Year: 1873

William NJ. Tweed was born in the city of
New \ York fifty years ago last April. His pa
rents we're poor people, and the boy was early
thrown upon his own resources. tie learned
the trade of a chairmaker and worked at it for
few years. He soon became ambitious of
political distinction, aud to increase his quail,
6catiOns and improve his chances he entered
the University Law School, from which he
graduated as a member of the bar His power
hegan in the old volunteer fire del artment of
the metropolis. He became foreman of d" Big
Six''-an engine company famous in the lower
part of the city. His immense vital energy
and his organizing ability were here developed
and exhibited. In that day popular fireman
was a positive power in local politics, and
Tweed began to make himself felt.


In 1851 he was elected alderman from the
seventh ward, serving in the common council
through the years 1923. In the fall of 1852
he was elected TO Congress from the fifth dis
trict, which then embraced the seventh and
thirteenth wards OF New York and the village
of Williamsburg, Long Island. He took his
seat 10 the House in December, 1853, while
his term as alderman was about expiring. Ii,
was thirty years old at that time, with the
promise OF a fair future before him. While
IN Congress he was elected school commissioner
If the seventh ward. The year after his term
as Representative expired he was chosen to
the board of supervisors, and continued to hold
place there until the day of his overthrow.


In 1861 he was candidate for sheriff on the
Tammany ticket The office is one of enOr
nous emOlument, and Tweed struck for it with
his usual energy. tie reckOned himseli worth
$50, 900 at that time, and he had made the
money honestly. He expended every dollar OF
| it in the canvass, led on by the hope aud be-
lieve that he would triumph. He was beaten,
and during the winter which followed he found
great difficulty in meeting the house rent and
paying his butchers aud grocer's bills. 1t is
probable that his career as public punderer
dates from the day of his defeat as sheriff.


He was not fne-graned man nor troubled
with many conscientious scruples. lie saw
| himself as the victim OF what he looked upon
as a conspiracy. He had distributed his money
among various ward organizations in return
for their promised assistance. They divided
| his fortune and withheld their support. He


resolved to "get even" with the public, who


had preferred another to him, and he set abou


the lob with the coolness of great general anC


the wickedness of great robber In 1862 ht
became deputy street commissioner, and while
holding that Office he got his hand freely int
the public purse for the first time. At abou
the same period he made himself the leading


spirit in the Tammany organization.


He showed soon that his power as an organ


izer was very great. lie drew men around hlu


usually by appeals to their selfish natures. Il


one he gave money, to another some place I


that eyery man had his price. If rival aros
to dispute his authority he crushed that riva
+ If he could, and if he couldn't he crushed tn


rivalry by supporting the man for some office
and thus making him his ally. In this way h
spiked the guns of Fernando Wood and callet
truce with his most popular enemy, tn
"Big Judge" Michael Connolly.


, In 1867 Richard B. Connolly, timid mar
f plausible in manners, but exceedingly corrup


at heart, became comptroller Of New York
r With him Tweed formed an alliance. Cor
T molly was greedy and close listed. He nevee


could secure a popular following. He hel
| Office at the pleasure of Tweed, who was, how
ever, compelled to share equally with him j
5 the division of the money plundered from tn
9 city. That same year, 1867, Tweed was ele'