Honest Graft: The World of George Washington Plunkitt
Section one To begin with George Washington Plunkitt stated that ‘A politician that embezzles is worse than a crook because he is a fool. He was mainly a democratic senator in New York. Around the 20th century he developed thought on politics, which kind of acts as a man can apply his political theories only in his area or town. Since a lot of people were not aware of the political implications being created, they disagreed with the workings of Tammany Hall according to Plunkitt. Also the Tammany Hall and the politicians from there created a positive vibe about politics in the society. I believe educating them about politics and reaching out to them made the population there more
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As most men in the Tammany Hall he never got involved in the dishonest graft was one of the politicians who practiced honest graft. As said before and also how he advised the young men who showed interest in politics he did politics for the right reasons and never used his power to make personal gains. Plunkitt would make a lot of money by buying lands which was considered necessary for the development of the community and they he would sell it in a much higher price. He states “I SEE MY OPPROTUNITUES AND I TAKE IT. I GO THAT PLACE AND I BUY UP ALL THE LAND I CAN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THEN THE BOARD OF THIS OR THAT PLACE MAKES ITS PLAN PUBLIC, AND THERE IS A RUSH TO GET MY LAND, WHICH NOBODY CARED FOR BEFORE. According to him buying a land and then having a project there would be considered dishonest graft. In Plunkitt’s life and other politicians in the Tammany Hall, honest graft was very influential. They all looked out for each other and gave each other chances and opportunities. As Plunkitt took every opportunity he got and utilized it, by the time he died he was the wealthiest
In the novel 1776 by David McCullough, the author gives the reader an accurate description of the events around the year 1776. However, certain characters and events are portrayed through the opinion of the author which gives an interesting view and may change certain opinions on characters. McCullough starts off with the portrayal of King George when he learns of a rebellion. King George is portrayed as rather wise and we'll put together and the authors puts aside his later madness for the reader to see the kind of man he really was. McCullough’s portrayal of George Washington in my opinion was sort of the opposite of rags to riches. Washington starts off in a practically English lifestyle then later takes control of the American army and
David McCullough author of 1776 puts faces and feelings to the events of the Revolutionary war making this an exciting novel even when the ending is known. Acting as a companion to an earlier work of McCullough’s, John Adams, 1776 is a strictly military view of the era versus political. Although the reader may have to get accustomed to the vast amount of characters introduced McCullough makes sure that those you are supposed to remember you will. Every character introduced is described incredibly well and throughout the novel you begin to feel as if you know the character and are going through the battle with them, specifically General George Washington with whom the reader emphasizes constantly with throughout the war. With the great description of the characters and events we feel as if we are there and in doing this the author creates understanding, the reader by knowing all sides and characters’ personalities the feels they know why the Revolution happened the way it did.
Individuals like Boss Tweed seized and controlled entire cities. William M. Tweed was a politician who controlled New York City's political network through illegal subsidization for political support and affiliation with city gangs. From his headquarters at Tammany Hall and his position in the United States House of Representatives, he was able to orchestrate elections, cultivate support, and establish the New York County Courthouse, funded by the profits of the Tweed Ring (“William Magear Tweed”) . His accomplishments were made possible by the chaotic shambling of desperate people who had no choice but to submit to his demands, in hopes of alleviating themselves from their dire circumstances. Tweed was only one of many corrupt political figures who used their power and influence to accumulate wealth, and vice versa.
One thing that made his intentions unclear is how he talks about honest graft and dishonest graft. Plunkitt describes honest graft when he says; “Ain't it perfectly honest to charge a good price and make a profit on my investment and foresight? Of course, it is.”(3) Further reading into his description of honest graft it becomes clear that his brand of graft isn’t all that honest. Plunkitt explains how honest graft is where he gets a tip on plans for an area then goes and buys the land around it to sell it at a premium when it has become more des...
With this power came leniency for the men and Tweed began to use this power to gain personal wealth. Tweed accomplished this when he made business for the city. For example, “Tweed allowed the contractors to overcharge the city for their work as long as the suppliers ‘kicked back’ a portion of their illicit profits to him” (Anbinder, 2010), as well as Hall, Sweeny, and Connolly. Tweed and these men were nicknamed the Tweed ring, known for their illicit acts against the city (Hirsch, 1945, p.
