The triumph of Tammany in 1892 was followed by such ill-disguised corruption that the citizens of New York were again roused from their apathy.The investigations of the Fassett Committee of the State Senate two years previously had shown how deep the tentacles of Tammany were thrust into the administrative departments of the city.The Senate now appointed another investigating committee, of which Clarence Lexow was the chairman and John W.Goff the counsel.The Police Department came under its special scrutiny.The disclosures revealed the connivance of the police in stupendous election frauds.The President of the Police Board himself had distributed at the polls the policemen who committed these frauds.It was further revealed that vice and crime under police protection had been capitalized on a great scale.It was worth money to be a policeman.One police captain testified he had paid $15,000 for his promotions; another paid $12,000.It cost $300 to be appointed patrolman.Over six hundred policy-shops were open, each paying $1500 a month for protection;pool rooms paid $300 a month; bawdy-houses, from $25 to $50 per month per inmate.And their patrons paid whatever they could be blackmailed out of; streetwalkers, whatever they could be wheedled out of; saloons, $20 per month; pawnbrokers, thieves, and thugs shared with the police their profits, as did corporations and others seeking not only favors but their rights.
The committee in its statement to the Grand Jury (March, 1892)estimated that the annual plunder from these sources was over $7,000,000.
During the committee's sessions Croker was in Europe on important business.But he found time to order the closing of disreputable resorts, and, though he was only a private citizen and three thousand miles away, his orders were promptly obeyed.
Aroused by these disclosures and stimulated by the lashing sermons of the Rev.Charles H.Parkhurst, the citizens of New York, in 1894, elected a reform government, with William L.
Strong as Mayor.His administration set up for the metropolis a new standard of city management.Colonel George E.Waring organized, for the first time in the city's history, an efficient streetcleaning department.Theodore Roosevelt was appointed Police Commissioner.These men and their associates gave to New York a period of thrifty municipal housekeeping.
But the city returned to its filth.After the incorporation of Greater New York and the election of Robert A.Van Wyck as its mayor, the great beast of Tammany arose and extended its eager claws over the vast area of the new city.
The Mazet Committee was appointed by the legislature in 1899 to investigate rumors of renewed corruption.But the inquiry which followed was not as penetrating nor as free from partizan bias as thoughtful citizens wished.The principal exposure was of the Lee Trust, an attempt to monopolize the city's ice supply, in which city officials were stockholders, the mayor to the extent of 5000shares, valued at $500,000.It was shown, too, that Tammany leaders were stockholders in corporations which received favors from the city.Governor Roosevelt, however, refused to remove Mayor Van Wyck because the evidence against him was insufficient.
The most significant testimony before the Mazet Committee was that given by Boss Croker himself.His last public office had been that of City Chamberlain, 1889-90, at a salary of $25,000.
Two years later he purchased for $250,000 an interest in a stock-farm and paid over $100,000 for some noted race-horses.He spent over half a million dollars on the English racetrack in three years and was reputed a millionaire, owning large blocks of city real estate.He told the committee that he virtually determined all city nominations; and that all candidates were assessed, even judicial candidates, from $10,000 to $25,000 for their nominations."We try to have a pretty effective organization--that's what we are there for," he explained."We are giving the people pure organization government," even though the organizing took "a lot of time" and was "very hard work."Tammany members stood by one another and helped each other, not only in politics but in business."We want the whole business [city business] if we can get it." If "we win, we expect everyone to stand by us." Then he uttered what must have been to every citizen of understanding a self-evident truth, "I am working for my pockets all the time."Soon afterwards Croker retired to his Irish castle, relinquishing the leadership to Charles Murphy, the present boss.The growing alertness of the voters, however, makes Murphy's task a more difficult one than that of any of his predecessors.It is doubtful if the nature of the machine has changed during all the years of its history.Tweed and Croker were only natural products of the system.They typify the vulgar climax of organized looting.
In 1913 the Independent Democrats, Republicans, and Progressives united in a fusion movement.They nominated and, after a most spirited campaign, elected John Purroy Mitchel as mayor.He was a young man, not yet forty, had held important city offices, and President Wilson had appointed him Collector of the Port of New York.His experience, his vigor, ability, and straightdealing commended him to the friends of good government, and they were not disappointed.The Mitchel regime set a new record for clean and efficient municipal administration.Men of high character and ability were enlisted in public service, and the Police Department, under Commissioner Woods, achieved a new usefulness.
