New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-14
SULLIVAN A RECRUIT
FROM NEWSBOY RANKS
His First Step to Po|itiCa!
Fame Won by Victory
in Street Fight.
THREE TIMES IN CONGRESS
Tammany Leader at Height Of
His Power Was Head of
Clan Which Controlled
the Organization.

Timothy d. Sullivan was born in a
Leonard street tenement In 1863 and lost
his father when he was boy. OF school
ing he had little. outside OF his training
in old-fasnioned ward politics. When he
was eight years old he was out in the
streets selling newspapers From news
boy to a leading place in the councils OF
Tammany Hall was a big leap. but "Big
Tim" head Of the Sullivan clan. with It's
army Of dependents. accomplished Il with
bewildoring ease.
His entrance into politics was the out
growth Of a fight with pugilist IN the
shadow Of the Tombs in old Centre street.
The rough was beating woman and
young Sullivan conquered him in fair
fight. From that day the young element
In the district hailed big Tim" as their
chief"
In 1856 Thomas p. Walsh was forced 20
nominate Sullivan for the Assembly.
Gangs nourished in those days. The
"Whyo" gang, one OF the worst, had its
home in sullivan's district and its mem
bers were loyal to big Tim
Sullivan always reciprocated by using
all the influence he could command when
they ran foul of the law. AS the result OF
his Interference in certain case Thomas
Byrnes, then chief OF detectives, de-
nounced him as ian associate OF criminals
and thieves
A little later Sullivan arose IN the AS
sembly and said:
IT am not looking for sympathy, but
oh.
that you have not been sitting with
man who has been a chum OF thieves
NY father died when 7 was four years Old
leaving me the second youngest of four
children. My mother struggled along az
best she could, but when ! was seven
years old had 70 90 downtown and sen
papers to keep the family together. y
year later | began as a fyboy In press
room. and worked there until the morn
ing Of my election, so ] think you VIII
agree that had no time U associate
with thieves"
Elected to State Senate.
BY 1s9. Sullivan had become power
In Tammany councils and In that year he
was elected TO the state Senate.
After Sullivan had represented his dis
trict in the state Senate several Years
his constituents decided 10 send him to
Washington. and in 1902 ne Was elected
as Representative from the Sth District.
He went 10 Congress. but vas not greatly
pleased. although he consented 10 run
again in 1905. lie was out Of place I'm
Washington. Before he went there he
said: Maybe | viii sit IN "A while. II
amt a pikers game and I may take
stack. II would he grand game n there
was no limit"
After he inlshed his second term "a
Congress big Tim" went out OF public
life for several years, but In 1903 he reap
peared and was again sent to the state
Senate lie served there until his illness
kept him away from Albany. He was IN
no physical condition 10 go 10 Congress
again. but at the last election his old dts
trict elected him 10 tho SD Congress.
Sullivan never went to Washington 10 be
sworn in.
big Tim" vas known 20 almost every
man, woman and child not only through
out his district. but practically the entire
East Sluc. ilS ptHcld''l'i'' Hld's w
which were unknown, included feeding
and clothing the needy OF that great sec
ton. For years he shod thousands Of
men after he had given them good
Christmas dinner on the Bowery
Not long ago he summed UP his croed
as follows:
% believe IN liberality. ! am thor
ough New Yorker and have no narrow
preiudices never ask a hungry man
about his past. ! feed him, not be
cause nc is good. but because he needs
food Help your neighbor. but keep your
nose out OF his affairs. 7 never sued u
man I'm my life. am square with my
friends, and all | ask IS square deal IN
return. II don't get H. / am stu with
my friends"