The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-14

Commander Booth-Tucker. OF the Sal
vs,ion Army. was a few days ago charged
with maintaining nuisance In New
complained thar they were disturbed by
the noise OF the singing and instruments
at his nightly meetings. He was sub
1ected to nominal punishment and eau
toned to moderate the manifestations Of
his congregation.
The most notable feature Of the case.
however. was the temperance in public
OF A Oakley Hall. once a prominent lead
er OF Tammany. and mayor Of New York
under the Tweed regime He was a man
OF brilliant parts. although OF only super
fcial attachments. He was a witty speak
CT. good after-dinner talker. polished
and urbane. He was Immensely popular
with the masses. whom he nattered and
toadied TO, and was selected by the no.
torious Boss Tweed az candidate for
mayor when Tammany was in the height
of .ts glory as . powerful and corrupt
political machine.
He was not q dishonest man, but he was
a weak and vain man. The tool OF the
most INSCRIPTIONS gang OF public robbers
that ever infested a city hall. he did as he
was bid. kept his own hands clean, but
left the rest full sway. He Is not be-
lieved to have filched dollar or to have
participated in any OF the nefarious
schemes by which New York was de-
frauded OF several million dollars, but he
signed any ordinances presented to him.
and -efrained from interference. II he
knew OF what was going on he kept his
own council, IL he did not he was less
astute than he was given credit for.
When the crash came he escaped. There
was not a little Of evidence against him.
Although several OF the gang were sent to
jail, and Tweed, after a flight to England.
died miserable death, Oakley Hall had
not lost his popularity. which was often
renewed by most reprehensihle devices.
On one notable ST. Patricks day he re-
viewed the parade from the steps of the
city hall. attired in a complete suit OF
green.
With the fall OF Tweed he passed into
a temporary oblivion. He became a
writer on the New York World, then
owned nominally by Hurlburt, whose
later career was one of shame and who
died under an assumed name In Italy.
Oakley Hall had rendered some service to
the elder Bennett, who had commended
him TO his son. James Gordon Bennett
gave him ), position In the London Office
OF the New York Herald, and he eked
articles for London newspapers. particu-
larry the cheap society" journals. He
made one ludicrous attempt as an actor
In company with a fashy actress, but
he was so numerically "guyed' that he
abandoned the stage.
Now, after nearly twenty years resi-
dence In London, he reappears as an
attorney in New York. He must be near
ly 20 years of age. During his many
years service as district attorney he made
considerable reputation as a prosecuting
officer: but his latest appearance was a
pitiful exhibition of waning powers.
Oakley Hall Is an illustration of the
many instances Of the lapse Of promising
men into obscurity. They blaze up for
short time with every Indication OF per-
manent success but fade away and are
quickly forgotten. The case OF Jones, of
Florida, will be remembered. His fine
figure and splendid voice well supple
mented q powerful II cratic intellect, but
even before the close of his term in the
senate ne had collapsed. and after few
chickering's Of publicity. due to his per-
ststent attentions to young lady, lie
disappeared from view and has never
Been heard OF since Gov. Tom Ewing.
Of Ohio, was another sad case From u
high position he dwindled down to be a
hanger or around the Washington hotels.
lie was sRatched from lower level by
old friends and recovered some respect
ability. but he had forever lost his place
I'm public life. Dorsey, ingalls,. Alonzo l..
Cornell are only suggestive features in
the fading portraits Of the past. They
/ are sad reminders Of the truth proclaimed
F.! by the deserted Cardinal Woisey In the
agony of his last hours.