Book Review
Plunkitt of Tammany Hall: A Series of Very Plain Talks on Very Practical Politics, Delivered by Ex-senator George Washington Plunkitt, the Tammany Philosopher, from His Rostrum - the New York County Courthouse Bootblack Stand
By William L. Riordan
Published: 1905
Download available at archive.org
An audio version of this review is available at anchor.fm.
About the Author
George Washington Plunkitt (1842 – 1924) was an American politician from New York State, who served in both houses of the New York State Legislature. He was a leader of the Tammany Hall political organization.
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York City political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789, as the Tammany Society. It became the main local political machine of the Democratic Party, and played a major role in controlling New York City and New York State politics and helping immigrants, most notably the Irish, rise in American politics from the 1790s to the 1960s. It typically controlled Democratic Party nominations and political patronage in Manhattan after the mayoral victory of Fernando Wood in 1854, and used its patronage resources to build a loyal, well-rewarded core of district and precinct leaders; after 1850 the great majority were Irish Catholics. Democratic machines flourished in each of the boroughs, with Tammany Hall in Manhattan the most prominent.
From 1902 until his death in 1924, Charles Francis Murphy was Tammany's boss. Murphy wanted to clean up Tammany's image, and he sponsored progressive era reforms benefiting the working class through his two protégés, Governor Al Smith and Robert F. Wagner. Ed Flynn, a protégé of Murphy who became the boss in the Bronx, said Murphy always advised that politicians should have nothing to do with gambling or prostitution, and should steer clear of involvement with the police department or the school system.
About the Book
The book's Contents contains 23 chapters plus Introduction by Peter Quinn, Preface by William L. Riordan, and Tribute by Charles F. Murphy.
From the Introduction, "Plunkitt is compellingly honest about the true lure of politics — first and foremost, the desire to hold and wield power — and about the rewards those who take up such a calling might expect. According to Plunkitt, 'when a man works in politics, he should get something out of it.'" In the book he describes the difference between dishonest and honest graft. For dishonest graft, one works solely for one's own interests. For honest graft, one pursues, at the same time, the interests of one's party, state, and person. He made most of his money through the purchase of land that he knew would be needed for public projects. This was honest graft. Dishonest graft would be buying land and then using influence to have a project built on it. He explained, 'I could get nothin' at a bargain but a big piece of swamp, but I took it fast enough and held on to it. What turned out was just what I counted on. They couldn't make the park complete without Plunkitt's swamp, and they had to pay a good price for it. Anything dishonest in that?' ... 'I seen my opportunities and I took 'em.'"
From the Preface, "Their absolute frankness and vigorous unconventionality of thought and expression charmed me. Plunkitt said right out what all practical politicians think but are afraid to say."
Some of the book's chapter titles are:
Honest Graft and Dishonest Graft
How to Become a Statesman
The Curse of Civil Service Reform
...
Reciprocity in Patronage
...
On Municipal Ownership
Tammany the Only Lastin’ Democracy
...
Plunkitt’s Fondest Dream
Tammany’s Patriotism
On the Use of Money in Politics
...
Bosses Preserve the Nation
...
Strenuous Life of the Tammany District Leader
Endorsements
This book's popularity is demonstrated in the fact that its Amazon rank is #115 in the category "State & Local Government". Customer Reviews rate it an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars.
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