Boss machine system- urban politics revolved around ethnicity
1. City divided into wards- the city council was based on wards
a. If a particular ethnic group did not dominate any wards, they would not be
in a good position
b. Power in the ward level- ward chairman- very powerful man
c. Schools based on wards
2. system held together by:
a. favors- providing loads of coal, building a flight of stairs, food, pave
streets, street lights, getting people out of jail
b. jobs- there was no civil service exams- jobs awarded based on immigrant
seniority
c. voting blocks- people stayed in their political party for life- kept the
machine in power
3. Boss- machine system- was not usually a city-wide organization
a. Were federations of smaller machines operating on the ward level (or even
precinct)
b. The city boss was a broker/ coordinator
4. Bosses operate illegally/ legally
a. Bosses built streets, waterworks, public bldg’s, and sewers- this presented
an opportunity for graft- bosses acquire $ by using their power- 2 kinds of
graft:
i. “Honest” boodle- using inside information
ii. dishonest “dirty graft”- payoffs, bribes for contracts or franchises,
kickbacks- shakedown of criminals (prostitution, gambling, illegal
alcohol)- police did what they were told
- bosses distribute $ for food, coal, and bail in return for
votes
Christopher Magee- controlled Pittsburgh 1880- 1900- (his home in Oakland became a
maternity hospital and is Magee hospital today)
a. Republican Party
b. Built many streets and businesses
c. Reduced smoke in city
d. Built up police and fire departments