Evening star., 1928-06-21
NEW BOOKS
AT RANDOM
I. G.. NJ.

Century Co.
This book Is the fulhllment Of a
promise made by its author to himself.
when realized the constant con-
fict between the political expediency
yielded to by the Congress and the
/ fundamental principles of free gov
ernment on which rest the rights and
the liberties of the people of the United
| States, I promised myself that by way
of an apology for the compromises /
was at times compelled to accept ]
would write a book and point out how
we had drifted away from the ideals
Of the great men that founded our
Republic"
drifting Sands of Party Politics
stands, therefore, in part, as personal
apology in other part as definite ex-
plication of the measure to which the
country as a whole, and the Demo-
cratic party in particular, have aban-
doned the ideals of Thomas Jefferson.
Since the Congress is, supposedly, the
organ and instrument of the people,
the study becomes an analysis of Fed
eral enactments from the point of view
Of the party of jefferson, the Demo-
cratic party. 1t Is, in consequence, a
summary Of the changes that, within
the past quarter of century, have
under Mr.. Underwood'S own eye, come
to the basic tenets of that party, local
self-government and free trade. This
summary is reached by way of expert
analysis applied to the various tariff
acts enacted within the period-an
analysis that carefully assigns to the
writer's own party i,5 measure OF re-
sponsibility for clear political unfaith
to the fathers through the pressure of
immediate promise and urge. The end
is fully met by soeciflc tracing, also,
of the degree to which local self-gov-
ernment has given way TO Federal con-
troll and supervision. These two themes
become here the foundation upon
which Mr.. Underwood builds the his
tory of Federal legislation concerning
them. They become the standpoint, as
well. from which he estimates the
growth of monopoly In finance and
industry-fnonopoly in Federal Govern
ment. besides, with their equal prom
ise of tyranny and oppression to the
people as whole.
There can be no question about the
value of the study. gathered at first
hand from the authors long participa-
ton in Federal legislation. The book
stands as authentic history of two
specific and important classes OF law
provided by the Congress. Mr.. Under
wood Is deeply familiar with the gen.
eral outlook of the two dominant
parties of Congress. with the political
motives of each. with the modes and
manners of both. Drifting Sands OF
Party Politics" is, clearly. an important
book for general rcading as well as
for special study.
This country has changed inconceiv-
ably since the day of Thomas Jefferson.
Suppose he himself were Looking out
upon it today. out upon this giant COM
monwealth so far outreaching even the
dreams of colonial times. One wonders
Just what notifications OF his original
plans he would be inspired to make
by the amazing prospect. Certainly so
wise a man would concede more OF
latitude in construction than his fol-
lowers are willing to do. No, not any
sacrifice of principles--certainly not.
by the way. just what are political
principles and what do these mean.
sctuallv and practically. to the po!iti-
clan himself?) But would not Jefferson
see that organization. coordination.
control, are basic essentials of this stu
pendous, going concern. the United
States. and would he not relinquish
some Of the old claims for an inde-
pendent, individual program? The
common, current fear of the great or
gan!zation appears to rise from belief
in the general weakness of human
nature. Not only in both political
parties, but outside these as well, IS
trere a large acceptance OF the theory
that every mothers son of US has the
vulnerable heel. Touch this sensitive
spot with dime, more or less-and the
man Is gone. sold out. That Is utter
nonsense and as evil as 1t Is silly. The
great majority of men and women are
esty. The Congress is not purchasaole,
even though in political frenzy such
charges are made. The voter Is not pur-
chasable 10 any appreciable degree,
Corruption" ''yenality." conspiracy"
are terms that should not be allowed to
get into the open. there to breed suS-
pic.on in a world and time whose most
dangerous scourge today Is ready stis-
picion in place of independent opinions
founded upon hard and widespread
study Of our country and its political
institutions.
TAMMANY HALL NJ r. Werner:
Doubleday. Doren &; Co.
Here is a big boo'. that tells the
story Of one of MSnhattan's Oldest in
stltutions. The author declares the
narrative to be mede entirely Of evi-
dence gathered out of the documents
and records of the hall itself, giving
himself touch of praise that he has
In every instance, resisted the ,indul-
gence OF personal opinion at any point.
Much of the story is made up of bio
graphic sketches of certain leaders OF
Tammany Hall--William M Tweed,
Honest John" Kelly. Richard Croker,
Charles Murphy and others OF outstand-
ing fame The history runs from the
organization of Tammany to the close
of Murphy's reign. something ike four
years ago These were powerful men in
their days, and you will enjoy reading
this unvarniShed tale OF their suprem-
acy In the control OF New YORK CITY.
Let us, however, so back to somewhat
less personal items, back to the rise of
Tammany and its growth. The society,
as 1t was called at first, was organized
by one Thomas Mooney, a paperhanger
In the city, who, following the Revolu-
ton, became an almost frenzied advo-
cate of the rights of the common people
as against the aristocratic claims and
practices OF George Washington and
Alexander Hamilton. II these could
have their exclusive Order of the Cincin-
natl. why, the common man could have
his own also toward which no ariStocrat
need cast q friendly eye. Not only were
the original members of Tammany
drawn from the common people alone,
but they must be 100 per cent American
besides Therefore, no Irish need apply.
And right here one wonders where
Mooney cot his name, Still this is his
tory and no place for idle conjecture.
Needless to say that times have greatly
cha 1ged In respect To the blood strains
of the original Tammany. Largely Of
social cast In Its beginnings, Tammany In
no time at all began to feel the urge of
moving into the field OF politics. AT
first this field was little one and very
practical In its operations-so much for
so much seemed 10 be the order of It's