Urban Politics Quotes
Tammany Hall was the name given to the New York City Democratic political machine. While it was, by modern standards, quite corrupt, the main source of its power was what it delivered to the general mass of New York City citizens. And Tammany Hall was unsurpassed in its delivery of public works to the city. Bridges, subways, parks, and other amenities were conceived of, financed and built by government. Although each of these projects had funds skimmed by the politicians, the projects were constructed to an extent and scale that was previously unknown in politics. In that sense, Tammany Hall was one of the major early instances of the liberal notion of government development of urban areas.
John Purroy Mitchell, 1879–1918, was an abject failure as a mayor. He only lasted one term and almost had a popular revolution against him. He had no ability to connect with the average voter and cared little for any but the upper classes, many of whom lived on 5th Avenue. 1st Avenue in contrast was full of overcrowded slums and the poorest people in the city. His repugnance for common people was ironic because he was the grandson of the great Irish nationalist, John Mitchel, 1815-1874, Irish Journalist & Founder of United Irishman and Founder of The Irish Confederation. He was one of the great heroes of the common people who was jailed in Australia by the English. He escaped and came to New York City.
The Black community and the Democrats had conducted a very successful voter registration drive and Preisse didn’t want them to have any further advantage. It is much easier for middle class and wealthy people to adjust their work schedules so that they can vote during the voting hours. Saturday voting, extending the voting hours and other means that would help the working person who cannot control his own time schedule would help voter turnout a great deal. But of the voters who would be assisted, the belief is that most would vote Democrat. As a result, Republicans tend to oppose making voting any easier and support any steps that can make it more difficult for the poor or the working class. However, the admission that the motivation was to keep Blacks from voting was terribly embarrassing to the Republican Governor and other party leaders. However, it was not embarrassing enough to extend the voting hours.
