The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-03
Sources of His Wealth.


 Gain the confidence of any Tammany district leader and he will tell You some of the sources that would likely be fruit ful if the big chief of the wigwam culti- vated them. He won't tell you that Murphy is cultivating them for he doesn't know positively. The Tammany leader makes a confident of no one.
 In reading what follows it should be borne in mind that the facts as given, may not apply to the situation today for Mayor Mcclellan has spoiled many plans by taking a hand in city affairs him. self. Formerly it was true that, no rail road could get a franchise oy even a permit to enter new street without seeing Murphy. If a gas or electric lighting company desired to erect a new plant it. was necessary first to fix it with Murphy. No enterprise requiring the use of the streets could prosper without his favor.
 He controls or did control the men who spend s115,O00,O GOO a year and an or ganization which it is said can raise s1 000,- GOO by personal assessment of it's mem bers. These men are the aldermen of the city.
 He controls contracting company which is in his brothers name that has a monopoly of the big contracting business in the city. In three years it has obtained CoHtIdclS diiiOuHtlllS lO SIoVOO,UW
 It is well known that many financiers eager for Murphy's favor give him valu- able tips on the stock market. He has made much money this way and his busi- ness has grown until he has opened an of- flee in Wall street.
 Wealth is changing this man who start ed life as a street cardriver and now, without salary or any apparent means of livelihood, lives in luxury. He grows more exclusive every day and spends less time in the city every year. When he is here he Is seldom seen in the places fre- quented by other Tammany leaders. He spends most of his time in Wall street and around Delmoncos with J. Sergeant Cram his millionaire social sponsor-the man who tells him what to eat and what to wear and what to say in polite society.
 Getting Close to Him.
 While he has been accommodating his wealth Murphy has kept a clean record, that is, for boss. Few charges had been brought against him prior to the recent election and none that could be proved. But there are indications that some of the foul work of election day may be traced to him. A young loafer named Grassy Halpin was arrested for vot- ing illegally and made a confession m- picating some one high up in Tammany nall. He was released on $5OO0 cash bail put up by man who posed as the owner of two saloons In the Gas House" district where Murphy was brought up and made his political and financial start Ihereupon Grassy proceeded to disap- pear. Then 1t came to light that the pondsman did not own the saloons but that they are owned by Murphy's brother, Jack The supposed owner went into bank ruptcy few months ago and in supple mentary proceedings Jack swore that he owned the two saloons. It is not thought probable that man, who few months ago was bankrupt. would have enough ready cash now to put up $5OO0 bail for an election "foater." The public natural ly asks if Tammany Leader Murphy knew anything about the bail transac- ton. The answer may be given in court if Grassy Halpin is ever found
 If the charges growing out of the elec- ton are not fastened on Murphy the public will always believe him guilty and his chances to realize his aspiration to become a power in the democratic party outside of New York city will be check ed for all time. He had set his heart on electing Mcclellan governor of the state and then making him the democratic nominee for President. Mcclellan may be governor and he may be President, but he will never do 1t with the Murphy tag on him. He seems to have realized this himself and has given every indica- ton lately that he is done with being he boss's man"