The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-09
TAMMANY'S ORGANIZATION.
PARTY MEN ELsEWHERE TAINLY SEEK
TO INITIATE IT.

| Triumph OF Zenl and Mastery Manage
| ment-It. discipline IL as Sosupiste as
that of Army In the Fie'e-Ihe Sre"'
| Antiquity OF TIL. Powerful Association.
For years past Mr. Croker has received many
letters from Democrats oil over tho United
States asking him about the system OF organ
ization of Tammany Hall. in order that they
may utilize tho information In politics In their
own ncighborhoods. This year. especially
| aimee tho Chicago Convention. the inquiries
have been so numerous that II would take UP
| n creat part OF his time were he to try to an
| swer them oil in ful
Many of these inuuirers overlook the great
| size OF New York in forming their Ideas con-
corning the Tammany Hall political organize
ton. majority OF the writer's arc Democrats
| who live in small towns and cities or In rural
districts. and they seem to think that IL they
were to model their organizations aftor that OF
Tammany Hall they would poll more votes
than they do. and get along more harmoni-
ously and successfully. In their inquiries
they often assume that Tnmmany Hall Is one
central organization. and that Mr.. Croker
| looks after everything. to the uttermost detail.
| himself. unmindful that there nre thirty
district leaders. every one Of whom Is In
| charge OF a whole Assembly district with a
population larger than any Of tho small cities
OF the State. A district leader has to look
| after. on the average. about as many people as
there are In Troy. and more than there are in q
city like Elmira. Binghamton. Corning. ionk-
| ers. Hornellsvile. or WATERFOWL.
| 1t is not likely that many OF these inQulrers
| could get much good from a knowledge OF the
details OF the organization Of Tammany Hall.for
the conditions in New York are different from
those anywhere else. and the strength OF the
organization of Tammany Hall comes from its
adaptation to the conditions about 1t and its
readiness to be moulded by public opinion
and circumstance. An organization exactly
like Tammany Hall would probably be a
failure in Philadelphia. and 1t could not sue
coed in small city 80 vol Us some different
form OF party government. Mr.. Croker un-
doubtedly could give any man In the United
States valuable suggestions about politics and
the management OF voters. for that Is a sub
ject which he has studied all Of his life and
from many points of view. But to send advice
in answer to the many requests for sugges-
tiohs from him. might do harm. for with tools
80 excellent and instruments SO delicately bal
anced rs his. unframed and untitled hands
would be injured by their use.
What Mr.. Croker usually sends in answer to
these inquiries Is pleasant personal note and
O copy OF Tho By laws Of the Democratic Re-
publican General Committee ofthe City Of New
York. printed by Tammany Hall for tho year
1892" With these he may possibly forward q
little book OF 250 pages. which contains list
OF the "membsrs OF the Democratic Republic
can Committee OF the city of New York. Tam
many Hall. 1891" and which also includes tho
names OF the officers Of the General Committee
on Organzation.the standing committees. and
the basis Of district representation.
From these publications any ono could
readily get an idea Of the parliamentary gov
eminent ofthe meetings Of the Tammany Hall
committees. which does not materially differ
from the rules OF any other legislative body.
But it would be hard for him to understand
from the bylaws and other official publica-
tions what the workings of the Tammany Hall
organization are. how tho details OF the elec-
ton work are carried out. what the sources Of
power are. and. generally. the spirit and the
workings. OF the institution.
1t puzzles many Of the people who receive
copies Of these publications to see on the tito
Of RS GS New Psm
many Hall Is such IN old organization. having
several years , sinee celebrated its own eenten-
in the early days Of Tammnny Hall the two
1ican. the Federalist under the leadership OF
Alexander Hamilton and afterward OF Presi-
bnm Hohh 1hd w asG ba
the disintegration Of the Federalist party that
the present Democratic party was known by
fiIi changed its political name With Tho s
change in the name Of the party to which most
locumen ants it did not carry the change so far.
While the Republican party Of Thomas Jefler
son came to be known as tho Democrati,-
Republican party. and afterward as the DEM
title Of Tammany Hail changed only so far as
bers Of the Democratic Republican General
Committee Of the city of New York are now
'rhore ia another thing which somewhat con
ny Hall: and it still puzzles some men in New
and oL That is tho l e BETWEEN a tho
Society Of T2amm4any or the Columbian 4rner OF
political organization. it is the Society Of
!Tammany which owns the, building, on Four
teenth street and which celebrates the Fourth
OF July and other patriotic occasions. Ii Is II
benevolent and charitable organization. which
includes, some Republicans among its mem,
Sachem and tho directors as Sachems.. The
financial secretary is known rs the Wiskink ie
hs th ssrG9
eli, q Sycamore; and other on ials. .,,
The organization which Is known through
cally as the Democratic, itepublican party, Of
oWnea socey af nnes in9 to hold
many HaE h4ausH a % fts IL Of Thm
ton Of the bemoc f; Of New York Which used
to meet in, Apollo Hall came to DO known AS
Apollo Hall: another faction as Mozart Hall.
and again as Irving Hall; tho name CLEANSING
accoraing to tho meeting place. NATURAL y
the officers Of the Society Of. fammany. or the
Columbian Order. are prominent men in Tam
Grand Grand s So, is Commissioner, Of PUBLIC
and every one of the Sachems. thirteen in
number to correspond to the orig inal thirteen
states. is an ofllceholder Of high degree OK
cept two,Mr. Croker. who has held many
offices. and eX-Police Justice McQuade. who Is
interested n several big contracts.
The publications. which any one can get by
applying to Tammany Hall, give the details OF
tho political organization in full. There arc
three separate main committees-one known
as the General Committee. the next as the
Committee on Organization. and third as the
ing committees Of the Committee. on
RpF Tn and district committees;
standing county convention. II is divided and
apportloned among the Assembly districts on
the basis OF one member for every flfty. Demo-
cratic electors. Every district elects its own
General Committee for that district and tho
tute the General Committee for the city and