Year: 1878

to the consideration of an honest, hard-work-
ing citizen.


II Is unnecessary to say that the second
calling was much worse than the first, more
immoral and more dangerous. But M0rl1ssey
appeared to think that his abandonment OF TIE
prize ring entitled him to immunity as to
other pleasant and profitable vices. Having
opened a gilded and alluring pest-house for
the corruption of good society, he asked the
applause of the virtuous on the ground that
he no longer made it a business to exchange
blows with a half naked ruffan for the
amusement of the mob. And great many
people were ready to admit this droll claim.
There seemed to be a feeling III some GUAR
ters that Mr.. Morrissey was quite Prodigal
Son, returned and repentant, and fully enti-
tied to the fattcd calf and all the other hon
ors and attentions He certainly became a
much quieter member of society. He ceased
doing things which endangered his being
locked no. Yet he made his money by a
nightly violation of the law, and he
might have been locked UP if laws
in this free country were always made to be ex-
ecuted He had the notion that he did no harm,
since men were going to gamble anyway, and
if they did not do it with him they
were likely to do il in worse places. lie
aimed to have only those whom he called
gentlemen " at his gambling houses, and
said he expected to win money only OF
those who could afford to lose 1t.
He had that kind of honor and OF
honesty of which men of his stamp are fire.
Gucntiy not devoid lie would not break his
word. He was staunch friend so long as he
continued to he friendly, and when he be-
came a foe, the object of his hostility was
left in no doubt respecting his feelings. lie
had a good deal of the prze-ighter's respect for
fair play and the bIuiser's brute courage. He
would not steal. In the midst OF rascals he
kept his hands from theft.


There was nothing in his politics except
honesty "a to money matters and Grade
idea that workingmen-with whom he
had nothing whatever in cOmmOn-Ought
somehow to get living out OF
the public treasury. As member OF
Congress-!hough he surely was not the
ONLY unlearucd man in the National Leg
isat,rc-hc was mere cypher. He exercised
no influence, joined in no debates, had no
views. and sensibly tried to present none.
In the state Senate, and especially rs a leader
in the lower kind Of politics in New
York. he counted for more. lie had
rough common sense, which was
often better than the sagacitY of
better trained men, in estimating pop
ular Tendencies aud judging how politi-
cal plans would work. He could
gauge quite accurately, too, the public
temper about public men, and the effect OF
gwen movements upon the feelings of voters.
HIS opinions as to the result of an clcc-
tion in this city. or even in the State,
were generally trustworthy, and often sin
gulaIly accurate. He was above petty grudgcs
in politics as in life. Where hls
friendship was given it could always be counted
on; and in any ordinary matter the kindli-
ness Of his disposition could bc trusted
for fair and even for generous action. lie
would always 20 n long distance out of his
way to DO a kind deed. These are qualities
which all classes appreciate, and IN spite OF
the fearful odds which his past ca
rcer laid upon him. they gave HIM
a certain popularity and very considerable
influence, even among the better classes OF
this city More than once he had the active
support Of Doctors of Divinity. Yet after all,
B''Ai''''
York. They never rose higher than the tricks
and riyalrics of the caucus, the personal ami
mositics of faction the clashing of rings and
cliques. He may have had some dim notion
that one law was better than another but
twas only as it affected the fortunes OF the
party to which he happened to be at
tachcd He knew that some party men were
greater knaves than others, and as "A
rule he respected the least rascally. HIS
natural preference was for frank bully
rather than a mean thief and we do not
know that he has any better claim to the
reputation of a refOrmer than that he followed
the bent Of his disposition. He never accom-
plished anything III politics. He was always
the tool of shrewdcr politicians, who used
him TO serve their own purposes, and who
thought it did not matter that the metropolis
of America was represented in Its Senate by
the keeper of a gambling hell, provided their
wretched little schemes were promoted by
electng him.