The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-08-11

IL was Sdlu ABOVE Ildt CIOhci
loved animals His delight in a horse is
without boundary. 1t
THE BULL DOG is probable, however,
is that his best affec-
HIS IDEAL tions are given to the
bulldog Croker was
in haphaZard conversation moved to an
expression of the high esteem in which
he holds that kindly, yet resolute. ami
NAL. The talk ran thus:
What do you call a great MANI ask
ed Croker of his friend
It's difficult to define a great man,
replied the other. But might give you
| an example. For instance, while I've
| no great love for him, there are those
who say Mckinley is a great man.
8 L don't think So. retorted Croker.
I'm told he'll desert his principles
and his friends
9 That's scarcely an argument against
| greatness, however, replied the other.
| An evasion of principle. and a desertion
Of friends. are frequent ear-marks Of
| greatness. There are many who must
do both to become great
1T is not my idea of greatness, said
| Croker. The man I call great is the
| man who, win or lose, fights and falls by
his standard-who never gives up his
cause nor his friend. The great man is
| he who never falters nor fiies-never let's
CO.
| by the argument you might call a
| bulldog a great man..
Let me tell you one thing retorted
| Croker with an unusual fash, if bull
dog were a man he'd be a great man.
He's kindly, loyal, brave, and when he
fights, as all on earth, man or dog, what
you will. must fight, he fights to win or
die. He will some off victorious, or he will
die, when he stands. Yes. indeed. if a
bulldog were man he'd be great man"
Tammany is the oldest and most power
full self-cOnstituted political association in
the world 1t began
ORGANIZATION with the Government
RULED ITSELF being founded
BY CROKER. within fortnight af-
ter Washington took
the oath of office as the first President
of the United States. The organization
took ppace at the old city hall in Nassau
street, near Wall, spot within sound of
Washington's voice as he spoke his first
presidential words to his countrymen.
Tammany Hail. as machine" is
perfect. With an enlistment. as stated,
of 100000, it has thirty five leaders, one
for each assembly district; these make
the great layer of power. The thirty-five
leaders select a finance committee of
five; these five name their chairman and
that chairman is the general in command
OF the organization. Richard Croker is
the present chief John Kelly was his pre-
decessor Each in his turn deserved his
elevation, for together they rescued Tam
many. after years of conflict with that
ogre of the parties, from beneath the feet
of Tweed.
Every Tammany "leader" is a sub
chief in his district. Under him he has
captain" in each election precinct of
his district and each of these cap
tains'' has a little captain under his
orders in every city block in his precinct.
Thus is the pyramid of Tammany power
put up. First base of $4,000 privates;
then a captain" for each city block;
then captain" for each voting pre-
cinct; then 'leader" for each assembly
district; then finance committee of five;
then Richard Croker. Aside from the 9O,-
coo enlisted men, who represent ''regu-
lar army in politics. there are fully 220,-
900 other voters held within the har-
zation has it's main home in Fourteenth
street; it's property there is worth cas-
lily $1,000000. Then there is in Fifth Ave-
nue. Club practically a Tammany club
with a, membership of 5000, with real es-
tate to the value of 100000, and of
money an equal amount in bank Each
leaders" has in his district a club and a
club house: the latter often of a cost to
touch 100000
To conduct a campaign Tammany Hall
expends about 100000. This money is
given out the night before an election;
each leader" having his share. The
wage and the number of election workers
are fixed. There are to be ten men in
each voting precinct to wear the badge
and get the people to the polls. These
receive IS each, or $50 to a precinct or
over $4,000 for this one item alone COW
ering the entire town. Then there are
carriages to bring the lame, the halt and
the blind. There are halls to rent, and
fireworks to purchase, and stands to put
up and trucks to hire for orators" in
the three or four weeks OF canvass. Told
and counted, the overall expense clam
bers to the 100000 This sum is not hard
to get. Contributions come from every
quarter, some OF lneH secret ana uOI
caring to be known.
GROVER CLEVELAND, Money maker
Though Richard Croker is the subject
OF the volume. the author by no means
confines himself to the career and per-
sonality of Tammany's great chieftain.
There is good story in the life of
every man., says Mr.. Lewis and boldly !
pushing down the fence of conventional
writing he roams across the fields of
public life, making daring, keen and
often merciless comments on whomsoever
he may happen to meet
Among the first he comes up in these
delightful little excursions is Grover |
Cleveland, whom he forthwith proceeds to
stick as full of Shafts &C a cushion jS |