New-York tribune., 1901-07-07
A TYPICAL TAMMANYITE.
THE CAREER OF FIRE COMMISSIONER
JOHN ]. SCANNELIA


The grand juries of Manhattan and Queens
have had the official actions of some of the
Tammany commissioners under consideration.
and have earned the thanks of the respectable
part of the community by showing these men in
their proper light. A strong presentment was
returned by one grand jury against the Depart
ment of Charities which Commissioner
John w. Keller presides: James P. Keating
Commissioner of Highways. was indicted for
neglect of duty, and John ], Scanneu Croker's
pet and often spoken of as the man who will
succeed Croker ruler of New York, was in
dIcted, together with another man. for con-
spiracy 70 defraud the city of NeNv-York
The thought that the action of the grand
jUries may bring about change in the depart
ments, which 81 Tammany tainted, gives
pleasure to all good citizens while the Tammany
| leaders lock upon the movement with fear and
trembling
John w Keller whom Croker made president
of the Democratic Club. thus branding him all
right" has often been mentioned by the Croker
party as good man for Mayor. He is undoubt-
edly faithful follower and obedient servant Of
the Boss of Vantage, out the Charities Depart
ment under his management has been a good
deal under fire. and his record there has not
advanced his interests Keatng is another of
the faithful who never would be missed by
the taxpaying, law abiding community; but
there would be positive rejoicing among self
respecting citizens if the indictment of Scan
nell the head of the Fire Department would
result in his dismissal from office and in further
punishment He is a most fagrant example
of the "What-are-you- going to-do- about-it?"
Tammany politician and possesses all the quail
ties necessary for preferment in that unique
institution In his early days a professional
gambler, keeper of disreputable resorts asso-
r te Of he Crip
added man killing to his list of qualifications
for leadership in Tammany circles.
THE KILLING OF DoNoHUE
A generation has grown up since Scannen
made his spectacular entrance into public notice
This was in a basement saloon on the northwest
corner of Broadway and Twenty-eighth-st. on
the evening of November ., 1872 Gamblers and
politicians crowded the place, the attraction be-
ing the poolseIling on the election which was TO
take place in three days. Scannen went there
and looked about the place. 1t was supected
that he was ir search Of Tom Donohue, in
whose saloon, in Second-ave-. ScannelTs half
brother Florence Sullivan had been shot on
December % 1870. Florence fingered many
months, and when he died Jack ScanneH con-
tinued to accuse Donohue of the murder al
though he had been discharged after an investi-
CATION 1t believed by many that Jack
HiLHSSIL udu SilOt MS pIOlLeI pN dCclQenJ IN the
course of the fight. Nearly a year after the
affair in Donohue's saloon, DOnohue was mur-
derously attacked on his way home and two Wit
nesses swore that they recognized Jack" Scan
nell the assailant- ScanneH fled from New
York and remained away nine months. When
he returned he put under bond 10 keep the
peace with Donohue. Donohue. however. had
faith in Scannelrs promise, and lived in daily
fear of his life. His friends at last persuaded
him to promise to leave the country, and he had
intended 10 do Immediately after election. and
had already engaged passage for himself and
family on a vessel bound for Cuba. when he went
10 the poolroom on the evening of November p
Scannell saw Donohue start 10 descend the
steps, rushed past his friends who feared that
he might attack the man. reached Donohue
drew a pistol and shot him down. Donohue
fell his face. dead, and then Scannen fired
four additional shots into the body changing
his position deliberately. so that the shots
should be distributed and not all in one part OF
the body
SUCCESSFUL PLEA OF INSANITY.
He tried the following January. his lawyer
putting in plea Of insanity The jury disagreed
and then his senior counsel. William A Beach
worked 10 defer retrial He succeeded so we'll
that when the trial took place in November
1875. Jack" Scanneu had become the oldest
prisoner in the Tombs. The jury found him not