The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-14

SEATTLE. MONDAY. AUGUST ~.


THE TAMMANY BRIGAND.
The statement attributed to John c.
Saeahan, In relation to the interest that
Richard Croker has In Tanmany. viii
do more to split up that organization
than the Mazet investigation.
Tammany is not an organization rep
resenting a political party. II Is COM
bination formed for the purpose Of max
Ing party machinery means Of sscur-
Ing office and enrichIng Its leaders. II
In notorious that what Sheehan Says
about Creker's doings is true. Croker
went to Europe in the spring of 1897.
declaring that he was out OF politics for
ever, because he believed that there was
no chance of Tammany being success
ful that year. When he saw a chance
Of Tammany again returning to power
he FASTENED back and by political
treachery succeeded In reinatating him
self where he could benefit BY the
patronage he could control.
Croker makes q business OF politics,
and the means by which the influence
Of Tammany has been utilized for bus
iness purposes has no parallel in the
history OF this country. Under Tweed.
the taxpayers were plundered and some
OF the leaders made fortunes. but the
work was so coarse that when a news
paper had the courage TO attack Tweed
and his methods. exposures were easy
and conviction followed.
Croker and his fellow conspirators are
too shrewd to place themselves in a po-
sition where the law can reich them.
They intrench themselves behind 9TH
ers, and proceed to plumber right and
left as nercileasly as byigands. They
organize bogus corporations. to which
they award contracts at enormous
prices. One of the schemes by which
they become rich almost deserves sue
cess. A few years ago the Tammany
leaders used to levy an assessment upon
every employe. First they charged him
n round sum for giving him an appoint
ment. and then they compelled him to
make contributions tn political funds
The newspapers used to get hold of
these facts at times and make IT I'M
comfortable. The scheme was devised
to compel every employee Il give n bond
for the faithful performance of his du-
ties. Nobody could receive an appoint
ment unless he made application TO the
guaranty company In which Croker and
his friends We're interested. They charg-
ed high premium. and extortionate
annual dues. They protected them
selves against any less by compelling
heads Of departments 10 give security
for the snbordinates. whom they had
no power 10 select, OF course, the whole
machinery being In the hands of Tam
many, including the detective branch OF
the police department. there was very
little risk 10 the guaranty company.
The principle iaid DOWN by the Tam
many leaders was: Thou shalt not
steal-that is our business"
Croker MRS not satisfied with the
princely revenue he thus derived from
"A company which Gid not have one dol.
lar invested Having the control he ar-
pointed the officers 81 the company. paid
them large salaries. and made them d.
vide With him. lie may well he able 20
run horses at English races
Another device ~ which Croker made
money was to earaxs corporations hav-
Ing franchises through the police d.
rartment. II a company Ggd not SEQ
that. Croker Was satisfied either by an
annual donation or by he presentation
az STOCK. & MAS art T. Unl this most
irffiug evasion Of an ordinance fellow-
Cd by the sevvrest fines 'isst a ,uagis-
'rate under Cookers centred could n
HIT. These contributions rs the, evav.
were supplemental "a tire demands ma e
apon evegy iastlsuttoa which sought -
DO business gnder = publse franchise
isy means of pub'3, MEETINGS. ard Wasp
tst newspa pers, ruth,- sentiment was
aroused against eyevv put'ir Improve
mens upsl the gas.selsy of rawuaay
leaders haa beeu satisfied Then tAy
vlrsnous pnhisc indignation suh$sied
rr~as merit was found - b. isten, IN
the project, ard the necessary permits,
sia, so operate was granted.
II ia not fair - charge a political rag
- altogether wish responsibility =,
ssrh an organization. vet 81 h only ths
party With which sach u conspiracy Il
s's~atis.S1 that 1ass crush t. The DEM