Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-06
rAMMANY.


 The prominence of Tammany on the Fourth of July recalls the history of that wonderful organization. that grew from a handful of men to such power that it controlled national politics. Tammany was organized when Washington was elected President. It's avowed purp : was to represent the people and maintain Democratic doctrines. It was opposed to the Tederalists and aristocrats. It sym pathized with the French revolution, It was opposed to the Society of Cincin- nati." which was supposed to represent English aristoeratie ideas. It's Indian name and Indian tomahawk gave an idea of the spirit that animated it's founders. Il Is only in latter days that it has been referred to as a tiger. Tammany i'm bibed it's best principles from Jefferson. and opposed Hamilton and his monarch ial ideas. Tn the formal organization it was set forth that the purpose was benevolent and charitable association. but this soon gave way to politics exclu- sively.
 Ten years ago Tammany reached the acme of it's power It had the discipline of an army. and it controlled 120.0OO' votes. The commander had the power of a general-in-chief. Every department of New York city was in it's power. It commanded an annual pay roll of $12,- 100000 and an annual expenditure of $40, 000.000 Some of the most prominent names in American history have been enrolled on Tammany's list of members. There is Governor Clinton, Melancthon Smith, Martin VanBuren, Aaron Burr. Samuel J. Tilden and others equally as prominent Tammany never paid any attentinon to society, and seemed to ig- nore the power in politics of social pres tige. The nearest attempt at social rec ognition was at the naval review of 1892, when Mayor Grant led the official ball with a lady who was society lead CT Tammany has kept alive the spread eagle spirit and especially encourages it on the Fourth of July. In the early his tory of the country this service of Tam many was very important. for it kept pa triotism at a white heat and served to weld the discordant elements of the Un- ton into harmonious whole.
 The first trickery of Tammany was per petrated in 1797. Aaron Burr passed a bill through the Legislature giving the Manhattan Company the privilege of supplying pure water to the city. The company made a large sum out of the contract. One of the old wooden pipes laid by that company was dug up during the Parkhurst investigation of last year, and was exhibited near the city hall. Tammany has always been in favor of internal improvements with one excep- tion-it opposed the construction of the Erie canal.
 
 Tammany first introduced the doctrine "to the victor belongs the spoils," and this plan was adopted by President Jack son. Tammany assisted Jackson in his fight on the United States bank. because it desired to see State banks started. Tammany is also credited with intro- ducing the plan of importing voters. There sprang up within Tammany dur ing the bank controversy a faction which called itself the Equal Rights Party" This element opposed all banks, all paper money, and began the agitation for the use of coin, and nothing else, as the money of the country. The principle was accepted by many Democrats, and is the main reason for the tradition that the Democratic party is a hard money party.
 e