The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-25

ttidt uSuTN VI StIut
lammAny, which for nearly half a
century has hooked down on men and
women and affairs; upon the thou
sands hurry1ng along by day, or
strolling at evening. And II his ears
have been sharp enough he has heard
many plans discussed within the build
ing near whose roof he perchcs-plans
that have nightly affected not only
the city Of New York. but the State
al we'll. and nj times the very nation
Nself
Uncounted multitude~ have passed
up the steps and into the hall over
which Tammany presides. men Of high
degree and low. men bent on every
kind and sort and condition Of busi-
ness. Regulations have been made
with the suddenness OF a heartbeat
there. and fortunes fast following.
Likewise have regulations been lost
as quickly, by some whose reckless
ambition overtopped their loyalty TO
political leaders.
The time is almost In sight, how
ever. when the titular saint Of Tam
many Hall will come down from his
high pedestal. II may be that he will
be taken with ceremony and respect
far uptown TO the new clubhouse
which is TO he built for those OF the
faithful who have just decided TO
move political headquarters from
Fourteenth street TO the vicinity OF
Central Park. II Is not impossible,
however, although to the old timer II
10 we'll nigh unbelievable. that Tam
many will never again adorn the head
quarters of the New York Democratic
organization.
This possibility is sufficient TO sur
prise those who for lifetime have
worked for and sworn by the great
chieftain. But a still greater surprise
may be in store for them. II Ia as
serted that II certain element in
Tammany has it's way. the removal
from Fourteenth street 10 Central
Park clubdom will be accompanied by
literally dropping the very name Tam
many from the organization.
Drop the name Tammany." ex-
claimed one old timer to whom the
new idea was presented. II don't he
iieve 1T don't believe anybody who
has the slightest influence with the
hail would dream OF such thing. II
would mean political suicide, nothing
less. 1t won't he done: II can't Inc
done-the town wouldn't stand for
III"
Regardless. however. Of sentiments
thus expressed the fact remains that
certain men are putting out feelers 10
see II It would he safe TO cut out en-
ilrely the name Tammany; utterly TO
abolish the great Chiefs memory: 10
expunge II from the records Of future
political campaigns. The reasons for
proposing this radical departure are
several.
One IL that II would be far better
to leave the tiger and his stripes and
the titular SAINT as Will down in Four
tenth street 10 he forgotten when the
old hall is torn down.
The decision to remove the political
headquarters from Fourteenth street.
announced NV days age. has
brought to recollection memories that
have not been SO profoundly stirred for
more than generation. The Tam
many Society, or Columbian Order
was organized on May ~, 1859, within
fortnight, of the day when Wash
ington was inaugurated first Presid nj
Of the United States The place OF or.
gsnization was the old City Hall
which stood al the foot OF Nassau
street near Wall, and the origina, con-
stitutlon of the society stated its OBJ
tect as being TO connect in indissolu'
bic bonds Of friendship American
brethren Of known attachment TO TIE
political rights OF human nature ano
the liberties of the country"
At first the members Of the society
were divided into thirteen tribes. as
the country was composed OF the same
number 81 States. New York was the
Eagle Tribe; Delaware. the Tiger
Virginia, the Deer; Georgia. the Wolf
North Carolina. the Buffalo: Pennsyl'
vania. the Bee; Connecticut. tn
Beaver; New Hampshire. the SOUR
rel; Maryland the Fox; New Jersey
the Tortoise Massachusetts. tn
Bear: Rhode Island, the Eel, anC
South Carolina, the Dog Long age
this division Of members into th'
several tribes so called fell into dis
use, but in earlier years of It's histor,
when members Joined the society. the,
either selected the particular trib
with which they wished to be idenu
Grand Sachem to one or another
The society derived its name from
the distinguished Indian chief. Tam
amend, or Tammany, head Of tn
Dclawares and of the confederaCy o
the Lenni-Lenape people. According
TO tradition he was a marvellous mar
endowed with mental strength as We
as physical. filled with wisdom, for
bearance. sympathy and patriotism
Nearly ten years elapsed after II
organization before Tammany found
home OF its own. and It's first wigwar
was a little two story dwelling hous
which stood at the norner Of Nassa
and Spruce streets. A few woode
steps led from sidewalk to doorwa'
over which was a signboard bearin
the name "Martling's."
A pleasant little place 1t was, wit
a garden at the rear, and over IN
board fence one could catch a glimps
81 green foliage. and at times breath
tho perfume OF flowers blossomin
there Previous to 1898. when thes
permanent" headquarters were estat
lIshed, the society had been meettn
at Barden's Tavern, otherwise know
as the City Tavern. IN lower Broad
way; but the time came when II mu,
needs have a homo OF its own. an
for a dozen years n met at the estat
lishment OF Decentralization Mar
ling. In the year 1903 the socier
was incorporated by an act Of II
Legislature. being described in n