Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 April 1895 — Aaron Burr and Tammany [ARTICLE]

Aaron Burr and Tammany

McClure's Magazine for April. Burr, however, nearly wrecked the local organization, or, at least, put in great peril the influence of Tam- ' many. lie secured a charter from the Legislature, ostensibly for the creation of a company to supply New York City with pure water. During the excitement caused by the Parkhurst revelations in the fall of 1894, there were dug up fn the vicinity of j the Court House, where the sessions were held, pieces of the wooden water pipe which were laid by that company, cKlrfd the Manhatthn Company. One of these wooden pipes lay for some days exposed to the view of those who attended the meetings at which the monstrous revelations of the later Tammany were being made. It was the visible evidence of the first legislative trickery of Tammany Concealed in that charter was one provision which enabled Burr and his associates to organize the Manhattan Bank. Burr and his Tammany associates controlled the stock. The public indignation was intense. That anger was due in part to the belief of the community that it had been cheated by a legislative trick, and in part to a fear that the power which this bank could exercise would perhaps be dangerous, or, at least, costly, to the community. in the election of 1799, the Democratic party lost the prestige which it had gained in the election of 1797 and 1798. The Federalists hoped that by reason of this tricky charter the Democracy would lose the State in the approaching Presidential election. This fear was not justified, however, Burr managing the bank, and men as well, with exceeding tact, so that there was no opposition to the placing of his name on the National ticket with that of Jefferson, the understanding being that Jefferson would be chosen President and Burr Vice-PresieentL