468 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



fluctuated, capriciously, at the behest or caprice of some " boss/' or — 

 what is ahnost equally deplorable — the urgency of sentimental opinion. 

 It is all iniquitous, or worse, it is ridiculous. Whatever we may think 

 of the " effete civilizations " of continental Europe, these matters have 

 been settled there, not well, that may be admitted, but wisely and pru- 

 dently, in accordance with human reason recognizing its inability to 

 cope with human instinct. 



Although Tammany Hall is readily recognized as " notorious," and 

 has certainly the reputation of having been grossly corrupt, few, it may 

 be said, are aware of the extraordinary strength of that organization or 

 its mastery of the problems of civic science. That it has been almost 

 exclusively a " one-man power " accounts for much of its ascendancy 

 and effectiveness. Left alone, untrammeled by interference from with- 

 out, it could be counted upon to give to New York city a truly efficient 

 and metropolitan government. For its analogy we may look to the old 

 Mormon hierarchy of Utah. There were found — previous to " gentile " 

 interference — side by side with a custom revolting to humanity's purest 

 sentiment and degrading to civilization, a condition of peace, prosperity 

 and outward decorum almost idyllic. So long as the " latter-day-saint " 

 had his way, he saw to it that the way was made pleasant for everybody. 

 It has been much the same with Tammany during its periods of power ; 

 the arts of municipal dominion and those of loot and spoliation have 

 gone hand in hand, and both have been reduced to scientific principles. 

 During every so-called " reform administration " numerous hold-overs 

 from a previous Tammany regime have been retained in office ; and it is 

 safe to say that a large percentage of efficiency of both the Strong and 

 Low mayoralties was due to the experience of these men. In fact, if 

 any especially difficult or delicate piece of work was required, it was 

 almost invariably a Tammany " heeler " who was called upon to do it. 

 It was not the high-toned moralist or well-meaning theorist in civics, 

 but the man of practical knowledge. The Tammany man — whatever his 

 faults — was always " on to his job." 



This subject — the science and art of municipal government — will 

 be, if not the first, not the least important that the commission will have 

 to investigate. It can find no object-lesson more worthy of attentive 

 study than that furnished by the despised and rejected Tammany. 

 With far-seeing sagacity that institution seeks out and attaches to its 

 service young men who give evidence of abilities — either brilliant or 

 solid. Through the district leaders youths are constantly being taken 

 up, sedulously trained, and given opportunities — some for hard work, 

 and some — the exceptional ones — for real distinction. It is thus that 

 the organization is in great measure recruited and the system perpetu- 

 ated. Could anything be more masterly ? Then do not let us smile at 

 or ignore it; still less revile it; but rather emulate it as to method in 



