The morning call., 1892-03-07
Boss' Crimmins' Attempt to Boycott
Judge Campbell.
fDEPUTY COUNTY CLERK As ''STEERER. .
The Storm 1t Stirred Was Quickly Stilled, but
Not in Time to Conceal the Machines
Wicked InNardnesS.


internal. workings of political machines. have
not witnessed and can not appreciate the
political commissions that have threatened
the peace and safety of that department Of
justice and one or two auxlllaries for the
past few months.
1t all came about primarily from the fact
that people will get married, and the true
status of the case is substantially as follows:
When the slate was being prepared by
Crimmins and Kelly for the Republican
Nominating Convention Of 1890 an agree
ment was showed under the noses of those
slated for Justices of the Peace by the
terms of which they were to contribute ten
per cent of their salaries "for the good Of
the party" the finn of Kelly 81 Crimmlns,
treasurer, in con sideration of being named
as candidates OH the ticket.
A. first the aspirants, Messrs. Low, Brit
tan, Gray, Wood and Cook. murmured at
what they styled too oppressive compact.
They declared that $50 a month was too
high tariff to pay on so unimportant a
dignity as Justice of the Peace. Why n OF
equaliZe> the assessments by levying them
in proportion. and require the Superior
Judges and other high officials TO stand
their share of the burdens?
HoBsoN's CHOICE.
The great and august afbiters of political
destinies simply replied: Gentlemen, just
as you please. There are dozens outside
waiting and anxious to take your places"
Two or three of the Superior Judges who
were on the same slate advised the aspr-
ants named to accept the conditions.
arguing in justification that they could not
possibly lose anything by 1t, because they
would be entitled to many rich perqulsites
In the shape of fees for performing mar
riages. They would doubtless make in that
way much more than enough TO offset the
shrinkage Of their salaries.
This put new and brighter phase on he
case. Tney had not viewed it in that light.
Convinced that it would be all right the
favored five became parties to the agree
ment, were nominated and elected, and On
the first of the following year solemnly
clothed themselves in judicial ermine. From
that tme-at least tor a few months-aIl
went rs merry as wedding bell
An important factor in this affair is the
marriage-license department of the County
Clerks Office. IL occupies one deputy's un-
divided attention, to such an extent. iu-
deed, that he cannot spare any time for in
cldental services. Seldom day passes, the
year round. that one or more couples do not
ask as soon as they have obtained their
license if there is not some one in the build
iag who can marry them at once.
THE "sTEERER" APPEARS.
An affirmative answer is always given,
and forthwith another deputy appears and
eourIeeusly volunteers TO escort them into
the presence of the proper official. This
service has grown into department of no
mean significance. and the deputy who fills
it has become distinguished by the euphoni-
Gus title of the "Steerer." Experience has
taught that he must be a man peculiarly
adapted to the place, otherwise its impor-
tance is greatly lessened. IL every steer
does not yield from SO TO $40 vacancy
occurs and new ''steerer" is sworn in.
Orders as to where he sh III "steer" are
always--issaed to his principal from the
Headquarters ON Third street.
A man without great nerve, or, as 1t is
popularity expressed in the County Clerk s
office. ''gall," is woefully out of place as a
''steerer." For long time, Tom Tully,
who afterward represented one district Of
this city in the last legislature, fill d the
Deputy Blanchard.
Ghe law does not authorize public official
to accept fees for performing marriages,
and the Superior Judges never do accept
such fees. But the young innocents who
neither fear nor suspect the snares and pit
falls of wedlock do not know this. and are
therefore as easily vic.imized by the
steerer" RS they were by Cupid. On their
way from the Judges awful presence, bav-
ing been for the time being at least securely
welded and unconscious of whether Oh foot
or wing. the doughty swain hears seduc-
tive whisper In his OF ear.
WOULD STOP A STAGE.
ITS customary, you know, to give the
Judge a little s0methiDg-say So or So"
This more gentlemanly system of throw
up your hands +" is nearly always successful
and no blood is spilled. But the plunder
never gets to the Judge-that is, If it hap
pens to be a Superior Judge-it goes into
the "steerer's" pocket.
According to arrangements perfected on
Third street, the "steerer" was ordered to
steer" his victims into the justices courts
when the new administration took charge,
and the orders were obeyed. Everything
moved along smoothly till Justice Wood died
and his vacant chair was filled by the ap-
pointment of j. A. Campbell.
The new official had not fairly got into
position in his new seat before messenger
from Crimmins poked the old agreement be-
fore him and demanded his signature.
Campbell was little surprised at first.
BE rubbed his eyes, scratched his head, then
read the document again. Finally he looked
ND at the great politicians representative,
leaned over his desk and said in whisper
audible for some distance around:
TELL Mr., Crimmins for me to go to
H-alifaX."
He afterward remarked that there were
no strings on him. and bed be hanged if
he'd give up one cent of his salary. He was
appointed to the position without any PROM
ises and he intended TO draw all that was
due him.
NEW SAILING ORDERS.
The ''sieeret" received immediate orders
ITOIl lHlEu SbEcet w StetT cGeaE OI OalNp-
BELLS court in future, which, needless 10
say, he obeyed. Campbell soon discovered
that he was not getting his share of the
patronage and made complaint
Seeing that trouble was sure to follow il
that sort of business continued the "steerer"
was ordered to avoid the justices courts
altogether. This was ignoring the compact
with the other Justices, and IN an informal
council war was declared on the spot.
No attention was paid to it by the 'boss," I"
Il tlxn..
the man who would not be bossed he would
break his agreement with the whole depart
ment, intending by this means to drag
Campbell into line.
Campbell still stood firm. Meanwhile the
"steerer" steered his victims before the
Superior Judges and pocketed all the
plumber.
A storm was gathering In the Justice
Courts and it threatened to burst any
moment. Crimmins went in person to try
and still the troubled waters. The Justices
would accept no compromise. The agree
mens must be carried out or there would
be crash.
BACK INTO LINE.
Nothing remained but to order the
| "steerer" back into his old trail, but Camp
| bell was to be boycotted.
Campbell is fighter and a hard hitter.
| He told Crimmins right away that if he did
| not get his share OF the matrimonial patron
| age he would kick the combination into a
| thousand pieces aud give the public glimpse
| at the inside of the machine. A tempest
was brewing, and the boss was told the
exact date it would burst If he did not come
| to time.
| That was in the early part of last week.
| Suddenly the portentous cloud that had
| been lowering over the Justice Courts
cleared away. and now it is as serene there
| as moonlight night in Jude.
| The 'steerer" visits all the Justice Courts
with blind impartiality.
| Campbel's only reply when questioned
/ on the subject a day or two ago was:
'Qh, it's all right now."