Alexandria Gazette

TAMMANY DOINGS.—The "scenes" about Tammany Hall during Tuesday night, while the ballotings were going on for sheriff, beggar all description. The elegant new bar room of Tammany was opened for the first time, and was well attended. Howard's brandy was said to be excellent, and no doubt it was strong. The friends of the respective candidates got to work about nine o'clock, after which "high and eloquent discourse" was held in every portion of the extensive room. As either of the gentlemen who held in their hands the undivided 85th part of the power and office of New York, came from the committee room after ballotting, a rush was made to hear the result, and the old song of "no choice," and "30, 28, and 26," so often met their ears, that they turned away, some muttering, and all looking contempt and disappointment. Finally some of "the boys" declared they would go and see what the "shysters," as they called the committee men, were about, which term they introduced with some half a dozen most complimentary oaths.

A demonstration was immediately made toward the door at the foot of the stairs, and the faithful "old sachem" who guards it, after struggling for some time to prevent an entry, had to make a retreat, and the coast was clear. Some few went up, having been attended by Mike to the foot of the stairs, with the Napoleon remark, probably, "gentlemen, that's the road to Brussels."

In a short time the thumping and breaking of doors, &c. up stairs gave note that "the battle had begun," but it was soon evident that the assailants had been worsted, and some of them retreated again to the lower hall, with the cry of "Mike, Mike." In a few moments their leader entered from the street.—"Some one said," exclaimed Mike, "that I had been up stairs—I should like to know who it was?" "However, without waiting for an answer, he headed his forces in person, and was soon at the door of the great hall of the building, where the committee sat. It was generally understood the committee had determined to show fight, and resist—and the excitement on the part of those in the lower part of the building, as the noise and tumult were heard from above, cannot be described. At this moment a very large body of watchmen, consisting probably of 160 men or more, with clubs and caps, headed by their captains and assistants, and accompanied by officer A. M. C. Smith, and other members of the police, entered the building, and proceeded immediately up stairs, taking the assailants in the rear. The noise and confusion now redoubled, and Old Tammany, (where in former times the notes of patriotism and love of country were heard,) was turned into a perfect Pandemonium. "Alas what a falling off was there, my countrymen!"

In a few minutes Mike and his companions came down stairs, and every eye was directed toward them, looking, (but they looked in vain) for the bloody noses, broken heads, and bruised limbs which they must have received. It was evident that the noise which had been heard, was from smoke more than devastation. The members of the committee were not such fools as they had been taken for. More than half of them, it was said, were young lawyers who came there to look out for their own interest and that of "their friends," and if there was any fighting to be done, it must be accomplished by the candidates themselves and other gentlemen who were assembled in the lobby. Mike seemed a little excited, but evidently shewed, (barring the high words and breaking of glass, &c.) that he had been master of the field.

The watchmen then took possession, guarding the avenues to the committee room, but it was apparent that the work was up for the night. It was now about half past 2 o'clock. Mike amused himself below, presenting, in his own peculiar manner, his views of, and to, the watchmen. There were a great many good men among them, he said, but then there were others, and here he made some highly complimentary remarks in relation to them. He spoke of persons being appointed to the watch who had been in this country but two years, who were unacquainted with our institutions, and knew not how to discriminate between the good and the bad, between those who make a little noise and excitement when they feel it is their privilege to do so, and those who make riot "for the fun of it." [The former idea, at first looked a little like applying it to himself, but it was neatly turned off.]

Mike then told of a German who had been recently appointed to the watch, but who could neither speak English nor was he acquainted with the location of the streets. He had arrested, on his beat, a drunken tailor, and was trying to make himself understood so as to inquire the way, with his prisoner, to the watch house.—

Mike declared his intention to running for Senator, in opposition to Floyd Jones—and also stated that if he was Mayor next year—which he expected to be—he would discharge every one of the present policemen.

The committee up stairs, in the meantime tried one more balloting, which resulted in a similar manner with the rest. Soon afterward they concluded to adjourn, which was the only good news for the night, and was received with three cheers. About half past 3, the company separated, to go over the same farce again, probably, on Friday.—New York Express.