New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-09
CONFESSIONS OF A BOSS.
STRIKING EPISODES FROM THE CAREER


article which is without the name of the author by
in which he says the career of the writer
passed in the boss ridden city of the
most boss ridden State in the Union
asked write The Confessions of a Boss
myself such invitation would be resentfulIy de-
GIined The wording Of the subject is Gnf9rtunate
II assumes. without scntilla Of proof. that am
to make admissions of guilt and that in my sphere
pardoned: the last is ridiculous The word boss
is used term of reprOach only when applied to
language in this connection that is more misused
born free and equal; but they do not remain equal
very long.
Each one; in the very nature of things, seeks
his level. Some born with the power OF
leadership and this power is bound to assert it
business or in polit:cs. There will always be
Greatest force Of character and the largest amount
OF gray matter in his brain cells is bound to ,b be
point. | want to emphasize is that. COMPARED with
boss the political boss is the meekest and most
considerate Of men. Consider the conditions that
confident You viii agree. with me,
satisfied that the editor. who is so often
theoretical and seldom practical had. in select.
scnrn and rfdjcuIe of his pu5ic So I accept the
dp in tb snrit in Which conceive it 10
have been rendered, and partially lift the veil that
were disposed TO do so. it would be manifestIy
mposs5le to tell the 1 whole story of my p9fal
striking episodes. Of my, life From them the re-
| want to say, in, general way. that the fair
torted and exaggerated stories of politics he may
Tbey are ~ misleading Intended to be so The
man and the paper in power speak respectfully OF
the outside becomes blue in the face in denouncing
what ne calls the machine ne; the VICTORIOUS poi,
Of the defeated join in one mighty howl against the
1 made my entrance into politics a reformer-
! attended the common schools of my native city
1-bi tyIo in holm he mos Amer of
central High schooi-the Peoples College My
father destined me commercial life: but my in
clinations were in another direction strong de-
sire TO enter the Legislature took possession OF
me went to the political leaders who controI,ed
ton. They treated me In a patronizng way. and
advised NE TO wait called again and too
wait and I was laughed for my pains. It was
here thai my predominant fraIts-c6ETage and per
in saying this l am trying TO let you see me as
I had $500. I used every penny of It in paving
the legitimate expenses of my canvass; There Were
thirty delegates in the district and IT required, a
majority to nominate The nomination was e s w
on the night OF the primary. it found that my
opponentSthe slated candidate-had fifteen dele
Both sides We're surprised In the confidence Of
erans on the other side were amazed that
beardless boy should come out of the contest with
was midnight The nominating convention to
meet at 10 o'clock in the morning Ten hours IN
my champions was hastily called Lo and behold;
hour one OF my delegates had been stolen But
this time for crying over split milk Th ne
into the ranks Of the enemy The whole strength OF
the opposition was concentrated the one weak
kneed delegate who had sold me out Ihey KEPT
ysntoH hail e 5 tn in aRd dher fifteen des
The possibilities of the situation went through
my brain like a fash of lightning. ! must tight
gates closeted with me in my room. They
sad they ad f6at iEeI Would mi ike to vote for
m in the convention but if they did so they would
But" pleaded /. the accusation would be
YES responded one speaking for both Of them.
that would be the worst of ito get the name
What I said speaking slowly. would your
friends believe you had received money FOR voting
Not less than $3.50 apiece was the quick reply,
Meet me one hour before the convention IS
ran around town like mad. succeeded in
ReTrSGns nd When the ro p was c9ed was
clared the nominee OF the convention 10y d vote Oh
10 Did i'd do right
l did about what the averase man would have
done under similar circumstances | wonder wdar
the average business man would nave done under
the same conditions?
The episode however. made me. so far as po-
liticaI leadership was concerned The head men
in the party took me 10 their arms was tod thtt
the who could make a majority out or a mi
n9rtty over niEht must be man man Tltn future
became natural leader IT the leSlsiatGqIIe am
this brings to another sisnthcant lncI1enI in
tlg nous ~l r.L,i,SCIrSn This was DartIv from
m%rfs in in P my carly y e and hd-and havea
f FS Rensst 80 the Who
works physca,iIymis ha4dGa5ped HIS iss oTn aag
ers and walking delegates occasionally, the fndif-
ansntiy and alas! now and then the prejudice and
lack of integrity of the courts themselves l hr
their right to belong TO labor Organizations II
Was bitterly fought by railroad corporation which
had blacklisted an of its employes known 10 De
connected in any way with organized labor -,
The lobbyist of this road approached me on the
and said that all of his efforts AGAINST the measure
would be frutless unless he could set two more
with the ] 70 Control sbs"lIteIv would turn
spot cash to do this. Did affect virtuous inds-
/ helped to pass the bill. Moreover. did not rest
until had induced the Governor to sign the meas
purely and entirely from conscientious motives.
myself H The officers directors and stockholders
Of the corporation that employs the ioooylst Wno
and have known one of them TO deliver pubs oIi
ticians and the prevailing corruption in our puohc
During all of this time I prospecting in a
worldly served my party and d, my my party r9
ground floor on many. good things Looking back
wealth was acquired in legttmate manner n ny
of friendly tips bought stocks n,s low b aYa
had twice much as have. but ] was always
liberal with those around me. and scattered my
money with a lavish hand | saved enough to keep
me comfortably in my old days. and don regret
the rest During these years was conspicuous IN
the councils of the party. helped 70 select Sandl-
dates assisted i'm drafting the platforms ana was
never in the background when il came to electlng
inc nominees But outside of my legislative posi-
lions | never held office. .
When | in my prime there occurred great
contest affecting the franchise for one or the
wa terJyavs OF the State Two railroad companies
were after certain Bit of territory which was i'm
rortant TO their development. 1t was a struggle
between corporations. / never could see tnSt the
public had much in 1t. Anyhow, | TOOK sideS-
usefulness in getting votes. Being an ex-neInber