Albert L. O'Neil
Encyclopedia
Albert L. "Dapper" O'Neil (April 12, 1920 – December 19, 2007) was an American
politician who served as a socially conservative
member of the Boston City Council
for 28 years. He served on the Boston Licensing Board and was an operative for Boston Mayor James Michael Curley
.
He graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School and attended Suffolk University Law School
, but left before graduating to serve in the United States Army
during World War II
.
O'Neil worked as a chauffeur for Massachusetts Gubernatorial candidate Endicott Peabody
. After Peabody was elected Governor of Massachusetts
, he appointed O'Neil as his patronage secretary. O'Neil's tenure in that role was short-lived. According to some reports, O'Neil was contacted by an aide to Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy and asked to provide a Kennedy supporter with a state job. O'Neil, not a fan of Kennedy's liberal policies allegedly told the staffer to "go to hell." Kennedy's office demanded ONeil's termination which was granted almost immediately by Peabody. As a face-saving measure for the ever loyal O'Neil, Peabody appointed him head of Boston's Licensing Board.[1] He was first elected to office in 1971.[2]
In a story published in The Boston Globe on November 11, 1999, when he lost his City Council election bid to Michael F. Flaherty
, Boston historian Thomas H. O'Connor said, "This is the last hurrah not merely for a man but for the politicking he represents." O'Connor went on to say that O'Neil's career endured "largely through the kinds of loyalties he built up over 30 years, from people for whom he'd done favors, and they'd never forget him, and they'd talk about him to their relatives. He built a political career on a system of local patronage."
O'Neil had a long history in supporting the right to keep and bear arms; he was famous for carrying a loaded firearm with him at all times. He openly called supporters of integration "suburban liberals" and suggested that they were "Communist dupes." He was fond of quoting the alleged saying of Nikita Khrushchev
"We will bury you from within;" reflecting his belief that integration and desegregaton were a "Communist plot against Boston. O'Neil was also a outspoken supporter of the white minority governments of South Africa and Rhodesia. At least in part because of his explicit rejection of raced-based grievance and identity politics, he was much admired and praised by Boston columnist and radio talk show host Howie Carr
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who served as a socially conservative
Social conservatism
Social Conservatism is primarily a political, and usually morally influenced, ideology that focuses on the preservation of what are seen as traditional values. Social conservatism is a form of authoritarianism often associated with the position that the federal government should have a greater role...
member of the Boston City Council
Boston City Council
The Boston City Council is the legislative branch of government for the city of Boston. It is made up of 13 members: 9 district representatives and 4 at-large members. Councilors are elected to two-year terms and there is no limit on the number of terms an individual can serve...
for 28 years. He served on the Boston Licensing Board and was an operative for Boston Mayor James Michael Curley
James Michael Curley
James Michael Curley was an American politician famous for his four terms as mayor of Boston, Massachusetts. He also served twice in the United States House of Representatives and one term as 53rd Governor of Massachusetts.-Early life:Curley's father, Michael Curley, left Oughterard, County...
.
He graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School and attended Suffolk University Law School
Suffolk University Law School
Suffolk University Law School, also known as Suffolk Law School or SULS, is one of the professional graduate schools of Suffolk University. Suffolk University Law School is a private, non-sectarian, law school located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Suffolk University Law School was founded in...
, but left before graduating to serve in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
O'Neil worked as a chauffeur for Massachusetts Gubernatorial candidate Endicott Peabody
Endicott Peabody
Endicott "Chub" Peabody was the 62nd Governor of Massachusetts from January 3, 1963 to January 7, 1965.-Early life:...
. After Peabody was elected Governor of Massachusetts
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
, he appointed O'Neil as his patronage secretary. O'Neil's tenure in that role was short-lived. According to some reports, O'Neil was contacted by an aide to Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy and asked to provide a Kennedy supporter with a state job. O'Neil, not a fan of Kennedy's liberal policies allegedly told the staffer to "go to hell." Kennedy's office demanded ONeil's termination which was granted almost immediately by Peabody. As a face-saving measure for the ever loyal O'Neil, Peabody appointed him head of Boston's Licensing Board.[1] He was first elected to office in 1971.[2]
In a story published in The Boston Globe on November 11, 1999, when he lost his City Council election bid to Michael F. Flaherty
Michael F. Flaherty
Michael F. Flaherty is a former at-large member of the Boston City Council. He is a member of the United States Democratic Party. He was elected to Boston City Council Vice President in 2001 and Boston City Council President from 2002 to 2006....
, Boston historian Thomas H. O'Connor said, "This is the last hurrah not merely for a man but for the politicking he represents." O'Connor went on to say that O'Neil's career endured "largely through the kinds of loyalties he built up over 30 years, from people for whom he'd done favors, and they'd never forget him, and they'd talk about him to their relatives. He built a political career on a system of local patronage."
O'Neil had a long history in supporting the right to keep and bear arms; he was famous for carrying a loaded firearm with him at all times. He openly called supporters of integration "suburban liberals" and suggested that they were "Communist dupes." He was fond of quoting the alleged saying of Nikita Khrushchev
Nikita Khrushchev
Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev led the Soviet Union during part of the Cold War. He served as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, and as Chairman of the Council of Ministers, or Premier, from 1958 to 1964...
"We will bury you from within;" reflecting his belief that integration and desegregaton were a "Communist plot against Boston. O'Neil was also a outspoken supporter of the white minority governments of South Africa and Rhodesia. At least in part because of his explicit rejection of raced-based grievance and identity politics, he was much admired and praised by Boston columnist and radio talk show host Howie Carr
Howie Carr
Howard Louis "Howie" Carr, Jr. is an American journalist, author, and conservative radio talk-show host based in Boston with a listening audience rooted in New England.-Radio:...
.