Plunkitt Of Tammany Hall Chapter 6 Analysis

Plunkitt of Tammany Hall
APUSH
Emily Cassata
2/26/13

Chapter 5:

1. What was the chapter about?
Chapter five was essentially about the lack of freedom that the government gives the citizens of New York City. Author William Riordon describes the fact that the people of Ireland and the Russian peasants have more freedom than the people of New York City because they are allowed some self-government in England. However, in New York City the Republicans run the whole show. Riordan proceeds to talk about the strict life they must live under the government by stating that you have to eat and drink on their time because you essentially regulate your lives to suit them. In addition to the government controlling your life, Riordan notes that
Come along with your carvin’ knives and have a slice”. I found this quote to be interesting because it basically said that the city’s Republican government sacrifices parts of the city, but they do not really ask the people for consent. This caught my eye because normally when we think of the government today, we think of democracy, people that are supposed to help us out, and protection of our rights. However, this quote makes it seem as if the government owns every aspect of its citizen’s lives. Especially when Riordon notes that they basically built their eating and drinking times around the convenience of the government. This is the farthest thing from democratic, and ultimately does not describe the way we view New York City today. In history, New York City has always been a place of promise, and a fresh start, so the fact that a greedy government tarnishes this image really surprises me. Author William Riordon really frowned upon the government’s treatment of its citizens; therefore I have concluded that politics in the early 19th Century were nothing like today. This quote really depicted the contrast between politics then and now, hence why I found it to be the most interesting in the
At 6 AM he will be awakened by fire engines and rush to the scene in order to fulfill the duty of Tammany district leaders, which is to help the victims of the fire if needed. These horrific events are considered great vote getters because it looks good for a politician to help a person in need. Next, at 8:30 AM he goes to the police station to look after his voters. At this point he will attempt to free them or at least secure their release by the judge. This again is another political move to secure votes for his self. Around 9 AM he will make an appearance at the District Court and essentially do more nice deeds such as pay the rent of a poor family. When 11 AM comes around Plunkitt will be at home once again, and will find men waiting for him with complaints and concerns that he will need to listen to. At 3 PM he will attend funerals for the different ethnic groups in town in order to make sure he recognizes the needs of all his people. Between the hours of 7 and 8 PM Plunkitt will presided over a meeting of election of district captains and will attend a church fair in which he will do kind deeds for the people there, such as purchase ice cream for children. When 9 PM rolls around he will be at the clubhouse and will pay money for church excursions, make promises for church reparations, buy tickets for a sporting event, and listen to complaints of local peddlers and promise to help them in