New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-05
T ak Of
City Hall


lure with, like Sullivan. Sullivan mas
cuphony and associations second 70
nore-the sound Of it reminds one OF
the, roll Of drums, and also Of John h.
and that other Big Fellow, and Of Latte
Tim, besides the River Shannon ana
all the glories Of Irish history.
Smith is almost as nou-committal
as a number. The host that bears the
rame belongs, apparently, to every
race and creed, to every class and oc-
cupation, and not simply, as a man
from Mars might expect, to that spien-
did calling pursued under spreading
chestnut trees. It is a reminder OF no
one and Of every one, as distinctive as
a khaki uniform and as democratic as
manhood.
All the more credit then is due those
two sterling commoners, Tom and Al,
for raising this name TO the dignity
that in the bygone days Of the Wig
wan belonged only 70 Sullivan. ne
Sullivans are q memory nOw-ln the
Hall. But the Smith boys are present
and potent factor there, and with
combined popularity which, while u
can never eclipse that OF the late Big
and Little Tim, bids fair 70 equal IT,
Just as picturesque, too, IN their way
as the Sulliyaus, the Smiths are yet
better men and better citizens, n whole
some and not sinister influence IN the
community
About Al Smith, the Sheriff Of New
York County. who lives in Oliver Street
with a fine brood of little Smiths and
who aspire5 now 10 become President
Of the Board of Aldermen, q great deal
has appeared in print Of late. But Tom
Smith. the Congressman, has been keep
inc himself in the background, as pc
fits the secretary Of Tammany Hall.
That does not mean that he is not work
ing as hard as Sheriff Al for the sue
cess of the Tigers ticket. u means
the reverse. There are some even VINO
hint at his responsibilities in the stu
alton as if they eclipsed Murphy's.
The frequent absence Of Charlie
Murphy from the city has revived the
lumor that Tom Smith is gradually
supplauting the big chief a boss OF
the Wigwam. Tom himself laughs at
the suggestion, as Alvey Adee might ct
the report that ne was soon 20 become
Secretary of State. Mr.. Adee is the
perennial Assistant Secretary, who
knows the workings of the State De-
partmcnt as if it were his own crea-
ton. lie is too indispensable 70 be
boss, and the same thing is largely
true Of Tom Smith.
7 homa5 +. Smith. 20 give him his
full name. has been secretary OF Tam
many Hall since 1895. lie came in
with Boss Sheehan, and survived him;
he has survived Croker and Carroll and
Nixon and the triumyirate. Before
that he was secretary OF the Pequod
/ Club, ShCehan's organization. and ear
! lier still he was q neWspaperman and
a telcgrarher Until this spring, when,
20 satisfy a within Of his or Murphy's,
he ran for Congress and was elected,
he had been clerk OF the city court
for almost as long.as he had been secre-
tary of Tammany.
Tom was born on Manhattan Island.
That was something like ffty-two
years ago. lie attended st. Francis
Xavier and Manhattan colleges. but
most of his wisdom comes from Rich
ard Croker Il was Croker who taught
him the game, how to hold his tongue,
keep MS head and hang on to his tenn
per He is a follower Of the Croker
school, which believes in compromises
with the obstyeperous within the
ranks rather than in direct or frontal
attacks.
Tom Smith, as the official represen-
tatiye of Tammany, attended the meet
ing Of the Democratic Fusion Commit
tee. az which County Judge Hy'an was
designated for Mayor. When he gave
his approval Of the designation il re-
ccived the formal ratification Of the
committee.