The political scene of New York was altered greatly as a result of the Triangle Fire. Still dominated by the machine-boss system, New York was prime example of graft and corruption of politicians. Tammany Hall still reigned supreme, even after the fall of Boss Tweed in the 1870s, and a man named Charles Murphy headed it. In 1909, when workers at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory went on strike, owners Max Blanck and Isaac Harris used the police and gangsters to get the strikers to give up their cause. The suppliers of these corrupt office...
Following the years of Congressional Reconstruction during the Johnson administration, former Union General Ulysses S. Grant was elected president, despite his lack of political experience. Although Grant was an excellent soldier, he proved to be an insufficient politician, failing to respond effectively to rampant corruption throughout his two terms in office. Both government and businesses were plagued by corrupt schemes, as Republican leaders used the spoils system to gain political favors and “robber barons,” such as Jay Gould and James Fisk, stole large sums of money at the public’s expense. New York Mayor William “Boss” Tweed, leader of the “Tammany Hall” political machine, took advantage of the influx of immigrants to the United States by manipulating newly arrived immigrants, promising employment, housing, and other favors in return for their electoral support. This blatant corruption severely damaged the opinions of many Americans regarding their government, and prompted the election of numerous reform-minded politicians. Rutherford B. Hayes and James Garfield both attempted to restore honest government following the tainted Grant administration, yet political divisions between the “Halfbreed” and “Stalwart” factions of the Republican Party prev...
One reason for the outspread of muckraking was the explosion of journalism. From 1870-1909 the number of daily newspapers circulated boomed from 574 to 2,600 and the number of subscribers from 2,800,000 to 24,800,000. With this increase, newspaper owners and editors needed new bait to reel in its subscribers. The newspaper editors wanted to replace ordinary town gossip with gossip about the latest events of the city. Therefore, in newspapers they placed the most shocking events and kept the rural mind drooling for more. As newspaper circulation grew, the large newspaper depended much less on political parties and could now even challenge them. Newspapers played on the new human interest, the concern of the wealthy with the affairs of those below them, status-wise. This "story of the poor" became the basic outline for muckraking (Ho...
enough votes to maintain control over the community. Political machines were able to restructure the city governments; they also resulted in poorer services, corruption and aggravation of the immigrants and minorities. ("Encyclopedia of American History") He was able to infiltrate Tammany Hall and bribe or smooth-talk any government official that stood in his way. Famously, Tweed is known for the construction of the New York Courthouse. It wasn't until the New York Times wrote an exposé on Boss Tweed that his grafting became publicly known and finally consequences caught up with his actions.
Through muckraking they were able to enlighten the people of the need for change, and with the help of the people demand and support reform.
I believe that George Washington was one of the best presidents of the United States. Not only did he fight for his people, but he kept the nation alive during one of its biggest challenges it has ever faced. Also since he was the very first president of the United States, who knows where our country would be without him.
One of our country’s most significant leaders was George Washington. He is known as the father of our nation and has affected the way our country is today. There’s hardly a person in America who doesn’t know his name. He will be remembered for as long as America stands proud and free.
With George Washington being pronounced as a war hero he became the President by the only unanimous draft by the Electoral College. At 6 feet 2 inches and strong features Washington was an imposing person though he favored the quiet over politics. This might have been his greatest attribute. Washington did not run his everyday life to become president so when he was elected he was able to lead through his character. He did not try to use the typical “politician” agenda or talk to convince people he was in charge. He was so well liked that when he arrived in New York, the temporary capital, he was greeted by not only pomp and circumstance, cannons, flowered covered road, by more importantly a crowd that was singing and shouting. He then
George Washington one said, ''Bless my family, kindred, friends and country, be our God and guide this day and forever for His sake, who lay down in the grave and arose again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'' It is hard to believe that Washington was the commander of the revolutionary family, and that he would become the first president of the United States of America. For his bravery and sacrifice and the victories he achieved, he was one of the most important people in the history of the United States.
Known as a period of political scandal, many politicians engaged in bribes, lies, and abuse of power to further a political, social, and often personal agenda. The typical corrupt leader "will sell his vote for a dollar [...] turns with indifference from the voice of honesty and reason [...] his unalienable right may be valuable to him for the bribe he gets out of it" (166). Such politicians are an injustice to society because as they are elected by the people, they must act towards the betterment of the people, rather than for themselves. Furthermore, those who elect this politician to office merely underestimate their political and social responsibility because they "want the feeling that their own interests are connected with those of the community, and in the weakness or absence of moral and political duty" (167). Thus, under the control of the ruthless politician and the reckless voter, the true essence of democracy is