The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-18
VALUE or A MONK EASTMAN Man
lie Was Worth $500 TO Politicians for
Registration and Election Work.


1t has been noticed for years that when
ever a member OF the Monk Eastman gang
gets into trouble with the authorities, there
is always number OF Tammany politicians
willing to come forward and assist him in
his defence. A little light on the reason
for this was given in the Lamar trial in New
Jersey, the other day, when State Senator
Riordan very frankly admitted that Monk
Eastman and his young men had been OF
great service to himself, to Tom Foley and
other downtown Tammany district leaders,
around election times and also in the little
internal dissensions that sometimes occur
in districts around the primary season.
Apropos of the value of Eastman and his
men to Tammany Hall, a little experience
that Assistant District Attorney Elder Of
Brooklyn had last week is interesting and
ought to make it worth State Superintendent
of Elections Morgan's while to keep sharp
eye on these valuable allies of Tammany
Hall
Some months ago prominent member Of
the Monk Eastman gang was arrested in
Brooklyn for grand larceny. He Is now
in Raymond Street Jail, in that borough,
awaiting trial Several efforts were made
| by his friends to get him out on bail but they
failed, because the bail fixed was too high.
Just before the first day of registration last
week two prominent Tammany politicians
| from downtown Manhattan districts called
| on Mr.. Elder, and asked him If 1t couldn't
| be arranged to release the thug on bail.
I'VE need him badly, said the politicians
But he ia thug Of the worst kind; he
cannot escape conviction and long term
l in prison. said Mr.. Elder.
aWall ia thu DDlifiCiapa sUa npdar,
i, stand all that, but just the same we want
bail fixed. What bail will you consent to?"
THE man Ia entitled to freedom on bail,
! said Mr.. Elder, If he can furnish respon-
sible bondsmen. I will not consent to his
release on anything less than q, 500 bail.
TOO much" said one Of the politicians.
"He isn't worth that much to us.
See here, what do you want to get this
man out for?' asked Mr.. Elder.
! why, he is one Of the best men we have
for registration work and election day
work. We cannot afford to lose his services
this year
We'll, what difference does it mako to
you whether his bail is 81, 500 or less?'
~Why, he isn't worth q, 500 to us. It's
too much to pay for his services. We are
willing to pay 81 500 for him, but no more"
"You mean.' asked Mr.. Elder, that
whatever amount you put up in bail for
gets out on bail he will jump as soon as
you are through with him?"
"Of course, you don't suppose he Il stay
to be sent to jail do you? That's why
, we don't want to go as far as 81, 500. Won't
you let him out on 81 800 bail? That's a
fair amount"
Il wouldn't consent to his getting out
on $4,000 bail after your admission, said
Mr.. Elder. DO you expect me to defeat
the ends of justice in order to give you the
services Of this man for such a purpose?
If you do, you are very much mistaken in
your man Good day" and Mr. Elder
bowed the politicians out.
at goes to show, said the man who told
the story the other day "how useful Monk
Eastman man is TO Tammany, when for the
single services of one, in procuring regis
| tration and in assisting at the polls on cleo
! ton day leaders are willing to pay 81 500"