William M. Tweed

A detailed Summary of William M. Tweed

Did William M. Tweed Corrupt Post-Civil War New York? Alexander B. Callow, Jr., "The Tweed Ring" vs. Leo Hershkowitz, "Tweed's New York: Another Look."

Alexander B. Callow insists that Tweed exercised sinister influence over the city and state governments. Callow, a professor of history, wrote a book about William Tweed and was published in 1966. Callow tries to prove that Tweed corrupted the city's government by pay offs, kick-backs and other forms of graft. Callow defines a ring as something that:

encircles enough influential men in the organization of each party to control the action of both party machines; men who in public push to extremes the abstract ideas of their respective parties, while they secretly join their hands in schemes for personal power and profit.

Callow shows evidence that Tweed was head of a ring that stole millions, if not hundreds of millions of dollars through the corruption of the state and local governments.

In 1977, professor of history Leo Hershkowitz, wrote a book about William Tweed and argues that the Tweed "Ring" is a myth. Hershkowitz believes that Tweed was an easy target and Tweed's image was fabricated by journalists and cartoonists to sell newspapers and magazines. Tweed, he

Callow and Hershkowitz differ greatly on their stand on Tweed. Callow believes that Tweed was a heartless, corrupt politician. Hershkowitz believes that Tweed was just the target of public and personal anguish. Tweed brought more good than bad to New York City and Tweed does not deserve the reputation that he has. He admits Tweed was no saint but says Tweed was not the head of a monolithic conspiracy against the people. Instead, Tweed brought about change and reform. The many immigrants who lived in New York needed someone who would listen to them, understand them and fight for their rights. New York was not the only city in the late 1800's that was considered corrupt. The city and nation were spending hundreds of millions of dollars, and graft was taking place all over the country.

claims, was a devoted public servant for over twenty years. He also believes that New York's diversity of peoples and interests made it impossible for one person to control the political realm to the extent that Tweed's critics claimed. Hershkowitz points out that neither Tweed nor any of his members within the ring, were ever convicted of graft of theft.

Hershkowitz, disagrees with Callow and defends Tweed. Hershkowitz points out that Tweed was elected as a state senator in 1867. Tweed also spent over twenty years in public service from fireman, alderman to member of the Board of Education. Tweed represented interest in New York's welfare by opening schools, museums, hospitals, building the Brooklyn Bridge and creating city parks. If Tweed was so corrupt and undeserving to be in the public eye, Hershkowitz asks, why did citizens of New York elect him as a senator?

I think both writers are too one sided on this issue. If we drop the issue of corruption, and look at what Tweed did for the city of New York, it would be his city. Tweed listened, and got welfare programs for the many divers immigrants of the city. I thin

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Category: History