Tam'many Society, a Democratic political organization of New York City. It derives its name from an indian chief, who is said to have signed the treaty with Penn, and round whom many fanciful legends of virtue and nobility afterward gathered. Washington's Pennsylvania troops chose him as their patron saint, in place of Saint George; and on his "day," May 12, 1789, the society--organized at first as the Columbian Order, to rival the Cincinnati--was founded. The organization soon became a party "machine," and by its aid, Aaron Burr was raised to the vice-presidency. In 1805 the Tammany Society was formally chartered, its professed objects being charity and the extension of the franchise. By 1822 the society had grown so large that the management was transferred to a general committee of three delegates from each ward. Tammany took a leading part in city politics from the first, and it flourished steadily. The number of the general committee rose to over 1400, delegates ultimately being sent from each district and precinct; finally, a central "committee-on organization" was chose, whose chairman was "boss" of the hall. The most notorious of these "bosses" was William M. Tweed, whose gigantic frauds, and those of the "ring" of which he was the chief, were finally exposed in 1871. This catastrophe sadly crippled the power of Tammany, but its influence was by no means killed, and it has since proved alternately a source of power and of insecurity to the Democratic party. Tammany controlled New York City elections against all opposing forces for many years prior to 1901, and its candidates were again victorious in 1903 and 1905.