The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1893-12-08
NEW YORK LETTER.
Nnw Yong, November 24th, 1893.

4NEW h, NOfFulUCI Ill., 1913.
Who is Richard croker? Such a
a question would denote ignoraAce, II
asked in this locality. II ever there was
a man who achieved supremacy through
his own audaeity, it Is ''Dick" Croker.
ln few words the life OF the Tammany
chieftan can be told. Born in Ireland in
1833, he came to New York City in 1862.
Attended the public school. more o. less,
from 1852 10 1856. From 1856 10 1860 he
worked in the machine shop OF the Har-
lem railroad. About 1860 he became
prominent as the best trough and
tumble" fighter OF tie twenty-first ward.
During 1866 "Dick" as he was common
ly called, defeated Richard Lynch at a
Sunday prize fight, in Jones' Wood. His
political aspirations became apparent,
about the time he held the distinction OF
being .'de boss serspper," and in 1867 he
Was elected Alderman from the Eight
zenith Assembly district. Then began
his forward move among the lowest
classes of politicians, in the city, aud in
1873 he was elected Coroner. A year
ater he was indicted for the murder Of
james Mckenna. who In bar room
bEawl be shot sna Killed. Ills influence,
Ior as be expressed e bis @pniih with
certain city officials, was broughtto bear
in his favor, and after n short confne-
ment in the city prison, Coroner Croker
Twas released, as "the charge was not
proven" Less than two years after the
murder scandal, Croker was re-nomiBa-
ted for Coroner and again elected in spite
OF the stain with which he was be-
smirched. Bnt in 1879 he met his frat,
and perhaps thus far, his only defeat.
J id
| Coroner he was defeated. lie received a
nomination Tor Alderman in 1883 and i'm
mediAtely after his election he was ap-
pointed Fire commissioner By Mayor
s5rant. Ii was in lSS6 that Croker was
chosen az the leader oi Tammany Hal,
an event tina. has sFanspired TO be 4 sad
thing for the city OF New York. In 1889
this genius oi pugilis. and al around
| politician, was appointed city chamber
lain. He bad scarcely entered upon his
| duties, when he resigned, as he found
the work too ardaons, and perhaps not
as interesting as the prize ring In the
meantime Croker demonstrated that
Icieyerness. which has since character
| ICED his actions in all his manipalatious,
| by building mp an organization in Tam
many Hall, which riyaled in discipline
the great armies Of Europe, and gained
nnlimea power in the city OF New York.
Il was a. this period. that the notorious
''hig four" combine was formed. Mayor
Grant, Hickory face Tom" GilToJ, the
| present mayor. but then Commissioner
ot Public Works, aud Police Commits
sioner James ! Martin were taken in as
side partners by Boss Croker. When
Mayor Grants term expired IN 1920, =
committee consisting Of the most prom
iaen; business inen in the community,
called upon Mr. Croker and urged him 10
select reputable lawyer or merchant to
succeed Giant. Croker fatty refused to
lis,en 10 such rot, and furthermore
said ina. he did not wank 8 business man
| for the office. That settled il, the Car
Of Gotham had refused and the PEOPLE
had TO accep; Ton" Gilroy, whether be
vas their choice or nos. As Commissioner
al Public Works, Gslroy managed 10
work" the public much TO the delight
Of the favored contractors, and the coua-
bine OF which he Was part. The profits
derived fresn behind the throne" OF
Tammany Hall. occupied by Croker, Oe-
gan 10 show their enoTuity. when last
year. "ar' Croker paid s25p. eco cash for
several high elzssed race horses. This
iuAngarzied Cookers iGrE career, which
has been widened through The advice oi
Nike" DMyeF, the famous planger and
owner Ct race horses. lie bought farm
/ IN RSchsaed Springs n fashionable resors.
Tor sfU0. 900, ard residence in the city
EoT SIS, ,0e0. Not many months ago, the
political dictator paid $50, coo for .
breeding farm near Nashville The
Iquesiioa arises and still remains 10 be
answered, Where did Croker get all the
shekels2 Perhaps the mcsi available
way 10 reply 10 ihs query, woud be tc
ask another question. What Is he IN
politics for2 Il il no. time that thi:
ah1ser OF municipal privileges, and
depot was turned down." Not sinc<
the time OF Tweed and Kelley has thi.
lefty been so s'rougly held in the GRASP
oi uaonsiFoss rims" as il is today by
this powerful organization, under the
dic;AiIon OF one man and one boss
Every department OF the city govern
ment, Il Al his mercy and he reaFs ih'
money which the poor pay FOR pro
, ;ecl on" aud influence The result c
the las. election in this state. demon
straied the fact tina. ring rule Is doomed
In Brooklyn the same state OF affairs ex
listed as they do in New YORK, bnt tht
people have demoralixsd the notorou
!. ring which has misgoverned ard terror
ICED the city Of churches Tor so man,
= years. The NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ma
: chine has also been denounced, as tn
story Of the state teaches. Next year 81
election for mayor is TO be held IN thi
city. and already many organizations ar
getting together, and rs usual. Mr. Croke
viii ask "What are you going 10 do abou
ii?" II all go9d citizens unite and plac'
| in nomination = man above reproacn
aud courage, the peorIe will rise as the.
did in our sister city and reply to th'
Boss oy turning the rascals ont +"
WV. +. n. KoELscu.