THE PRICKS.
The Republican journals are engaged
just now in endeavoring to show that
the election OF Judge Crisp as speaker OF
the house of representatives is a triumph
of Tammany hall.
Well, what OF it? Tammany hall has
embraced in it's membership, at various
times, the most illustrious Democrats
who have figured in our political history
from the state of New York. 1t may be
freely admitted that, at various stages,
men whose purposes were not patriotic
gained the upper hand in that organiza-
ton, but their reign was not OF long du-
ration. William M. Tweed was one of
these men, and he was cast out of Tam
many and into prison by men who were
affiliated with Tammanv. The organiza-
ton was purified and energized.
1t was perhaps unfortunate for the
country, and certainly for the Dem
ocratic party, that John Kelly
was for a time at the head
of that organization. He certainly
defeated Lucius Robinson for governor
OF New York ana was perhaps instru-
mental in the defeat of Hancock
although he always denied the latter
charge-but there was surely nothing
corrupt in the ascendancy of John
Kelly. No man ever lived who accused
this dead political leader OF the slightest
lapse in an absolutely fastidious personal
integrity. His great fault was that be
was as vindictive as an Indian, and that
he yielded to his resentments. Under
his quite prolonged ascendancy Tam
many stood for honest city government.
The great objection which Republi-
cans have to Tammany Hall is that that
organization is so forceiul and thor
oughly disciplined that it has been able
to beat both the Republicans and the
disaffected Democrats combined. 1t
elected Hugh Grant mayor over
malign combination OF the Republicans
and the County Democracy. In the re-
cent campaign it nominated Roswell P.
Flower for governor; and, with the
assistance OF the "Unterrifed" of the
interior, it elected him.
The allegation that Tammany elected
Judge Crisp speaker is absolutely un-
supported. But suppose it were true?
That gentleman is recognized far and
wide as one of the most accomplished
and powerful Democrats in the land.
He will make model presiding officer,
and under hig direction the large Dem
ocratic majority Of the house will be
held within the lines of practical polit-
ical wisdom. The abuses OF the McKin-
ley bill will be attacked in detail, and
the Republican senate will be forced in
very shame to concur in the initial legis-
lation which, with success in the COM
ing presidential election, will result in
splendid scheme OF tariff revision and
reduction.
Driven to desperation by their inabil-
ity to successfully attack Speaker Crisp,
the Republicans have fallen back upon
the fact that he was born in England.
and came an infant in arms TO this
country, 1t is generally admitted that
Andrew Jackson, after Jefferson the
most illustrious of our Democratic presi-
dents, came to this country an infant
in arms. We have never heard that
the fact that he was born on ship board
on the passage from Ireland to this
country ever in any degree impaired his
splendid and electrical Americanism.
The Republicans cannot conceal their
chagrin over the election of Crisp. They |
know that it means that conservative |
and winning tactics, such as character |
lied the platform ON which Mr.. Cleve-
land was elected in 1884, are going to |
govern the coming Democratic national |
of 1892. The fact that the
"Tiger," by which name the Republi-
cans delight to characterize Tammany,
has his claws well sharpened, will not
lnjure the party in the least. It was
we'll for Flower in the late election that
the organization of Tammany was so
perfect, and that it's spirit was SO in
yincible. The details OF the vote showed
very clearly that Jacob Sloat Fassett,
the Republican candidate for governor,
had made one Of those disgraceful dick
ers with disaffected Democrats which
was only defeated by the splendid gem
eralship OF Tammany.
Three cheers and tiger for the
Tiger"
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