Tammany Hall Sept 2008

The Society of St Tammany originated as an anti-British society during the Revolutionary War. It was named after a greatly admired chief of the Leni-Lenape Indians, Tammany or Tammenend. Many Indian rituals were incorporated by the society, their clubhouse was called the Wigwam and the head was called the Sachem. The society was revived after the war by veteran William Mooney. The order met in a tavern owned by Brom Martling at Chatham and Spruce Streets that was dilapidated enough to be called the Pig pen by Federalists. A new Wigwam was built in 1811 at Chatham and Frankfort. Again, a new Wigwam was built on E 14 St in 1830 and the final Wigwam was built on E17 St and Union Square East in 1929. I have high regards for Tammany Hall. It is true that there was great deal of graft but the money was spread among many poor people whose support Tammany Hall sought. There is no less graft today but the proceeds stick to the hands of billionaires owning corporate grafters like Forrest City Ratner and the Yankees. I prefer the more humane Tammany Hall graft.

Tammany Hall Sept 2008