Political Organizations
Political Organizations
In the 1850’s, Democratic Party organizations dominated politics in big cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco. These organizations traded services for votes. With “Honest” John Kelly, Richard Croker, and Charles F. Murphy leading the New York organization from Tammany Hall, they dominated the politics in New York City for almost a century. Other boss’s included “Hinky Dink” Kenna, James McManes, and Christopher “Blind Boss” Buckley. All of these bosses followed the precedent started by William M. Tweed. William M. Tweed fought his way through the ranks of Tammany Hall from a city alderman all the way to being a New York State assemblyman. Tweed was a man of culture which allowed him to mingle with New Yorkers in parlors and clubs of the city’s elite. He also headed rings that stole tens of millions of dollars from New York. These bosses would do just about anything to get votes for their political parties. They would have members of their organizations waiting by the shipyards and train stations for immigrants who were just arriving to the city. These members would greet them and help them find a job. They would help families who were without work by donating food and clothing so they would be able to survive. During harsh winters, they would give out coal to heat households of less fortunate families so they could survive the winter. Some bosses would organize picnics to feel the children that lived in the slums on hot summer days. They would also contribute donations to hospitals, orphanages, and dozens of admirable neighborhood causes. The bosses that did these things actually went down into the lower end parts of town and communicated with the people who lived there. They were actually for the people. George Washington Plunkitt said, “What tells in holdin’ your grip on your district is to go right down among the poor families and help them in the different ways they need help… It’s philanthropy, but its
In the 1850’s, Democratic Party organizations dominated politics in big cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco. These organizations traded services for votes. With “Honest” John Kelly, Richard Croker, and Charles F. Murphy leading the New York organization from Tammany Hall, they dominated the politics in New York City for almost a century. Other boss’s included “Hinky Dink” Kenna, James McManes, and Christopher “Blind Boss” Buckley. All of these bosses followed the precedent started by William M. Tweed. William M. Tweed fought his way through the ranks of Tammany Hall from a city alderman all the way to being a New York State assemblyman. Tweed was a man of culture which allowed him to mingle with New Yorkers in parlors and clubs of the city’s elite. He also headed rings that stole tens of millions of dollars from New York. These bosses would do just about anything to get votes for their political parties. They would have members of their organizations waiting by the shipyards and train stations for immigrants who were just arriving to the city. These members would greet them and help them find a job. They would help families who were without work by donating food and clothing so they would be able to survive. During harsh winters, they would give out coal to heat households of less fortunate families so they could survive the winter. Some bosses would organize picnics to feel the children that lived in the slums on hot summer days. They would also contribute donations to hospitals, orphanages, and dozens of admirable neighborhood causes. The bosses that did these things actually went down into the lower end parts of town and communicated with the people who lived there. They were actually for the people. George Washington Plunkitt said, “What tells in holdin’ your grip on your district is to go right down among the poor families and help them in the different ways they need help… It’s philanthropy, but its