Boston Boston PoliticsPoliticsPolitical Machines in BostonPolitical Machines in Boston

Boston in the years Boston in the years before 1890before 1890

Boston politics were controlled by a Boston politics were controlled by a group of wealthy, protestant families group of wealthy, protestant families known as Brahmins.known as Brahmins.

They had names like Quincy, Adams, They had names like Quincy, Adams, Pierce, Lincoln, Saltonstall, and Cabot-Pierce, Lincoln, Saltonstall, and Cabot-Lodge.Lodge.

Leverett Saltonstall I Henry Cabot Lodge

The Irish take overThe Irish take over

In the late 1800’s, Party Bosses began to take In the late 1800’s, Party Bosses began to take over in Boston’s neighborhoods.over in Boston’s neighborhoods.

Most of these Party Bosses were Irish Most of these Party Bosses were Irish Americans, who were Catholic and oppressed Americans, who were Catholic and oppressed by the Brahmins. (ex. Irish Catholics were not by the Brahmins. (ex. Irish Catholics were not allowed to go to Harvard University.) allowed to go to Harvard University.)

By working in the neighborhoods, the Party By working in the neighborhoods, the Party Bosses were able to get elected to city and Bosses were able to get elected to city and state offices.state offices.

Cogs in the Political Cogs in the Political MachineMachine

Once in office, the Party Bosses would Once in office, the Party Bosses would put their friends, relatives, and put their friends, relatives, and constituents in jobs working for the constituents in jobs working for the government.government.

By employing people from their By employing people from their neighborhoods, the Party Bosses neighborhoods, the Party Bosses ensured that they would continue to be ensured that they would continue to be elected.elected.

PJ KennedyPJ Kennedy Born and raised in East Born and raised in East

Boston by Irish Immigrant Boston by Irish Immigrant parents.parents.

Attended Boston College.Attended Boston College. Spent 5 years in the MA Spent 5 years in the MA

House of Representatives House of Representatives and 6 years in the MA State and 6 years in the MA State Senate.Senate.

In 1895 he left the Senate In 1895 he left the Senate and spent the rest of his and spent the rest of his career in appointed positions career in appointed positions like Fire Commissioner, like Fire Commissioner, while acting as the while acting as the backroom boss of Boston’s backroom boss of Boston’s Ward 2 (East Boston).Ward 2 (East Boston).

John F. FitzgeraldJohn F. Fitzgerald Known as ‘Honey Fitz’.Known as ‘Honey Fitz’. Born and raised in South Boston Born and raised in South Boston

to Irish Immigrant parents.to Irish Immigrant parents. Attended Boston Latin Academy Attended Boston Latin Academy

and Boston College.and Boston College. Spent 2 years in MA State Spent 2 years in MA State

Senate, 7 years in US House of Senate, 7 years in US House of Representatives, and served 2 Representatives, and served 2 terms as the Mayor of Boston.terms as the Mayor of Boston.

Was considered the most Was considered the most powerful politician in Boston and powerful politician in Boston and was a close ally of PJ Kennedy.was a close ally of PJ Kennedy.

Powerful Families Unite…Powerful Families Unite…

In 1914 PJ In 1914 PJ Kennedy’s only Kennedy’s only son, Joe, married son, Joe, married John J. John J. Fitzgerald’s oldest Fitzgerald’s oldest daughter, Rose.daughter, Rose.

and have even more and have even more success in politics.success in politics.

Joe and Rose Kennedy had 9 children (the Joe and Rose Kennedy had 9 children (the grandchildren of PJ Kennedy and John J Fitzgerald) grandchildren of PJ Kennedy and John J Fitzgerald) some of whom were:some of whom were: Joe KennedyJoe Kennedy – WWII pilot, died in action in 1944. – WWII pilot, died in action in 1944. John Fitzgerald KennedyJohn Fitzgerald Kennedy – US Senator and President of – US Senator and President of

the United States. Assassinated in 1963.the United States. Assassinated in 1963. Robert KennedyRobert Kennedy – US Senator and US Attorney General – US Senator and US Attorney General

(during his brother’s Presidency). Assassinated in 1968 (during his brother’s Presidency). Assassinated in 1968 while a candidate for President.while a candidate for President.

Edward ‘Teddy’ KennedyEdward ‘Teddy’ Kennedy – US Senator from MA for 47 – US Senator from MA for 47 years.years.

Jean Ann KennedyJean Ann Kennedy – US Ambassador to Ireland. – US Ambassador to Ireland.

James Michael CurelyJames Michael Curely

Born and raised in Roxbury to Born and raised in Roxbury to Irish Immigrant parents.Irish Immigrant parents.

Succeeded John J Fitzgerald Succeeded John J Fitzgerald as Mayor of Boston. Served as Mayor of Boston. Served as mayor for 4 separate terms as mayor for 4 separate terms (totaling 12 years).(totaling 12 years).

Also served in 2 years in the Also served in 2 years in the US House of Representatives, US House of Representatives, 2 years as the Governor of 2 years as the Governor of MA, and over 1 year in Prison.MA, and over 1 year in Prison.

The Rascal KingThe Rascal King•Curely had several nicknames, including ‘The Rascal King’ and ‘The Purple Shamrock’.

•His house, known in his time as "the house with the shamrock shutters," located at 350 The Jamaicaway

•Curley is considered the inspiration for the protagonist Frank Skeffington in the novel and film The Last Hurrah.

Legacy of the MachineLegacy of the Machine

Since Curley, every Boston Mayor has been driven in a car with the license registration 576 - which were the corresponding numbers for his first, middle, and last name. James (5) Michael (7) Curley (6).

From the election of Fitzgerald, and including Curely, an Irish American was mayor of Boston from 1905 until Mayor Menino’s election in 1993.