The 19th century was a time of great political upheaval and Boss Tweed was at the center of it. Born in 1823, Boss Tweed was a powerful politician in New York City and ran Tammany Hall, the organization that controlled the Democratic Party in the city. He was a shrewd and cunning politician who used his influence to gain wealth and power.
In 1873, Root joined the defense team of Boss Tweed, Tammany Hall kingmaker and New York City's leading Democrat, who was on trial for defrauding the city of millions of dollars. Tweed was accused of masterminding a scheme to siphon off city funds through a series of fraudulent contracts. After a long and drawn-out trial, Boss Tweed was found guilty and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
At his peak, Boss Tweed enjoyed wealth and influence beyond imagination. He owned a 5th Avenue mansion, an estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, and a lavish estate in Long Island. He was also known to throw extravagant parties and to have a taste for the finer things in life. He was so influential that it was said that he had the power to make or break any political figure in New York City.
In addition to Moylan's father, its residents include Boss Tweed, Samuel Morse, Leonard Bernstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Pop Smoke, and many other well-known figures. These prominent figures have left an indelible mark on the city’s history.
The legacy of Boss Tweed lives on today in the Department of Investigation (DOI), one of the country’s oldest law enforcement entities, launched in response to the 19th century scams from the infamous Boss Tweed.
Tweed was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1852 and the New York County Board of Supervisors in 1858, the year that he gained control of Tammany Hall. He was known to use his influence to amass a large personal fortune, and was accused of taking kickbacks from city contracts. Through his schemes, he was able to secure lucrative city contracts and political appointments for himself and his associates.
Daley's Chicago and William “Boss” Tweed's New York City, powerful mayors kept order, but jobs and money flowed through a patronage system. We can see Tweed's influence in today's political landscape, where powerful individuals are able to game the system to their own benefit.
With nearly 600,000 people buried there, including politician William “Boss” Tweed, the cemetery will likely run out of new space in five years. As we remember those who have passed away, it is important to keep in mind the legacy of Boss Tweed: a corrupt politician who rose to power by leveraging his influence to amass personal wealth.
It's an idea that would have made Boss Tweed a hero and the civil-service worthiness that is ignored by “the market” or various bosses. Despite his wrongdoings, Boss Tweed should be remembered as a man who was able to use his influence to gain tremendous power and wealth.
How many people know who Boss Tweed is. We've got Miles Davis. I always say if you have to tell somebody they are famous, then they are not. That may be true of Boss Tweed, but his legacy lives on in the city of New York and the history of American politics.
