The History of Tammany Hall: Second EditionMyers, Gustavus
History
The History of Tammany Hall: Second Edition
Myers, Gustavus
New York (N.Y.) -- Politics and government; Tammany Hall (Political organization)
The Tammany ward organizations, assisted by the men of the late
Workingmen’s party, appointed vigilance committees to undo any mischief
the leaders might attempt, and to electioneer for Jackson’s success.
So enthusiastic was the Jackson feeling that many politicians of note,
understanding its depth and having a care for their political futures,
made haste to change front. Almost daily the people were rallied to the
Wigwam by the beating of drums. A few years before, a hickory tree had
been planted in front of the Wigwam; now, on October 30, a second was
put there, and a barrel of beer was used to moisten its roots.
Both sides were guilty of election frauds. Votes were bought at
the rate of $5 each, most of the buying being done by the National
Republicans, who were supplied with abundant resources. The National
Republicans, moreover, had sought to bribe certain men with the promise
of offices, and on the three election days they foisted upon the voters
a Jackson electoral ticket containing forty-three names, instead of the
legal number, forty-two, thereby invalidating each of these ballots
voted. This trick, it was calculated, lost to Jackson more than a
thousand votes. Of a total of 30,474 votes, Tammany carried the city by
5,620 majority. The Wigwam for many successive nights was filled with
celebrating crowds. Jackson gave a conspicuously public display of his
recognition of Tammany’s invaluable services, when, on the evening of
June 13, 1833, he visited the society, attended by the Vice-President,
Secretary Woodbury, Gov. William L. Marcy, the Mayor, and the members
of the Common Council.
The United States Bank supporters did not surrender with Jackson’s
reelection. They exerted themselves to influence Congress by means of a
defeat for the anti-bank forces in New York City in the Fall election
of 1833. Tammany Hall during the campaign sent out runners ordering
every office-holder to his electioneering post. Vigorous meetings were
held, and all the secret influences of the general committee were
employed. On the other hand, merchants laid aside their ruffled shirts
and broadcloth coats, put on their roundabouts and worked at the polls
on the three election days for the Whig ticket. Tammany carried the
city by between 2,000 and 3,000 majority. Touching this and previous
elections a committee of Assistant Aldermen reported on February 10,
1834: “That frauds have been practised at the polls, the committee
are convinced. At any rate, a universal and deep conviction prevails
among our citizens that tricks have been resorted to for the purpose of
defeating the election of one candidate and securing that of another.”
It was further set forth that persons were brought up to vote who
were not citizens of the United States nor qualified to vote in the
State. Others voted in more than one ward. Voters also were transferred
overnight from a sure to a doubtful ward.[8] No remedy followed the
report.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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