<img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/Tammany_Hall_LC-USZ62-101734.jpg" width=100% alt="Tammany hall">
New York City of the eighteen-sixties is a bustling, multi-cultural city with a large and growing immigrant population. New York has wealth, but very little of it is in the hands of newly arrived immigrants. If you need help getting started in your new home there is a powerful group that will help you. All you have to do is pledge them your political vote for the rest of your life.
[[Graft]]
Music in this story Music from https://www.zapsplat.com, Taylor Hayward
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/NY-World-immigration-1906.jpg" width=100% alt="12 new Americans a minute">
Congratulations! You survived the trip from Ireland to the United States, passed the immigrant screenings Ellis Island, and arrived in New York City. Now what? The city is huge and you are on your own. You learned as much as you could before you made the trip, but now you feel small and unsure.
Someone pushes past you, "Out of the way!" You didn't realize you had stopped, but now you move forward again, uncertain where to go, but trying to stay out of the way.
"Hi! You look like you need a friend!"
[[Next|the speaker]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/Ward_politician_haranguing_voters_by_radio.jpg" width=100% alt="Political Cartoon of Ward politician haranguing voaters by radio">
As the ward heeler, your job is to help immigrants and locals when they are in need, in exchange for votes. You also help Tammany Hall politicians to get elected by campaigning for them in the neighborhood, beating up their supporters, and getting people out to vote.
See? Not too hard.
You have an election coming up so things are getting busy.
Today you need to
[[Help an immigrant family get a new appartment]]
[[Deal with supporters of a rival politician]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/harpersweeklytammanyhallbosses.jpg" width=100% alt="Political Cartoon of Tammany Hall bosses controlling NY City">
Corruption is the name of the game, and Tammany Hall plays it well. The Society of St. Tammany (Tammany Hall) is the local face of the Democratic party. The society started in 1789, and the first boss is rumored to have been Aaron Burr, Vice President, and the man who shot Alexander Hamilton.
Tammany Hall controlles New York City politics, government contracts, and appointed positions, and they look out for their supporters while trying to destroy their opponents. So enemies beware!
Choose your persona:
[[An Irish Immigrant]]
[[A Ward Heeler]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay>The speaker is a tall, skinny, red-haired man in a cheap suit. His hair is combed in the latest style and you can smell his cologne. It smells like he dumped the bottle over his head.
<img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/tammanyman.jpg" width=25% alt="1860's man">
"I'm from the Society of St. Tammany. My name is Sean O'Conner, and I can help you get a job and find a place to stay. We lookout for new immigrants. I moved here two years ago myself. Come on! I will show you where to go. Here, let me help you with your bag."
You are not sure if you should trust a stranger in a big city. After thinking quickly you
[[Follow the Man]]
[[Decide to Continue Alone]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/nypl.digitalcollections.510d47e2-8e3f-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.w.jpg" width=100% alt="New York City street">
After walking a long ways Sean shows you into a small street-level shop. "Wait here," he says, "I'll get the ward heeler. His name is Mr. Sullivan. He will get you all set up."
"What's a ward heeler?"
Sean paused in the door to the back, "The heeler is a local representative for Tammany Hall. He is in charge of getting men out to vote and dealing with any trouble makers. Whatever you do, don't ever cross the Ward Heeler. He is your best friend and worst enemy."
[[Next|You Look]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/Yard_of_a_tenement_at_Park_Ave._LOC_det.4a28182.jpg" width=25% alt="yard of a tenement at Park Ave.">
You continue on your way. As you walk you pass a tenement building with "rooms for rent" in the window. You stop and knock on the door.
After waiting for a few minutes and knocking again an elderly woman opens the door. "What do you want?" she demands.
"I would like to rent a room please."
"Do you vote for the hall?" she demands abruptly.
"The hall?"
"Yes, the hall. I don't want no trouble, so I only rent rooms to men who vote for Tammany Hall."
"Yes. I vote for the hall." You still don't understand who or what the hall is, but if that is what it takes to get a room then so be it.
[[Next|After a Month]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/1913_Big-Tim-Sullivan_straw-hat.jpg" width=25% alt="Ward Heeler Big Tim Sullivan">
Sean returns to the room followed by a large, stern-looking man.
"This is Mr. Sullivan. He will get you all set up."
You look at the ward heeler, and you suddenly think that he probably doesn't have much work dealing with trouble. One look at him and no one would argue!
[[Next|So You Are]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/kovah-bmNkn10ST2s-unsplash.jpg" width=25% alt="Old desk">
Your factory is building furniture for the new courthouse, and as you read the records you notice something strange.
