“ He began work in 1876 as a street-car driver. Later with his small savings he opened a saloon, and as his business prospered became proprietor of several such establishments, in which he maintained good order. These, he declared, served as poor men’s clubs. In 1892 he succeeded Edward Hagan as Tammany leader of the 18th assembly district, and from that time his political power grew rapidly. In 1897 he was appointed a member of the board of commissioners of docks and ferries in New York City, serving five years, the last as treasurer. ”