Plunkitt of Tammany Hall
“Plunkitt Inside and Out”
A Critique of a political genius in the late 1800’s
“There’s an honest graft and, I’m an example of how it works…I’ve seen my opportunities and I took ‘em” (3). An excerpt that defines the confident and political leader: George Washington Plunkitt. As a brilliant and successful businessman Plunkitt managed to use his method of machine politics to win the heart and commitment of people and political power. In the novel Plunkitt of Tammany Hall, author William L. Riordon, Plunkitt’s political reporter who records the many lectures Plunkitt presented at Tammany Hall. The book emphasizes on Plunkitt’s advocacy for political control and the political machine that helped him gain wealth and a political seat in Tammany Hall. In novel, Plunkitt defends the political machine by explaining the difference between “honest graft” and “dishonest graft”. Many accused the political leaders of Tammany Hall of gaining wealth from graft. Plunkitt describes the difference between the two terms. He describes “dishonest graft” as “blackmailin’ gamblers, saloonkeepers, and disorderly people” (3). In other words, the corruption of gaining political or business power used from bribery. Plunkitt’s term for “honest graft” has to do with the example of purchasing and selling off land for business projects. For example, if the town begins discussing a specific piece of land to be used for a community park, Plunkitt would buy that piece of land, inflate the price, and sell the property to the project developer. Plunkitt finds his way of profiting “honest”; I call this taking advantage of ones political power. As an “honest” Irish-American Plunkitt knows how to take advantage of the game and he will continue to play it until sand turns into stone. With the ability to win over voter’s hearts and gain political support Plunkitt comfortably knows how to keep a seat in Tammany Hall. One of his, again, “honest” tactics, Plunkitt knows how to target specific types
A Critique of a political genius in the late 1800’s
“There’s an honest graft and, I’m an example of how it works…I’ve seen my opportunities and I took ‘em” (3). An excerpt that defines the confident and political leader: George Washington Plunkitt. As a brilliant and successful businessman Plunkitt managed to use his method of machine politics to win the heart and commitment of people and political power. In the novel Plunkitt of Tammany Hall, author William L. Riordon, Plunkitt’s political reporter who records the many lectures Plunkitt presented at Tammany Hall. The book emphasizes on Plunkitt’s advocacy for political control and the political machine that helped him gain wealth and a political seat in Tammany Hall. In novel, Plunkitt defends the political machine by explaining the difference between “honest graft” and “dishonest graft”. Many accused the political leaders of Tammany Hall of gaining wealth from graft. Plunkitt describes the difference between the two terms. He describes “dishonest graft” as “blackmailin’ gamblers, saloonkeepers, and disorderly people” (3). In other words, the corruption of gaining political or business power used from bribery. Plunkitt’s term for “honest graft” has to do with the example of purchasing and selling off land for business projects. For example, if the town begins discussing a specific piece of land to be used for a community park, Plunkitt would buy that piece of land, inflate the price, and sell the property to the project developer. Plunkitt finds his way of profiting “honest”; I call this taking advantage of ones political power. As an “honest” Irish-American Plunkitt knows how to take advantage of the game and he will continue to play it until sand turns into stone. With the ability to win over voter’s hearts and gain political support Plunkitt comfortably knows how to keep a seat in Tammany Hall. One of his, again, “honest” tactics, Plunkitt knows how to target specific types