Richard J Daley

A detailed Summary of Richard J Daley

Boss, Richard J. Daley of Chicago written by Mike Royko depicts the life of Richard J. Daley and his career as the leading political influence in the city of Chicago. Considered by many as the last of the true "Bosses" Daley represented all that was considered machine politics. During his twenty-year reign as Mayor extensive urban expansion, political extortion, and a clear disregard for social justice characterize his administration. Royko clearly presents Daley's performance as Mayor in an objective perspective identifying his accomplishments as well as his weaknesses. He provides the reader a record of Richard J. Daley the person, the politician, the Mayor and the corruption that plagued his political machine.

Richard was born on May 15, 1902 to Lillian and Michael Daley. He was raised in a flat on 3602 South Lowe in the segregated neighborhood of Bridgeport, on the south side of Chicago. This simple Irish community made up of mostly blue-collar workers exhibited all the characteristics of a small town with "taverns, the funeral parlor, the bakery..." (31). Chicago was home to a diverse collection of ethnic cultures: English, Irish Protestants, Polish, Italian, Jewish and African American.

reluctance to handle racial segregation in housing and in Chicago's public school system, his focus on big business, and later in his career the measures taken against demonstrators during the Democratic National Convention in 1968 are just a few of the many social issues mentioned by Royko. According to Royko, Daley's first term in office as mayor had little impact on changing the political or social environment in Chicago. Royko stated "The syndicate was still putting bodies in sewers...Public transportation was declining" (104) and city officials were still operating under a blanket of corruption. This lack of change did not deter Daley from winning his second term as Mayor in 1959. Daley's victory celebration did not last long. Shortly after the election he encountered accusations of scandal within his administration brought about by Benjamin Adamowski. Royko explained Daley's approach in managing the scandals by attempting "to look innocent and to say his office had nothin!

the raid was over they had the guns, and two panther leaders were dead...Fred Hampton...and Mark Clark..." (211).

g at all to do with such things." (115). This method of denial seem to accomplish keeping Daley himself out of the line of fire at first. However, the Summerdale Scandal involving corruption of the police department proved too much for the public to accept. The people directed the responsibility for the incident directly at Daley and his administration. He was forced to make drastic changes in the police force in an effort to retain his power. Remarkably, Daley's decision to hire Orlando W. Wilson, a professor at the University of California, turned this crisis situation to his advantage just in time for November elections. It his instinct and creativity in manipulating the resources of his political machine that set him apart from others in politics. Royko quotes Alderman Seymour Simon as saying " The amazing thing about the police scandal, is the way Daley turned it to his own advantage."(123). Further,

Royko's representation of Richard J. Daley provides his readers an impartial glimpse into the obscure life of a true political power. Daley's genius in gaining control as mayor of Chicago and then sustaining it from 1955 to 1976 characterizes his tenacity as politician. His explicit understanding of machine politics and use of patro

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Approximate Word count = 1580
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Politics