The city is massively overpaying for the furniture!
The factory built forty chairs and three tables... and sold them for $179,729 ($2.5 million today)!
You read the number again, just to make sure you aren't seeing things.
You blink once, twice, nope. It's still there.
Maybe the number is written wrong. Just last week ten chairs and a table for a local restaurant were sold for $100.
[[Next|Ask the Boss]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay>"Thanks for the offer," you say, "but I think I will look for a job somewhere els..."
You haven't even finished your sentence when Sean grabs your arm. "I need to talk to you outside for a minute," he says hurriedly, "excuse us, Mr. Sullivan.
Sean hurries you outside, waits for the door to shut, and then turns on you with a whispered shout. "What are you thinking? You can't refuse his offer!!! Refusing him would be rude, and if you are rude to him then you have just disrespected him and Tammany Hall too! They don't forget!" He takes a deep breath. "No you go back in there, say you are grateful for the offer, and that you will take the job."
[[Take the Job]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay>After a month in your new home, you have begun to settle in. You finally found a job, and once again had to promise to vote for Tammany hall because the factory foreman "Didn't want no trouble."
You have also found out that voting for Tammany Hall means voting for the Democratic Party. You aren't too worried...you don't have much interest in politics.
[[Next|You Are Promoted]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/kovah-bmNkn10ST2s-unsplash.jpg" width=25% alt="Old desk">
In a short time at your job you are promoted to work in the office. A good education back home in Ireland means you can keep the records of purchases and sales for the business.
Your factory is building furniture for the new courthouse, and as you read the records you notice something strange. The city is massively overpaying for the furniture! The factory built forty chairs and three tables...for $179,729 ($2.5 million today)! You read the number again, just to make sure you aren't seeing things. You blink once, twice, nope. It's still there.
Maybe the number is written wrong. Just last week ten chairs and a table for a local restaurant were sold for $100.
[[Next|Ask the Boss]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/Boss_Tweed,_Thomas_Nast.jpg" width=25% alt="Political cartoon of Boss Tweed with a money bag instead of a head">
When your boss comes back from lunch you ask him about the price of the courthouse furniture. He laughs, closes the office door, and explains.
"Tammany Hall looks out for us," he says. "When we put in the job bid we price it high. They give us the job and we give them two-thirds of the money."
"You mean..."
"Yep." He chuckles again. "They got close to $120,000 out of the deal, but we still earned close to $60,000, so it was a win/win!" He pauses, looking at you sharply. "Now this is all a secret, you hear? People know it happens, but they don't want it pushed in their faces, and we don't want the wrong person to hear of it. After all, its honest graft (see below)... it’s not like we are hurting anyone, they needed those chairs." He chuckles again as he opens the door and walks out.
[[Next|You stare in shock]]
*Graft is illegal and corrupt business practices such as bribery. Some members of Tammany Hall felt there was both honest and dishonest graft.
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/Carson_City_ledger_book.jpg" width=100% alt="man with a beard">
You stare after your boss in shock. How did they get away with overcharging such a massive amount of money? Did no one care? Should you care?
You turn back to the record you are checking but an alarming thought sticks in your head: if you do nothing are you guilty too?
[[Next|But What Can You Do?]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay>Corruption hurts everyone because you, the ordinary pay the bills, but what can you do? You could lose your job, get beat up, or even die if you try to tell the truth. So you wait.
[[Next|An Election]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/1895_-_Lochman_Gallery_-_Man_with_Deep_Hat_and_Beard_-_Photo_Card_-_Allentown_PA.jpg" width=100% alt="man with a beard">
An election is coming soon. The pressure is on to grow a beard. Why a beard? So you can vote multiple times. Apparently voting for the Hall once is not enough. Like everyone else in the factory, you are dutifully growing a beard, or trying... it’s not going too well. Sigh.
You still worry about the illegal over-charging and kickbacks that seem routine on government work, but you just keep the records and keep your mouth shut.
[[Next|Election Day]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay>Election day is here. Everyone is being given time in the workday to go vote.
Your beard finally grew in, so you will be voting...
then shaving down to a mustache, to vote again...
And finally shaving the mustache off and, you guessed it, voting AGAIN!
That is THREE times, (in case you weren't counting.)That's election day, Tammany Hall style!
But who will you vote for? You know that the candidates backed by Tammany Hall are breaking the law and bending the rules.
But what if you don't vote for the Tammany Hall Democratic candidate?
