New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-11
STORIES OF MLAUGHLIN.
THE BOSS H NOVEL FIGURE
His Ways soith Reporters-Infuence
of His Wife OUer Him.

Born in humble surroundings, brought up with
scanty educational advantages, but with the idea
that he must work and fight for himself. and
raising himself through sheer force OF will the
undisputed leadership OF the Democratic or
ganization IN Kings County which he exercised
with the exception OF only brief period, for over
half century. Hugh Mclaughlin. who died on
Wednesday. was interesting personality. To
those who did not know him thoroughly the source
OF his power always a mystery. He had his
own peculiar way OF doing things. which made it
difficult for those who had not made a study OF
him TO please him. He was rugged. even rough at
times. and yet TO those in whom he had placed his
confidence he most kind hearted and con-
siderate
For some years prior to his death he had been
affectionately known as the "Od Man" His title
of boss reached away back TO his young man
hood. when he held job in the navy yard One
day a gang OF DULLES attempted humiliate him
Mclaughlin turned around and soundly thrashed
them. From that day he was known as the
boss and the title later made 10 refer to his
political leadership. He always declared he was
the first political leader to be known by that title
one Of the odd Mans chief characteristics was
that he had regular and simple habits. Every
week day morning at o'clock he went 10 the
auction room in WiIoughby-st.- which his
political headquarters seated himself beside
plain old fashioned walnut desk IN the back room.
and conferred with his friends until l o'clock.
Then he would go home dinner in Remsen-st.
returning about O'Clock, and staying in the auc-
ton for two or three hours After his sup
per he would go the rooms OF the Veteran Volun-
teer Firemens Association, in the basement Of the
Borough Hall. There he would play dominos and
tell stories with the old cronies of HIS younger days
until 10 O'clock. sometimes later. Tnen he
would return home and go to bed. Any attempt
to draw him out political topics when he was
playing dominos always fruitless Bending
over the table never once looking up he would
answer the most pertinent questions by grunting
planking down domino and announcing his
count One night In the week he always went to
a vaudeville show. In his travels the old Man"
was always accompanied by a bodyguard. either
Thomas McNaly, his nephew. or Peter Hagen,
botn In the last year William c. Courtney. his
son-In-iaw often accompanied him. Every winter
Mclaughlin went Florida regularly as the
birds fly south returning just before Easter. The
warmest part Of the summer he always spent
Long Island His favorite sport was fishing and
when away from Brooklyn he spent much of his
time with rod and line. Political cares apparently
were forgotten. and he left everything at such
times to his lieutenants
HIS DENUNCIATION OF DEVERY
When the reign of Devery as Chief of Police was
in its zenith attempted his authority
In Brooklyn by sending Inspector p. H. Mclaughlin
from that borough TO Queens The Democratic lead
er exceedingly angry. and denounced Devery
roundly. Then he forced the of the inspector
to Brooklyn Several days later he went to Florida
and Devery made several more aggressive moves in
Brooklyn. Tho leaders neutenants kept the wires
hot explaining the situation to him. and expected a
vigorous reply InstruCting them what TO do. They
We're all gathered in the auction room when teIe-
gram was received. All crowded around Jim.
shevlin ne opened the dispatch and read:
Fishing good. Send me a six-ounce rod at once"
One OF MCLaUghlns fishing metaphors caused
the defeat of of his candidates When asked
day whom he was TO nominate for a certain
office he replied:
We'll, don't know yet. When YOU go fishing for
suckers sometimes you use killies. and then again
you get clam
This remark taken up in tho campaign and
used with fatal effect against the man who was
nomina ted.
Until within the last two or three years when
advancing years seemed 10 loosen his tongue. Nc
Laughlin was known as sphinx. He was
cellent listener. but rarely had much TO say him
self. He never until about four years ago submit
ted 10 an interview on political subjects. Asked
hold my tongue" Some OF his friends declared that
MS downfall was due TO the fact that he talked
A story is told OF an aspirant for a nomination TO
the senate who was persuaded 10 accompany his
leh1s 10 the auction room WlIhout nrst consulting
the district leader Mclaughlin was cutting
Seled postage stamps from old letters.at the time
ne was gathering Il million 10 be auctiOned on at
St Marys Hospital faIr-when the delegation came
and Mclaughlin turned his ear slightly as the
orator began his speech. but continued cutting out
stamps Il was an eloquent appeal describing the
ing his claims for recognition. Once or twice the
speaker paused for some word fF9m the leader that
on McLaughlins face never changed. although he
looked at the speaker once or twice When the plea
was done the delegation realized mat the leader
was not in sympathy with them. and were painfully
embarrassed when Mclaughlin stood up brushed
'Gentlemen. as the OLD woman SAID when she
Kissed the COW. Goodby; and God bless YOU
They did not exactly understand his Language. but