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been that of City Chamberlain； 1889…90； at a salary of 25；000。
Two years later he purchased for 250；000 an interest in a
stock…farm and paid over 100；000 for some noted race…horses。 He
spent over half a million dollars on the English racetrack in
three years and was reputed a millionaire； owning large blocks of
city real estate。 He told the committee that he virtually
determined all city nominations； and that all candidates were
assessed； even judicial candidates； from 10；000 to 25；000 for
their nominations。 〃We try to have a pretty effective
organizationthat's what we are there for；〃 he explained。 〃We
are giving the people pure organization government；〃 even though
the organizing took 〃a lot of time〃 and was 〃very hard work。〃
Tammany members stood by one another and helped each other； not
only in politics but in business。 〃We want the whole business
＇city business＇ if we can get it。〃 If 〃we win； we expect everyone
to stand by us。〃 Then he uttered what must have been to every
citizen of understanding a self…evident truth； 〃I am working for
my pockets all the time。〃
Soon afterwards Croker retired to his Irish castle； relinquishing
the leadership to Charles Murphy； the present boss。 The growing
alertness of the voters； however； makes Murphy's task a more
difficult one than that of any of his predecessors。 It is
doubtful if the nature of the machine has changed during all the
years of its history。 Tweed and Croker were only natural products
of the system。 They typify the vulgar climax of organized
looting。
In 1913 the Independent Democrats； Republicans； and Progressives
united in a fusion movement。 They nominated and； after a most
spirited campaign； elected John Purroy Mitchel as mayor。 He was a
young man； not yet forty； had held important city offices； and
President Wilson had appointed him Collector of the Port of New
York。 His experience； his vigor； ability； and straightdealing
commended him to the friends of good government； and they were
not disappointed。 The Mitchel regime set a new record for clean
and efficient municipal administration。 Men of high character and
ability were enlisted in public service； and the Police
Department； under Commissioner Woods； achieved a new usefulness。
The decent citizens； not alone in the metropolis； but throughout
the country； believed with Theodore Roosevelt that Mr。 Mitchel
was 〃the best mayor。 New York ever had。〃 But neither the
effectiveness of his administration nor the combined efforts of
the friends of good government could save him from the designs of
Tammany Hall when； in 1917； he was a candidate for reelection。
Through a tactical blunder of the Fusionists； a small Republican
group was permitted to control the party primaries and nominate a
candidate of its own； the Socialists； greatly augmented by
various pacifist groups； made heavy inroads among the
foreign…born voters。 And； while the whole power and finesse of
Tammany were assiduously undermining the mayor's strength；
ethnic； religious； partizan； and geographical prejudices combined
to elect the machine candidate； Judge Hylan； a comparatively
unknown Brooklyn magistrate。
How could Tammany regain its power； and that usually within two
years； after such disclosures as we have seen？ The main reason is
the scientific efficiency of the organization。 The victory of
Burr in New York in 1800 was the first triumph of the first ward
machine in America； and Tammany has forgotten neither this
victory nor the methods by which it was achieved。 The
organization which was then set in motion has simply been
enlarged to keep easy pace with the city's growth。 There are； in
fact； two organizations； Tammany Hall； the political machine； and
Tammany Society； the 〃Columbian Order〃 organized by Mooney； which
is ruled by sachems elected by the members。 Both organizations；
however； are one in spirit。 We need concern ourselves only with
the organization of Tammany Hall。
The framework of Tammany Hall's machinery has always been the
general committee； still known； in the phraseology of Burr's day；
as 〃the Democratic…Republican General Committee。〃 It is a very
democratic body composed of representatives from every assembly
district； apportioned according to the number of voters in the
district。 The present apportionment is one committeeman for every
fifteen votes。 This makes a committee of over 9000； an unwieldy
number。 It is justified； however； on two very practical grounds：
first； that it is large enough to keep close to the voters； and
second； that its assessment of ten dollars a member brings in
90；000 a year to the war chest。 This general committee holds
stated meetings and appoints subcommittees。 The executive
committee； composed of the leaders of the assembly districts and
the chairman and treasurer of the county committee； is the real
working body of the great committee。 It attends to all important
routine matters； selects candidates for office； and conducts
their campaigns。 It is customary for the members of the general
committee to designate the district leaders for the executive
committee； but they are elected by their own districts
respectively at the annual primary elections。 The district leader
is a very important wheel in the machine。 He not only leads his
district but represents it on the executive committee； and this
brotherhood of leaders forms the potent oligarchy of Tammany。 Its
sanction crowns the high chieftain； the boss； who； in turn； must
be constantly on the alert that his throne is not undermined；
that is to say； he and his district leaders must 〃play politics〃
within their own bailiwicks to keep their heads on their own
shoulders。 After their enfranchisement in New York （1917） women
were made eligible to the general and executive committees。
Thirty…seven were at once elected to the executive committee； and
plans were made to give them one…half of the representation on
the general committee。
Each of the twenty…three assembly districts is in turn divided
into election districts of about 400 voters； each with a
precinct captain who is acquainted with every voter in his
precinct and keeps track； as far as possible； of his affairs。 In
every assembly district there are headquarters and a club house；
where the voters can go in the evening and enjoy a smoke； a
bottle； and a more or less quiet game。
This organization is never dormant。 And this is the key to its
vitality。 There is no mystery about it。 Tammany is as vigilant
between elections as it is on election day。 It has always been
solicitous for the poor and the humble； who most need and best
appreciate help and attention。 Every poor immigrant is welcomed；
introduced to the district headquarters； given work； or food； or
shelter。 Tammany is his practical friend； and in return he is
merely to become naturalized as quickly as possible under the
wardship of a Tammany captain and by the grace of a Tammany
judge； and then to vote the Tammany ticket。 The new citizen's
lessons in political science are all flavored with highly
practical notions。
Tammany's machinery enables a house…to…house canvass to be made
in one day。 But this machinery must be oiled。 There are thr