[[Vote for the Tammany Hall Candidate]]
[[Vote for the Other Guy]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay>Why fight the system? After all, they helped you get your job and apartment. You decide to get what you can and avoid trouble with the Tammany Hall enforcers who beat up men who don't cooperate.
You didn't make the system and it’s not your job to change it!
[[Time to Vote]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/Boss_Tweed,_Nast.jpg" width=100% alt="Boss Tweed guarding the ballot box">
It's not right! Tammany Hall is committing voter fraud, voter intimidation, and stealing the citizens of New York City blind! There is not much you can do, but you can vote for the other guy and hope things change.
Unfortunately, a Tammany Hall enforcer is notified that you did not vote for the right person. You are pulled into a dark alley and beat up. You now have a broken arm, two broken ribs, and a concussion.
When you drag yourself back to your apartment you find all of your things piled outside the door and a padlock in place.
Oh, and you were fired from your job. You went there after collecting your things, only to be told if you didn't leave you would be arrested.
Tammany Hall is cruel to those who oppose them.
[[Political Power and Corruption]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/Charles_Henry_White,_The_Condemned_Tenement,_NY,_1906,_NGA_149496.jpg" width=100% alt="Drawing of condemned Tenement housing">
The O'Brian family lost all their things and has to move because a wood stove malfunctioned and burned out their apartment. You could have someone else help the Ward family find a new place but this is one part of your job you actually enjoy.
You stop in at a local tenement building (an early form of apartment buildings) and let the manager know to hold an empty unit for the O'Brians. The manager is willing to help out because Tammany Hall got him his job. There is only one open unit available, and there was already a family who planned to move in. Unfortunately, they are not friends of Tammany Hall, and the O'Brians are, so the O'Brians will get it instead.
You continue on your way to let the O'Brians know the good news.
Time to go [[Deal with supporters of a rival politician]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/Crowded NY Street.jpg" width=100% alt="New York City street crowded with immigrants">
The Republican candidate is crazy if he thinks he has a chance here. You know the local residents will support the democratic Tammany Hall candidate. You personaly bought their votes with jobs and living space, and they know going back on their part of the bargan would be dangerous.
Even so, you won't allow any campaigning in your ward. It might make you look weak! Time to deal with the person responsible for all the political poster you can see as you walk down the street.
[[Next|Talk with the Republicans]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/Boss_Tweed,_Nast.jpg" width=100% alt="Boss Tweed guarding the ballot box">
The first time you vote on election day your step is light and happy. After all time off work is time off, no matter why you got it!
The second time you vote your face feels itchy from shaving, and your mustache seems out of place. You watch the polling staff from the corner of your eye, sure they will recognize that you are committing fraud and call the police.
The third time you head in to vote your step is slow. You nod to the Tammany Hall thug leaning against the building across the street, ensure that he sees you completing your part of the bargain. He nods back.
You don't feel good about this, but you have to see it through. After all, this was the price you agreed to for your job and a place to live.
You owe them, and you always will.
[[Political Power and Corruption]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/Tammany_Ring,_Nast_crop.jpg" width=100% alt="Nast Political Cartoon of Tammany Ring with each politician pointing at the next person">
Tammany Hall is one of the notorious political machines of American history. Political power was used to give out government contracts, jobs, and favors. In return bribes, kick-backs (money paid in return for government job contracts), and voting loyalty were paid to Tammany Hall and it's leaders. These illegal ways of making money were known as "graft."
The wealthy and powerful residents of New York City relied on Tammany Hall's ability to keep order among the immigrant population, a segment of the city that alarmed the elite. As long as order was maintained the rich and powerful turned a blind eye to the corruption.
The most infamous leader was William M. "Boss" Tweed, who was arrested for political corruption after evidence was given by an unhappy mid-level member.
Political Cartoonist Thomas Nast campaigned against Tammany Hall, using scathing political cartoons to bring public attention to the massive fraud and corruption that fuled the political power of the Democratic party in New York, particularly in New York City.
Tammany Hall began to lose its grip on New York in the 1930s in a power struggle with Franklin D. Roosevelt. They never fully recovered and were completely gone by the 1960s.
Now head back to the begining and play the second storyline:
[[An Irish Immigrant]]
[[A Ward Heeler]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay>You find the republican campaign supporter putting up more posters. He is a short man with black hair and sunburn.
"A word," you say, standing casually to the man's left.
He turns, surprised, his eyes darting between you and Red. He swallows hard, then holds out his hand. "Joseph McCormick," he says with forced cheerfulness, "how can I help you?"
