The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-03-17

ana never was. htllN "'n'
from the purpose Of this article. Just AZ
the outset, will be useful IN se''hb
straight the popular conception Of 'n'1
far-famed organization.
The Society OF Tammany, or Colum.
bian Order, was formed In lIss' ana
was the result OF a popular movement
In New York which sought to counter
act the so-called aristocratc Society
Of the Cincinnati. II was anii-federal-
ist In It's character. It's founder was
William Mooney. an upholsterer' Of IT.
ish descent. out born In America. The
society took its name from q noted
chief OF the Delaware tribe Of Indians
who had been canonlEed by the SOL
dlers OF the revolution as the American
patron saint. The hrsi meeting OF the
society was held on May ~, 1888. and
Il was incorporated In 1905. The so
eiety Is now. ns It always has BEEN a
charitable and social organization. II
Is governed by a grand sachem, who Is
assisted by thirteen Eachems, suggest
ed by tho thirteen original states OF
the union.
The general committee, which con-
stitutes the political organization Of the
Tammany society. is permitted 10 oc-
cupy the latter's rooms IN its building
on Fourteenth street. but Is really IN no
other way associated with Il. II IL In
this general committee that all the
political evils. real and imaginary. OF
the recent past. but already historic.
have been Matched and nurtured. II
Is In this committee that the Purroy-
shechan feui has at last reached q
crisis and promises 10 wreck that once
ail-powcrful political body.
Henry D. Purroy n county clerk. lie
"a ambitious 20 reach the position In
the general committee once occupied
by the great" Croker-all powerful he
was therefor q "a only by the aid OF
the authority and influence OF such 4
| position that he can hope Tor anything
IN the future politically. John c. shec
han occupies this coveted position now
AZ the organization has not been al
al successful since sheehau was place.
az the head. Purroy has conceived %,
idea that Il would not le difficult &,
overthrow him and step into his shoes
So he has been intriguing and WORKING
Tor a long time 90 this end. Open war
fare was declared the other day whe-
Purroy and mis- followers rejected th'
plans Of the executive committee fol
the primaries In the Thirty-iourth an.
Thlriy-Giih assembly districts.
The hostility between Purroy ant
sheehnn has been growing Cor a yeai
and a half II began 10 take tangible
form soon after the Chicago conven
ton. Purroy went TO the convention
as Sound money" man. but HI
switched over TO the silver men an,
was one OF the ardent supporters o
Bryan after the convention. When h
returned from Chicago be did not wal
for Tammany 70 declare itself. but trie,
20 take the local compaign out Of M
hands Of Shcehan by organizing thi
Bryan and scwall Central association
he sent broadcast marked copies Of pa
pers containing copies Of his speeches
especially to Bryan. lie confidently ex
pecied tina, Bryan would be elected
and nc wanted TO make sure that th
control Of patronage in this vieinit!
would be placed In his hands
Failing IN this direction. Purroy an
his followers took steps which led up q
the formal withdrawal from Tammany
They claimed that shcehan invade
the Thlrty-fourth and Thlriy-hfth dis
tricts with schemes 20 destroy IN
principle OF home rule. These dis
tricts are loyal 20 Purroy and are con
trolled by him. Sheehan. Purroy ayi
caused the defeat OF the regular demo
cratic nominees Tor the assembly Il
these districts and iomented opposl