Plunkett of Tammany Hall

Plunkitt of Tammany Hall: A Series of Very Plain Talks on Very Practical Politics

One of the most favorite and interesting political books of all time is "Plunkitt of Tammany Hall: A Series of Very Plain Talks on Very Practical Politics" by William L. Riordan. This book offers an insight to the New York politics of the Democratic Party during the time of 1850 until 1093. George Washington Plunkitt was a renowned Tammany ward boss, an image of New York politics and very well-liked by the common people. He was like many other political machines in large cities in America because he stayed in favor of the people by helping and also knocked heads if necessary to achieve his purpose.

Plunkitt exhibits attractive, typical American qualities such as a smart, down-to-earth type of man with common sense. His ability to remain honesty and continue to maintain a readiness to hustle allowed him to achieve his goals. Plunkitt is very likeable by many people and while he is always working for votes, he is also consistently helping those in need.

A number of Irish immigrants were a part of Plunkitt's Tammany organization. William Riordan of the New York Post conducted a series of interviews with Plunkitt at Graziano's shoe shine stand in the New York County Courthouse off Foley Square. Plunkitt also referred to the shoe shine stand as his "office." The interviews with Plunkitt include his well-reasoned distinctions between "good graft and bad graft" and repeated scathing commentaries on the relatively new civil service system.

Plunkitt also refers to the politics of the city as one of a machine. The human establishment is dependent on the interactions between Tammany Hall representatives and the host of humanity populating their districts. Rather than depend on written political positions and lengthy debates about philosophy, Tammany operatives walked the street, knew every member of their districts personally, and helped the lives of their immigrant and downtrodden neighbors by extending a practical hand, holding a job, housing, clothes, English language classes, or whatever else was needed.

The character of Plunkitt embraces the reader to his vices and almost makes one forget that his antics might be unacceptable where his character not so likeable. The philosophy of Plunkitt is one that is easy to follow. He believes that the game of politics can make one rich. He sums up his fortune by stating, "I seen my opportunities and I took 'em." One of the opportunities that he took was in the area of real estate. He would buy up property, and then when the city needed to make improvements or buy property, Plunkitt had plenty to offer for sell. He attributed his honest scheme to investment and foresight. That was his example of honest graft.

Plunkitt's character is quite colorful in his description of how people should enter the political arena. He explains that some young men feel they will experience success in politics by reading and studing, however, this is to be far from the truth. Plunkitt attributes his success to hard work. By first becoming an apprentice, he helped to work polls and develop a following of people or as he called it, votes.

Hard work, and perseverance was the success of George Washington Plunkitt.

However, he also has negative traits. While Plunkitt continues to say he is not against colleges and book learning, his views on higher education appear to be against those who attend or might work within the walls of the universities. He has the ability to employ the better parts of his character as a service that is appears to be very practical and hardnosed.

Plunkitt is finally defeated. He appears to be unconcerned by the defeat as he gathers his followers and continues to be organized. His door remains open and he continues the vigorous duties of his office. He is for the people, because I believe that he always remembered who he was and where his roots were planted. The Irish politician had grown rich in an honest way, but his opponent had discolored the truth and the misunderstanding of the people contributed to the fall of Plunkitt.

Plunkitt's popularity among his people is because he is so accessible. He is known by everyone and he listens to all who have problems. Riordon writes that "he learned how to reach the hearts of the great mass of voters. He does not bother about reaching their heads. It is his belief that arguments and campaign literature have never gained votes." This remained one of Plunkitt's major beliefs throughout his political career.