You give him a long, silent stare, waiting as he shifts and sweat breaks out on his face. He grows more uneasy with each silent moment.
You stare silently, deciding how to handle this intruder.
[[Shake him up a bit]]
[[Let him go with a warning]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/supportersoftammanyhall.jpg" width=100% alt="Supporters of Tammany Hall setting up political booth">
The rival political posters have all been torn down and the rival campaigner dealt with but there is still work to ensure the success of the Democratic candidates. Winning this election and all the others across the city is key to maintaining political power. Political power protects the ability to reward friends with government contracts and keep the bribe money and kickbacks rolling in. It enables you to help out deserving people...for their support, of course. Winning is your job security.
Posters on every wall: check.
Local businesses reminded to have their male employees go vote: check.
Local supporters reminded of what they owe to Tammany Hall and their agreed duty to vote as many times as they can for Tammany politicians: check.
Rival Political supporters warned against trying to vote: check and check
[[Election Day|Election Day 2]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/Boss_Tweed,_Nast.jpg" width=100% alt="Boss Tweed guarding the ballot box">
Election day skies are sunny and bright. You are exhausted, but in a few hours all your work will pay off, and maybe you will get some rest.
Reports trickle in from your poll watchers and from across the whole city. Supporters are successfully voting two and even three times. Known opposition supporters who try to vote are prevented from voting. A few who manage to vote are dragged behind a building and bloodied.
The polls close and once again the victory has gone to the Tammany Hall candidate. Power is safe again. You did your job.
[[Political Power and Corruption]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay>As harmless as he looks Mr. McCormick is a problem. Your reputation as Ward Heeler is maintained through bribery and fear. Today is the day to reinforce the fear.
You give a slight nod to Red. He casually begins waking toward Mr. McCormick. The short man's face pales. He begins to shake his head and back toward the wall, clutching the posters in front of him like a shield. Red grabs Mr. McCormick's arm and quickly drags him toward the back of the nearby alley.
You hear the high-pitched sound of pleading and calls for help, cut off by the thud of Red's fists.
The incident is regrettable but necessary to maintaining your control of the ward.
[[Preparing for Election]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay>You break the silence with a sigh. The sound makes McCormick jump. "This is a warning. If I find you here again, or if another Tammany man catches you campaigning for a Republican you might find you have trouble walking home." You turn away as a pale McCormick hurries away. "Red, follow him. Make sure he leaves." You shake your head.
[[Next|Preparing for Election]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay><img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/plunkittquote.jpg" width=100% alt="George Plunkitt Quote">
A word about Graft-
Graft is when politicians use their authority and position for personal financial gain. Tammany Hall politicians had graft down to an art. George Plunkitt, a Tammany Hall Politician, even claimed there was such a thing as "honest graft," meaning dishonest, and illegal actions that benefited him and didn't appear to hurt anyone.
An example of "honest" graft would be an official giving a contract to re-roof an orphanage to someone who is intentionally overcharging the government for the job in exchange for being given a percentage of the payout...the orphans get a roof and the politician and contractor both gets a lot of money. There is no apparent victim (though taxpayers are victimized by this crime.)
Another example would be knowing through your position that there were plans to build a new school or park and choosing to buy the property at a low price so you can sell it for a high price. This would be using your position for personal gain, but according to Plunkitt, it is "honest graft." He wrote a whole book about how Tammany Hall and their political system worked, titled Plunkitt of Tammany Hall
<img src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/img/Plunkitt-Tammany-Hall-Plunkitt.jpg" width=100% alt="Plunkitt of tammany hall book cover">
[[Next]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay>You look around the room while you wait. It is plain and a bit depressing. A few chairs, a desk, and some political posters on the wall are the only attempts at decorating.
[[Next|Sean Returns]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay>"So you are new and need a job?" Mr. Sullivan's deep voice makes you jump.
"Yessir. I can do most any work. I can also read, write, and do sums."
"Hmmm." Mr. Patrick strokes his chin thoughtfully. "I may have just the place for you. A local factory needs someone to keep their accounting books in order. Their last accountant liked to talk about other people's business and took a nasty fall after talking too much.
"Talking too much?" your throat is suddenly dry.
"Loose lips are bad for business." Mr. Sullivan waves his hand casually. "But that does not concern you. You don't discuss things that are none of your business, right?"
You shake your head vigorously
"Well all right then.
[[Take the Job]]
[[Decline the Job]]
<audio src="https://www.adventureinhistory.com/adventurefiles/caughtinthepoliticalmachine/audio/panjshir.mp3" autoplay>