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Charles Francis Murphy

Great American Biographies - Charles Francis Murphy

Charles Francis Murphy, also known as “Silent Charlie” and “Boss Murphy,” ran New York City’s Tammany Hall from 1902–1924. He is credited with legitimizing the powerful political machine, as well as expanding its reach.

Early Life

Charles Francis Murphy was born in 1858 into an Irish immigrant family in New York City. After quitting school at 14, he worked at Roaches Shipyard and the Crosstown Blue Lines Horsecar Co. In 1880, he used the money he had saved from these jobs to buy a small saloon. “Charlie’s Place” became a popular gathering place and helped Murphy rise to political power in New York City’s Gas House District.

Rise to Power in Tammany Hall

Over the course of several years, Murphy acquired three more saloons, one of which became the headquarters for the local Tammany Hall club. He subsequently became a member of Tammany Hall’s Executive Committee and was appointed to be the Commissioner of Docks in 1897. During his tenure, Murphy established the New York Contracting and Trucking Company, which leased dock space. His business and political success helped him advance in Tammany Hall.

“Boss Murphy”

Murphy’s rise to power culminated in his selection as the head of Tammany Hall in 1902. As boss of the powerful political organization, he continued its long history of patronage, but also sought to improve its credibility by selecting respectable candidates.

Murphy was also successful. Democratic candidates backed by Tammany Hall ruled New York City elections for the next decade. Recognizing the growing progressive movement, he typically backed Democrats who favored reform, including rising party stars like Alfred E. (Al) Smith. Under his leadership, Tammany Hall also supported direct primaries, labor reform, and woman’s suffrage.

Murphy’s tenure wasn’t without failures. In 1912, Tammany Hall threw its support behind William Sulzner as Governor of New York. While Sulzner won the election, he subsequently turned against Tammany Hall. Murphy used his influence over the state legislatures to orchestrate Sulzner’s impeachment one year later. The move proved unpopular with the public and weakened the machine’s political power for several years.

Under Murphy, Tammany Hall regained its political clout and began to spread its influence to the national level. At the time of his death in 1924, Murphy was working make Al Smith the next presidential nominee.

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The Amendments

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    • Establishment ClauseFree Exercise Clause
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Preamble to the Bill of Rights

Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

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