The “Boss” Wins Again.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 2, 11 January 1908, Page 45

The “Boss” Wins Again.

SUCCESSFUL SCIENTIFIC METHODS OF TAMMANY HALL. Tammany Hall, the piratical society of New York, which has again swept the political board, is without doubt the most remarkable political organisation in the world (says a Home paper commenting on the last elections). It is remarkable for its wonderful thoroughness, its habit of victory, and, above all, for its corruption, for Tammany may be described without fear as an organisation of brigands which has reduced brigandage to a fine art. It has no need of the crude methods of the gentlemen who levy tribute in the mountains of Greece or the deserts ot northern Africa. Instead of warring with the constituted authorities, it has captured the machinery of government and turned it to the purposes of levying illegal tribute. for private gain. Tammany began its existence as a charitable society, and it claims — not without a show of reason —that it is still the greatest charitable society in America. It dispenses charity, it is true, with a truly regal hand, but it expects something in return. The recipient of its charity is supposed to show his gratitude by placing his vote and' whatever political influence he may possess at the. disposal or Tammany. The organisation takes its name from Tammany, a famous Indian chieftain, who entered into treaties with the English and Dutch settlers, and who, unlike the society which has appropriated his name, always kept his treaties. The Tammany Society is nominally governed by a board of sachems, but the real governing force is the “boss.” or leader, who in turn reigns by the grace of the district leaders, of whom there a?e about eighty. DEMOCRATIC AUTOCRACY. Tammany is a splendid example of a democratic autocracy. Once the "boss” has secured his position, and as long as he holds it, he is an autocrat more absolute than the Czar; but he is an autocrat who must walk warily, for ho may be deposed at any time by a revolt of his subjects, by whose grace alone ho rules. The organisation of Tammany is a wonderful study in political machinery. The unit is the “election district,” this term meaning the district covered by one polling place. It may contain 300 or 400 voters, and it may contain only one or two. In every election district there is a Tammany district organisation presided over by a “captain,” who is elected by the voters of his district and confirmed in his office by the “boss.” It is the duty of the “captain” to know personally every voter in his district, to know his politics, his circumstances, and his needs. If a labourer loses his employment it is the "Captain’s” duty to find fresh work for him. If a voter’s wife or child dies the “captain” send* for

the undertaker, and, if necessary, buys the coffin. If the winter is hard ajut work is scarce the “captain” has an unlimited supply of tickets for tons of coal or a day’s work on the streets. ASSEMBLY DISTRICT. Above the “ captain ” is the district leader. The leader .presides over the “ assembly district,” which is the unit that elects an aiderman of the City Council and a member of the State Assembly. The leaders are chosen by the election district “ captains,” and they are tho deities who are called on always to provide the work, the coal, the collins, and the wedding flowers at the demand of the “ captains.” It is their duty to know the heads of the city offices who have appointments to give out, the contractors, who must stand well with the city government, and who have work to be done, and the scores of other persons who mtfy be useful in one way or another to their constituents. Above the leaders, and chosen by them, is the “ boss.” The “ boss’ ” duties are not defined, but his powers are well known. He is the real ruler of New York. He selects the men who shall be nominated by Tammany for the city and State offices, and in most years his selection is equivalent to election. He appoints the heads of the executive departments of the municipal government. These appointments are supposed to be made by the mayor, but the mayor must obey the man who made him. He makes and unmakes judges by his power of dictating nominations, and no large public contractor who fails to find favour in his eyes can continue in business. He even influences the financial markets by his control over city stock and bond issues, and his power of harassing or helping street railways, gas companies, and other public service companies. , It is only fair to Tammany and to the “ boss ” to say tha t they give New York a very fair article of government for the money, but New York in one way and another pays well for it. The city is well policed, fairly well cleaned, and the sanitation is excellent. Its credit is high and its borrowing capacity has never been questioned. THE OLD DAYS. As a matter of fact, the day of the oldfashioned and vulgar method of robbing the city treasury has long passed. Tammany abandoned that method of enriching its leaders and satellites when the Tweed ring was broken up many years ago. Mr. Croker, when “ boss ”of Tammany, was never known to have touched a penny of money which was not made in accordance with the strictest rules of legal and commercial morality. The lesser leaders enrich themselves in more devious ways. The laws of New York, and, in fact, of most American States, favour blackmail by continuing on the Statute-Books certain sumptuary regulations of which modern public opinion does not approve. All tne publie-houses in New York are supposed to be closed all day on Sunday and during certain hours every night. The public does not want them to be closed, and the police collect a regular revenue for allowing them to do business at illegal hours. The lion's share of this revenue goes to the Tammany leaders, but the higher officers of police manage to retain enough to retire as rich men. Other illegal resorts, such as gamblinghouses, are similarly licensed illegally by the police, and a vast revenue is derived from them. Much of this revenue, of course, is returned to the poor of New York in the form of charity, which in its turn influences votes, and thus the vicious circle perpetuates itself.