Year: 1874




LONG BRANCH, August 13, 1874


TO any one who mas been familiar with Long
Branch in tts political aspect Tor the past fifteen
years, 1t Is amusing and suggestive to note the
changes that have taken place during that period
in the character Of the people who have from time
to time studied the political horoscope and cast
the fortune OF some new born scheme within the
sound Of the waves that wash this part Of the Jer
sey coast. Looking back about that number Of
years we recall the days when the tall figure OF
Fernando Wood Was to be seen lettering on the
sands or stroling leisurey along the cliff prone
made, his famous musrache curing over his lip
like the white cap of distant wave. Be sure the
person who walked &C his side was either receiv-
ing Instructions as to the details OF some pre-
arranged wire-working IN his ward or drinking IN
political wisdom from Fernando's point OF view.
Names prominent in democratic national politics
were occasionally to be seen on the registers Of
hotels that nour1shed at the Branch in those
days. but are known here no longer,
and not unfrequently Je1. Davis, Brecken-
ridge, Mason. Shdell and others whose records
have been marred by subsequent events, made
pilgrimages to the then quiet watering place for
purpose Of consultation with the leaders OF the
the New York democracy. Who does not remem-
Der the time when John Clancy was shining light
in the Branch ball rooms and the political re-
unions. and when his army OF roisterers was ac-
customed, season after season, to pitch its tents
nguratlvely in the long building in the rear OF the
Mansion House, where the orgies OF the troops
could disturb only their own heads and stomachs,
ana where poker and punch might be enjoyed
without limit or scandals Later on when
Sweeny planted, all the smaller Tammany p0iti-
clans watered and the "Bossn and his associates
gathered the harvest there was change in the
personnel at the Branch. Those were the money
making days Of the old Mansion the headquarters
Of the wire-workers and the lodge OF the LAZY
Club" The ''ring" and its satellites were good
customers for money was easy and politics pay.
ing business. From HOFFMAN down to the ''btg
Judge" Connolly nearly all the little great men
who hourished under the last democratic regime
were made at Long Branch. Many Will remember
the season when mike" having shown much out
side strength, was seduced down to the Branch to
bargain for his plum, and when his earnest desire
to secure 'local habitat0n and bed" at :he
orthodox Hotel induced him to accept the only &C.
commodation at the landlords disposal-a cot. In
the morning the big Judge was discovered by his
friends or the chambermaid in a letharglc state
bordering apoplexy, lying on hts back the
middle OF his body supported by the cot while his
head hung to the ground at one end and his heels
at the other, forming mountainous bridge Of hu-
man nesh.


THE OLD SCHOOL OF BRANCH POLITICIANS.


The general run oil politicians who frequented
the Branch In the old days were not Of the most
refined or respectable stamp-not exactly the sort
OF persons would desire 70 mingle with outside
sPewter Mugs" and ward caucuses. Short hair,
broxen noses, very black mustaches, heavy watch
chains and diamond cartwhees nourshed in those
days But their owners spent their money like
princes, or rather like most princes they spent
other peoples with great freedom. Barroom keep
ers. mack drivers ana the whole school OF water.
ing place sharks will tell you that they made dol
lars then where they make cents now, and will
express the wish that Sweeny was back from his
travels and Tweed unembarrassed BY the re-
straints Of the law, and the old order Of
things in New York restored; for, of course,
Long Branch depends upon New York for
iu existence. The men who were to be
met along the shore then were decidedly
Of q vulgar type-coarse unposhed and, in the
main, iliiterate They did not assume any airs
however but acknowledged themselves for what
they were and relied upon their money for their
position. Catch them wearing cOlored kids ! The
only gloves they cared about were boxing gloves
Imagine them putting on the airs of a Goldfish
artstocracy, dressing up servants in gaudy lveres
and cockades, assuming drawl TO hide br0gue
and turning their backs upon brothers and
cousins who unfortunately might be still COM
PEELED to carry the h0d. "Nothing OF the sortn as
the OLD lady says In "Our American Cous1n.n They
we're too manly for that, any way, and did not
assume to pass themselves of for what they were
not ana could never be. In that they were alto
gether different to the Long Branch politicians Of
the present day, and in the difference many peo-
pie VIII believe that the Old set nave the ad-
vantage.


The politicians we meet at the Branch to-
day are not dssimilar to the politicians we met
here ten years ago, except as to the airs they
sumo and the life they lead. Democratic and repubi
can politicians always have differed in appearance
and probably always will. Democracy brings into


s ranks the na1S M ser an1 AVA hepn1 h
Aminidab Sleeks OF politics to tts side: Short hair
u symbol Of democracy, long hair OF republican
nose and probably white hat, with o black hat
bond, generally betoken democrat, while light
os n sgs sS
. soft. felt or straw hat almost Invariably point
out republican. Without attempting TO account
for these distinctive traits, 1t may be said that they
are undeniabe. But the politicians who have
risen to the surface on the present republican tide
are not any more desirable than the New York
corner grocery represen tatives who held so I'M
pOrtant standing In the days OF the old TamInany
king. They have established an arstocracy at the
Branch It Is true; u sort OF cottage snobbery
which IS far more offensive than the pronigate
roughness Of the last decade Men ride about in





lew years ago never thought to rise higher
IN the world than they could reach by
the rungs OF q ladder. 6ucccssfm as p0litl-
clans only through having been successful ID rob
btng the government through shoddy contracts,
revenue frauds and special fnancia al iav0rs, they
now pretend to carry the weight OF the whole
government on shoulders that few years ago
never dreamed OF bearing heavier weight than
q loaded hod. Here is our friend Tom IaGere, for
Instance, In his palace Oy the sea. What swell
he cuts, and what mansion he enjoys How he
loves TO throw out mysterious hints concerning
hts private chats with his friend tne President,
and now mapincentiy he enterta his fellow
shoddyites, telling them the price OF his best
prandy and cigars, and informing them Just how
much that Burgundy cost him in dock With
what exquisite taste he discourses OF art as rep
resented by famous picture he owns which he
purchased for so many thousand dollars and
piece OF sculpture valued at so many thousand
more But what horror would be expressed on
MS counrenance II he should see Patrick or Dennis.
,n oro.her OF cousin, come pounding across the
lawn IN the respectable garb OF Q brjcklayeri
how ne would shrink and shiyer II any
oLd acquaintance should evince dtsposi-
Annn