The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-05

T + has often been asserted that when the average citizen takes IN active
part in politics it is with this idea tucked away in his mind: what
i is here in 1t for me-" lie would no, shout this from the housetops
nr perhaps ever tell his closest friend about It, Furthermore II is
likely that he could he pulled among those also in politics who were striv.
tcan than the Tammany Hall district I.ader-nat If the n is To stay
in the same and play it for all he Is worth lie must he rewarded. There
may he Il few exceptions. Bat lot many.
The form that the reward is to take is n matter that receives very
sertou> attention ron the district leader He knows that Il grat meas
II his strength depends IN the ientenaniS he gathers around him. The
Tammany district leader does not play II mt hand. lie may consider him
his influence in the councils of the organization is based in no small part
on how powerful he is in his " district. And his power must be main
When these men, fail him te vote falls of IN election day.
How these workers are 10 he rewarded is II daily problem Of the dis
don't satisfy very long. They won't satisfy ever III" man who only husths
before election a a cart tai! "ral"r or a lartiilan, in Iarade,: We must
unswerring. industrious. persistent and p"r>everng hnntero al jobs big and
little. and the little jobs are as important IS the bigger game: All the
The jobs are distributed usually among the ac,k" workers. the district
captains. They consist Of lerth> in city departments, ,lcrk>hhs in the
courts. anything available which is nt covered 10y the civil service law.
There are other jobs, and very important ones from the leaders standpoint
public or private work. There arr leaders. too, Ii" hay" cultivated the
practice Of helping young men to get int" large mercantile establishments
trct leader should prefer TO have At his disposal five small jobs equal in
financial return ITO on big job. IS it would mean five votes. and the leaders
success primarily is counted in totes.
While the leader is looking ont for his active workers he must not
neglect the politically ambitious and powerful II his district. There are
who want to he Judges. There is the budding statesman who hopes to shine
as a legislator. There is the mn who desires to show his interest In edu-
cation by being a school trustee.
turn. Some Of them are purely honorary and entail considerable expense.
hut they are sought as eagerly a the others. IL In II mored ignihed manner.
Each candidate has taken his due part n and contributed lis important
share. as he believes, to the political activities Of the district. lie must
Law" recognition. OF ,onr,e it II all done in II spirit Of public duty and
ci" responsibility. But In II" uncertain tones, If in more polished and
diplomatic words, the leader is reminded: What is there II for me-
Great skill and knowled" IF the game are often required Of The leader
In rider that he may mannuvr" md plan scheme. with success Certain
nominations and jobs are allotted rs II matter Of right or understanding to
certain districts. These places the leader cMngs to tenaciouly and he will
fght for them. To let = Of II job is to lose part of the pap Of a district. His
workers must be- rewarded.