Charles Francis Murphy
Encyclopedia
Charles Francis "Silent Charlie" Murphy (June 20, 1858 – April 25, 1924) was a U.S. political figure, head of New York City
's Tammany Hall
.
as leader of Tammany Hall in 1902 and became the most powerful boss in Tammany's history. The son of Irish
immigrants, Murphy quit school at age fourteen and worked a series of jobs, saving money until he purchased a saloon
. He eventually amassed four such establishments and made a significant percentage of his fortune. He soon became a member of Tammany Hall, and by 1892, Murphy became the leader of Manhattan
's so-called Gas House District. His stature in the Tammany organization rose until, in September 1902, Murphy became the undisputed leader of Tammany Hall, a title he maintained until his sudden death in 1924. Murphy, a Roman Catholic, was buried at Calvary Cemetery in New York.
In contrast to longtime boss Richard Croker
, the taciturn and teetotaling
Murphy (his nickname was "silent Charlie") brought an air of respectability to Tammany Hall. He furthered this end by promoting a new crop of Tammany politicians — chief among them was Senator James J. Walker, Rockland County Chairman James Farley
and Alderman Alfred E. Smith — who would move the machine away from the methods of Boss Tweed
and toward a Progressive Era
style that rewarded the loyalty of the poor with reforms like factory safety and child labor laws. Thus, Murphy is credited with transforming Tammany into a political organization capable of drawing the votes of the ever-growing numbers of new immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe
, a feat that kept Tammany in power until the early 1930s.
was based on Charles Murphy.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
.
Biography
Murphy succeeded Lewis NixonLewis Nixon (naval architect)
Lewis Nixon I was a naval architect, shipbuilding executive, public servant, and political activist. He designed the United States' first modern battleships, and supervised the construction of its first modern submarines, all before his 40th birthday. He was briefly the leader of Tammany Hall...
as leader of Tammany Hall in 1902 and became the most powerful boss in Tammany's history. The son of Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
immigrants, Murphy quit school at age fourteen and worked a series of jobs, saving money until he purchased a saloon
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
. He eventually amassed four such establishments and made a significant percentage of his fortune. He soon became a member of Tammany Hall, and by 1892, Murphy became the leader of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
's so-called Gas House District. His stature in the Tammany organization rose until, in September 1902, Murphy became the undisputed leader of Tammany Hall, a title he maintained until his sudden death in 1924. Murphy, a Roman Catholic, was buried at Calvary Cemetery in New York.
In contrast to longtime boss Richard Croker
Richard Croker
Richard Croker, Sr. was an American politician, a leader of New York City's Tammany Hall.-Biography:...
, the taciturn and teetotaling
Teetotalism
Teetotalism refers to either the practice of or the promotion of complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages. A person who practices teetotalism is called a teetotaler or is simply said to be teetotal...
Murphy (his nickname was "silent Charlie") brought an air of respectability to Tammany Hall. He furthered this end by promoting a new crop of Tammany politicians — chief among them was Senator James J. Walker, Rockland County Chairman James Farley
James Farley
James Aloysius Farley was the first Irish Catholic politician in American history to achieve success on a national level, serving as Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and as Postmaster General simultaneously under the first two...
and Alderman Alfred E. Smith — who would move the machine away from the methods of Boss Tweed
Boss Tweed
William Magear Tweed – often erroneously referred to as William Marcy Tweed , and widely known as "Boss" Tweed – was an American politician most notable for being the "boss" of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in the politics of 19th century...
and toward a Progressive Era
Progressive Era
The Progressive Era in the United States was a period of social activism and political reform that flourished from the 1890s to the 1920s. One main goal of the Progressive movement was purification of government, as Progressives tried to eliminate corruption by exposing and undercutting political...
style that rewarded the loyalty of the poor with reforms like factory safety and child labor laws. Thus, Murphy is credited with transforming Tammany into a political organization capable of drawing the votes of the ever-growing numbers of new immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, a feat that kept Tammany in power until the early 1930s.
In popular culture
The character Jim Gettys in Citizen KaneCitizen Kane
Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film, directed by and starring Orson Welles. Many critics consider it the greatest American film of all time, especially for its innovative cinematography, music and narrative structure. Citizen Kane was Welles' first feature film...
was based on Charles Murphy.
Further reading
- Weiss, Nancy Joan. Charles Francis Murphy, 1858-1924: Respectability and Responsibility in Tammany Politics. Smith College, 1968.