Alfred Henry Lewis
The Boss, and How He Came to Rule New York
Published by Good Press, 2019
EAN 4064066153205
Table of Contents
CHAPTER I—HOW THE BOSS CAME TO NEW YORK
CHAPTER II—THE BOSS MEETS WITH POLITICS
CHAPTER III—THE BOSS SEES THE POWER OF TAMMANY
CHAPTER IV—THE BOSS ENTERS THE PRIMARY GRADE OF POLITICS
CHAPTER V—THE BATTLE OF THE BALLOTS
CHAPTER VI—THE RED JACKET ASSOCIATION
CHAPTER VII—HOW THE BOSS WAS NAMED FOR ALDERMAN
CHAPTER VIII—THE FATE OF SHEENY JOE
CHAPTER IX—HOW BIG KENNEDY BOLTED
CHAPTER X—HOW JIMMY THE BLACKSMITH DIED
CHAPTER XI—HOW THE BOSS STOOD AT BAY FOR HIS LIFE
CHAPTER XIII—BIG KENNEDY AND THE MUGWUMPS
CHAPTER XIV—THE MULBERRY FRANCHISE
CHAPTER XV—THAT GAS COMPANY INJUNCTION
CHAPTER XVI—THE BOSS IS DEAD; LONG LIVE THE BOSS!
CHAPTER XVII—THE REPUTABLE OLD GENTLEMAN IS MAYOR
CHAPTER XVIII—HOW THE BOSS TOOK THE TOWN
CHAPTER XIX—THE SON OF THE WIDOW VAN FLANGE
CHAPTER XX—THE MARK OF THE ROPE
CHAPTER XXI—THE REVEREND BRONSON'S REBELLION
CHAPTER XXII—THE MAN OF THE KNIFE
CHAPTER XXIII—THE WEDDING OF BLOSSOM
CHAPTER XXIV—HOW VAN FLANGE WENT INTO STOCKS
CHAPTER XXV—PROFIT AND LOSS; MAINLY THE LATTER
CHAPTER XXVI—THE VICTOR AND THE SPOILS
CHAPTER XXVII—GOLD CAME, AND DEATH STEPPED IN
CHAPTER XXVIII—BEING THE EPILOGUE
THE WORD OF PREFACE
It should be said in the beginning that these memoirs will not be written by my own hand. I have no skill of pen and ink, and any relation of length would be beyond my genius. The phrasing would fall to be disreputable, and the story itself turn involved and to step on its own toes, and mayhap with the last of it to fall flat on its face, unable to proceed at all. Wherefore, as much for folk who are to read as for my own credit, I shall have one who makes print his trade to write these pages for me.
Nor shall I advance apology in this. If I plan for the construction of a house, I call to my aid architects and artisans in wood and stone and iron. I am not disgraced for that out of my own hands and head I do not throw up the walls and lay on the roof of the edifice. Why, then, when now I am about the paper-telling of my life, should I blush because I am driven to seek the aid of him who makes an inkpot his profession? I am like a lumber-yard or a stone-quarry, and full of the raw material for this work; but I require one drilled of saw and chisel to carry off the business of my housebuilding.
It would be the thing natural, should you who open these leaves put the question of motive and ask why, when now I am retired, and should be cautious with my threescore years, I come forth with confidences which, aside from the mere sorrow of them, are like to prove less for my honor than I might wish. Why is it that I who have removed my loneliness and my millions to scenes of peace at least, may not leave well enough alone? Why should I return with disclosures touching Tammany and the inner history of that organization, when the dullest must apprehend only trouble and pain as the foolish fruits of such garrulity?
To the cheer of ones still on the firing lines of Tammany effort, let me promise to say no more of them than belongs of necessity to the story of my own career. I aim towards the painting of no man's picture save my own. Also from first to last I will hold before the face of each old friend the shield of an alias and never for a moment in name or feature uncover him to the general eye.
As to why it pleases me to give the public my Tammany evolution, and whether I hope for good or ill therefrom, I am not able to set forth. There is that within my bosom to urge me to this work, that much I know; the thing uncertain being—is it vanity, or is it remorse or a hunger for sympathy to so ride me and force my frankness to top-speed? There comes one thought: however black that robe of reputation which the truth weaves for me, it will seem milk-white when laid side by side with what Mendacity has invented and Malice sworn to as the story of my career.
Before