Plunkitt Of Tammany Hall Essay Research Paper

Plunkitt Of Tammany Hall Essay, Research Paper

Gregory Griffiths

History 21

Dr. James S. McKeown

January 30, 2001

Book Report on Plunkitt of Tammany Hall

1. Honest Graft and Dishonest Graft- When Plunkitt was tipped off about something in the city or someone wanting to built a park or something, he sees the opportunity and he takes it. He buys up the land before they do. When they see that they are going to need the land, he sells it to them at a much higher price than what he paid for it, giving him a nice profit. That is honest graft. Several politicians are accused of stealing dollars from the state?s treasury, this is an example of dishonest graft.

The condemnation commissioners came along and found piece after piece of land under the name George Plunkitt of the Fifteenth Assembly District, New York City. They wondered how he knew just what to buy. Plunkitt sees the opportunity and he takes it.

2. How to Become a Statesman- If you want to make a fame and fortune for yourself in politics, do not come at them with all of your book smarts and saying how smart you are. That is a big mistake. Get a person to follow you, even if it is only one person and say that you want to join the organization. Do not go at them with your book smarts because they will say that they have no use for you here.

3. The Curse of the Civil Service Reform- Men who have patriotism get it blasted away when they take the civil services examination. The civil service law is the biggest fraud of the age. There are ten thousand good offices, but we cannot get no more than a few hundred of them. When we cannot place these men who wanted to serve their country, they become an Anarchist. There is nothing in the game.

4. Reformers Only Morning? Glories- Many reform movements were started during PLunkitt?s forty years in politics, but none have lasted more than a few years. Morning glories looked great in the beginning but folded in short time. These reformers have been going into things without much practice while the politicians, have been practicing all of their lives and know ever fine point of the game.

5. New York City Is Pie for the Hayseeds- New York farmers wanted their taxes lowered because they were too high. The Republican Legislature will make a rush for the farmer and tell him that if he does not see what he wants to ask for it. After they cut the farmers tax , they raise taxes on liquor and some other taxes in New York City. They take half of the proceeds from the State Treasury and cut down the farmers taxes to suit. New York City is a big fat goose. Come along with your carvings knives and have a slice.

6. To Hold Your District: Study Human Nature and Act According?- Plunkitt talks about books being a hindrance and the only way to last is to know everyone in your district. He talks about looking after the people, know what they are interested in and help them with what they want. Help the people and they will help you on election day.

7. On the Shame of the Cities- In Lincoln Steffens, The Shame of the Cities, Plunkitt says that he does not know how to make decisions. He talks about the Philadelphia Republican Gang and Tammany Hall being almost the same. Plunkitt thinks he is all wrong. Plunkitt seems to talk about politicians stealing, saying that they in 1905 are no worse than 1835 as a class. It just means that the old timers had nothing to steal, while the politicians in 1905 were surrounded by temptations.

8.Ingratitude in Politics- Plunkitt talks about how he was back stabbed by one of the people he took in hand, ?The? McManus. His friends told him that this would happen but he did not believe them. McManus ran ahead of Plunkitt in their own district. He later broke his ties with him. When a district leader is voted in it is like a solemn contract. If you do good and help us out, we will re-elect you next term. If you do not, you will be swatted down and will not be reelected.

9. Reciprocity in Patronage- Plunkitt talks about him being on top and doing favors for the republicans, and when they are on top, they do not forget him. He also tells another story how this young man was very patriotic and took the civil services examination and lost all patriotism for his country.

10. Brooklynites Natural Born Hayseeds- Brooklynites will never be New Yorkers, because Brooklyn is like no other place on earth. Some upstate members of the State Committee call themselves Democrats. Uptate democrats do not make contributions that much.

11. Tammany Leaders Not Bookworms- Plunkitt talks about all of the people of the district. Talk about Tammany leaders being illiterate men, and Plunkitt says that they do not know what they are talking about. Every District leader is fit to their district and would not fit in any other district.

12. Dangers of the Dress Suit in Politics- Try to make your neighbors, even if they are the poorest of individuals, feel as if they are equal to you, or even a bit superior to you. Above all things avoid a dress suit. When making a speech, talk the language that the people talk. Talk to them in words that everyone will understand.

13. On Municipal Ownership- Plunkitt is for municipal ownership on one condition, the civil service law be repealed. There would be thousands of new places for the workers in Tammany

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