Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-17
must be seIf-sustaining. To fail

in any direction must be to
fall-indeed, never to have risen.
Richard Croker-"Dick" Croker tells
more expressive story-is of Irish birth and
came here with his parents, when about
years old, in 1S47. His family was an nom
orable one, his grandfather having been In
spector General of the British army, an
uncle, member of Parliament for Cork and
another uncle, captain In the brltlsn
army, while other male relatives were
prominent.
He was especially popular among the
working men. The old volunteer fire de-
partment offered him an excellent fleld for
his peculiar talents There was as much
fighting between rival companies as there
was fighting of fires, and Croker was good
at both. He was engineer of the hrst steam
fire engine used in New York, and soon be-
came foreman of Engine Company 2o, dis
tingulshed position in those days. That
early experience with the fire department
really formed the basis of his public career,
Just as his fire department service laid the
groundwork of the public life of the late
Samuel j. Randall The volunteer fire de-
partments of New York and Philadelphia
were powerful political machines
In this hotbed of politics Dick Croker re-
ceived his first lessons in party manage
ment. His popularity was attested by his
election to the aldermanic chamber In 1867
while yet a very young man. He must
have been the satisfactory representative OF
his constituency, for they sent him back
term after term. He was appointed marshal
to collect arrears of taxes by Mayor Have
meyer, and in four months collected $500, 600
due the city. He then resigned. He was
made Coroner, then appointed Fire Com
missioner under Mayor Edison, resigned and
int
peculiarly fitted for this position, and the
New York Fire Department was materially
advanced in efficiency and pablic esteem.
Bonus of Fifteen Thousand.
City Chamberlain was the last office Mr..
Croker held. The salary is $4,000 year.
1t is understood that his successor takes but
5000 year, turning the balance over e1-
penses, about SIS, 900 a year, over to Mr..
Croker. The reason for this lay in the
sudden temporary breaking down of Mr.
Croker's health and his enforced absence in
Germany.
A long time after the murder in First
avenue and the acquittal of Croker by
jury and the public of any responsibility
tor that affair, man named Burke, known
as Burke the rioter," then in the last stage
of a fatal disease, called upon Mr. Croker
and begged his forgiveness for not having
appeared ut the latter's trial and testifying
as to the man who really fired the shot,
whom he, Burke, knew. Mr.. Croker freely
and with Characteristic magnanimity for
gave him for whatever injury the absence
of this witness had caused him. That tho
unhappy incident had very nearly ruined q
great career made the act still more
grateful.
Mr.. Croker Joined Tammany Hall early
in life. when he was vet member of En-
gine Company %, and has never strayed
from his allegiance. Other men have
dropped out and come back again, have
been on this side and that, but Croker
stood loyalty to his colors from his enlist
ment in the ranks to the present, now COM
mander in chief. He was soon the trusted
lieutenant of John Kelly and aided him
greatly in the reorganization of the order,
which took place in '73. In fact, his popu-
larity and influence had then already be-
come such as to excite the jealousy of Kelly.
He developed wonderful powers as an or
ganizer. powers more generally acknowl-
edged since his accession to the post made
vacant by Kelly's death.
Croker's Famous Magazine Article.
Mr. Croker's idea of politics is boldly
stated in his contribution to the February
number of the North american ReUieac He
regards political management as business,
just as banking. manufacturing or any
other similar calling is business, and il
should be run on business principles. Man
aged thus party can down any other party
whose managerial work is spasmodic and
whose energy is sporadic. After speaking
of the system of district leaderships and
strict accountability of subordinates ex-
acted by Tamnghny, he says:
Coincident with the plan that all the As.
thOrOUUlllU
after by experienced leaders who are in close
touch with the Central Committee, is the
borer is worthy OF his hire: in other words,
that good work is worth paying for, and in
order that it may be good must be paid for.
The affairs of a vast community are to be
Skilful men must administer
them. These men must be compensated.
The principle is precisely the same AS that
which governs the workings of a railway or
bank or d factory; and it is an Illustration
of the operation of sophistrieS and unsound
moralities, so much in vogue among our
closest reformers, that any persons vino
have outgrown the kindergarten should
shut their eyes to the obvious truth. Now,
since these officials must be paid, and well
paid, in order 10 insure able and constant
Service, why should they not be selected
from the membership of a society that
ganizes the victories of the dominant partyf
Why not? There we have the principles
of Tammany Hall in the studied phrase
ology of its great leader. The laborer is
of his hire. Tammany is the Ia
borer and organizer, and therefore Tammany
should be paid. But how? By the appro-
priation of the public patronage, of course.
And there is your one great cohesive power
that holds Tammany Hall well together
Values Honor Above Life.
But perhaps Mr.. Croker's work is more
conspicuous through his continuous efforts
to promote decency and honesty in the ranks