by the sectarian press, which referred feelingly to the "Nast-y artist of Harper's Hell Weekly-a Journal of Devilization."

It was early in 1870 that the New York Times joined in the fight against the Ring. A Republican organ, Tammany was a natural enemy whose iniquities, as well as the personal deportment of Tweed, had received a measure of notice. The Ring proper was now marked for special attack.

The paper began by complimenting the fearless and powerful work of Nast. Referring to his "Coming Events," it said:

The sketches of New York life under Democratic rule may not be entirely welcome to Tammany chiefs, but the great body of citizens will sorrowfully admit that they are not in the least exaggerated. Mr. Nast ought to continue these satires on local and National politics.

Mr. Nast did continue as did the Times, also, and presently we find the latter boldly branding Tweed and his associates as common thieves.

Of course this stirred up a storm on Park Row. The

(Tweed triumphant is urged to reform. On the belt of the prostrate figure are the words "O'Brien

Democracy")

"controlled " press denounced the

Times and Harper's Weekly as disgruntled organs, inspired by unworthy motives, and seeking to create a sensation. Yet the Ring became a little uneasy, for it promptly offered Jones a million dollars for silence. A weekly paper, with only a picture now and then, did not, as yet, appear so dangerous; but a daily

whose editor made a point of branding them every morning

EXCELSIOR

-in capital letters, singly and collectively as thieves, seemed worth considering. Jones did not take the million, and the offer only strengthened his purpose. Editor Jennings double-leaded his leaders, and Nast increased the number and severity of his pictures. Sweeny, who had been most prominent in the earlier drawings, gradually dropped into second place as Tweed by skilful " legislation secured a new city charter which gave the Ring still more absolutely power of political life and death over almost every city official. This was a complete triumph for the Ring over an

(Nast's characterization of Tammany before the use of the Tiger symbol)

66

element calling itself the Young Democracy-an organization including James O'Brien, then sheriff; Harry Genet, John Morrissey and others, whose purpose had been to undermine the "Boss's "power. After this the name of Tweed always came foremost, while his great hulking figure dominated the pictures. In June a herald of Tammany is shown as having ascended to the peak of a high mountain, from which he waves a banner of corruption to the world. The locks of this handsome figure resemble horns. The cape on his shoulders is blown back to suggest diabolical wings. It is a striking picture.

66

Just before the fall election Nast contributed two especially strong cartoons. One of them was entitled "The Power behind the Throne "the "throne " "throne" being that of Hoffman, the power" being the sword of Tweed and the axe of headsman Sweeny. Here once more the Tiger symbol appears, rather more definitely this time-though still merely as a sign manual -while the face of Jim Fisk, an associate and co-worker, is discovered in the background. In the second cartoon, "Falstaff "Tweed is reviewing his army of "repeaters," consisting of roughs, jail-birds and tatterdemalions. Sweeny, Hall, Fisk and Gould are looking on, while Hoffman has dwindled to his great chief's sword-bearer. Above all is the sign of " Tammany Inn" with its Tiger emblem.

It was a good fight that Jennings and Nast were making for better government, but the odds were still too great. On election day many respectable but timid voters remained within doors while repeaters" were marched shamelessly from one polling place to another. Once more the Ring was triumphant, and the Tiger banner was flaunted victoriously in the breeze.

"

A word here about the Tiger emblem. Originally the symbol of the Americus or Big Six Fire Company, of which Tweed had been foreman, it had been conferred upon Tammany Hall at the time of his accession to power. Nast at first began using it sug

OUR MODERN FALSTAFF REVIEWING HIS ARMY

FALSTAFF My whole charge consists of slaves as ragged as Lazarus, and such as indeed were never soldiers, but discarded serving-men and revolted tapsters. No eye hath seen such scarecrows. Nay, and the villains march wide between the legs, as if they had fetters on; for, indeed, I had the most of them out of prison.-Shakespeare slightly varied.

gestively, in the form of a special Tweed trade-mark or coat-ofarms, identifying the Ring and Tammany with Tweed's earlier career. But there was a curious fitness in the device. Tammany leaders had shown a tendency toward greed and stripes ever since William Mooney, called "the founder of the Tammany Society," as far back as 1809, had been superintendent of an almshouse and defaulted in the sum of five thousand dollars,* down through a long line of "financiers" to Fernando Wood, who escaped justice by pleading the statute of limitation, and Isaac V. Fowler, the great Tammany leader from 1855 to 1860, who defrauded the United States Government of upwards of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.†

* Record MS. minutes of the Common Council, Vol. 20, pages 303 and 376-392. It is freely admitted, of course, that Tammany had its period of good government and courageous officials. During the corrupt period of the early fifties ('53 to '55) one Jacob A. Westervelt, Mayor, became known as "Old Veto," because of his persistent and successful opposition to aldermanic jobs and steals, and to police "graft." He was not reëlected.