The Irish standard., 1904-12-17

With the death Of Hugh McLaugh-
lin one Of the most remarkable figures
in American politics has become a
memory. Rising from a humble posi-
.tion and wholly by his own efforts, he
became the absolute director Of the
Democratic organization in Kings
county. He held his power for years
with an iron hand against success
sion of revolutions and he did not lose
it until the absorption Of Brooklyn by
New York city placed him at the
mercy Of the dominant organization,
says the New York Herald.
He was a powerful personality,
standing more than six feet, broad
shouldered and erect, even in the later
years of Lis life. A glance from be-
meath his shaggy white eyebrows was
always sufficient to humble the most
arrogant politician. Even when he
knew his overthrow was inevitable he
would not yield nor listen to comprom-
ise. He thought he was right and
nothing could move him.
Mr.. Mclaughlin had the acquaint-
ance and respect Of all the foremost
Democratic leaders Of his time. It
was often said of him that he never
broke his word, forgot friend, for
gave an enemy, although in his later
years he admitted several reconcilia-
tions.
Mr.. McLaughlin's father died when
Hugh was thirteen years old. He left
a widow and seven children without
any support. Mr.. McLaughlin's elder
brother had found employment in
Thursby's rope-walk, and through his
influence the boy Hugh was hired as
an apprentice.
Mr.. NIcLaughlin's antagonism to
labor unions dates back from the days
of his apprenticeship in Thursby's
ropewalk. In recalling his early
struggles Mr.. Mclaughlin said that
one day committee Of the employees
of the ropewalk waited upon Mr.
Thursby and informed him that too
many apprentices were employed in
the walk. They demanded the dis
charge of at least three of the five
apprentices.
MI. Thursby sent for the boys and
acquainted them with the state of af-
fairs. He told them that he had re-
ceived large orders for rope; that they
would have to be delivered at certain
date and that the men had threatened
not to go to work unless their demand
for the discharge of three of the ap-
prentices was complied with.
Mr.. Mclaughlin was special fav-
orite Of Mr.. Thursby and he desired
to retain him in his employ, but the
boy, even at that early period endowed
with qualities of leadership, volun-
teered to sacrifice himself for his
comrades and told Mr.. Thursby to
give him his dismissal.
'The widows son." said Mr.. Nc
Laughlin sixty years afterward, "was
turned out into the world by the acts
of these labor men. They cared moth
ing about the widow left penniless by
her husband with seven children to
support"
Starting life under the most humble
circumstances, a helper on lighter
boat at ten, an apprentice in rope
walk at seventeen, then the proprietor
of fish market, for more than forty
years political boss in all the word
implies, he became a millionaire and
the intimate friend Of Henry H.
Rogers.
The first political leader to whom
the title ''boss'' was given, he ex-
ercised the prerogatives of that posi-
tion longer than has any other man
in the kaleidoscope changes in politi-
cal life.
Mr.. Mclaughlin all his life was
great stickler for party regularity.
"I voted for William J. Bryan for
president" he said, last year. when
ne had been accused of voting against
Mayor Mcclellan, whose nomination
he had bitterly opposed, "and 1 would
e