Political machines
I. Political cartoons of Thomas Nast concerning Boss Tweed
#1 Accusation? ___________________________________
The Brains” (1871)
#2 Accusation? ___________________________________
#3 accusation? ________________________________
II. 1905 conversation between newspaper reporter
William Riordon and New York political boss George
Plunkitt:
Plunkitt: “Go right down among the poor families
and help them in the different ways they need
help….It’s philanthropy, but it’s politics, too-mighty
good politics….The poor are the most grateful
people in the world, and, let me tell you, they have
more friends in their neighborhoods than the rich
have in theirs. If there’s a family in my district in
want I know it before the charitable societies, and
me and my men are first on the ground….The
consequence is that the poor look up to George
W. Plunkitt as a father, come to him in trouble- and don’t forget him on election day.”
1. What does Plunkitt mean when he states, “…It’s philanthropy, but it’s politics, too- mighty good
politics…?”
2. What does Plunkitt get out of this relationship with these poor city folks? What do the poor city folks get
out of the relationship with him? Provide written quotes from the text to back up your responses
3. If you were hearing George Plunkitt sharing that quote to you, what would be your response? Why?