Riordan, Plunkitt of Tammany Hall Assignment



Riordan, Plunkitt of Tammany Hall Assignment

Question 1: What is the main purpose of the book written by Riordan and who is he referring to as machine politics?

The main purpose of the book written by Riordan was to inform the readers about the patronage system and the politics of Tammany Hall. After reading the book it becomes quite apparent that though Plunkitt was corrupt but he didn't intend to cause any harm to the public. The term machine politics refers to the politics of Tammany Hall, as Riordan attempts to justify the corrupt activities of the officials, by calling them harmless crimes.

Question 2: According to the author, what are the most apparent threats posed by the urban bosses?

According to the author the most perceived problems are the criticism against urban bosses that they just draw salary from the offices. He also states that if college graduates or cart-tail orators are appointed instead of bosses to take care of the system than it would lead to a total chaos and hap hazard.

Question 3: How are these threats answered by the author?

According to the author, if bosses are removed, it would result in a total chaos, and the decorum will be disorganized. He uses the examples of dry-food clerks setting, running and managing trains systems, if fresh graduates were hired instead of urban bosses. He also emphasizes on passing a bill that would limit such actions and prevent them from occurring.

Question 4: How does the author differentiate between honest and dishonest grafts?

According to the author, stealing from the city's treasury is supposed to be termed as a dishonest graft, not by availing opportunities. The author refers dishonest grafts to blackmailers, gamblers, disorderly people, and saloonkeepers. He states that these are few examples of dishonest grants but by choosing opportunities that are presented should not be termed as a dishonest graft.

Question 5: According to the author, are the needs of the urban residents addressed by the machines adequately?

According to the author they were not satisfied to a great extent, as the political machines were interested in doing more for themselves and less for the urban residents.

Question 6: What are the factors that are suitable and not suitable in the context of political machine?

Certainly the factors that are not suitable for political machine are the criticisms for corruption regarding the system and proposal of new ...