Joseph Bermel
Encyclopedia
Joseph Bermel was a Democratic
politician from Queens, New York, USA. He is best known for resigning from the post of Borough President
for his involvement in a corruption scandal, upon which he fled the country in 1908.
Bermel was born in Brooklyn, but by 1882 he had moved to Middle Village in Queens and established a stone cutting
business, making cemetery monument
s. He quickly became involved in politics, and in the 1890s was town supervisor
in Newtown. When Queens consolidated with New York City in 1898, Bermel pursued appointments at the borough level. He became an ally of early machine politician Joseph Cassidy
and served as his Commissioner of Public Works when Cassidy was elected Borough President
.
In 1905, Cassidy was seeking a third term as Borough President, but Bermel had his own plans for the office. He announced his own candidacy, running on a fusion
ticket under the Republican
and Independence League parties. He successfully beat his former boss and became Borough President in 1906, vowing to fight "graft in every form."
Bermel proved to be almost as effective as Cassidy in wielding political power, and was quickly suspected of corruption
. Bermel was largely responsible for the city's purchase of land for the creation of Kissena Park
in Flushing. The city paid much more than fair market value for the property, which was held by friends of Bermel. Charges were referred to the Governor
Charles Evans Hughes
in 1908 and a grand jury
was convened.
Bermel was scheduled to give testimony in the case on May 1, but he resigned as borough president on April 30. It was rumored that he was planning to flee the country the following day on the ocean liner Slavonia, so the district attorney served a subpoena requiring him to testify. He gave testimony in the morning, but was given permission to leave upon his promise to return by 2 o'clock that afternoon at the courthouse in Long Island City
. By 12:02 pm, an hour after he promised to return, he was at the docks boarding the ship and heading for Rome. In his parting statement to the press, he said "I have nothing to say except to leave good luck for my friends and enemies alike."
On August 4, 1908, just three months after he fled to Europe, Bermel returned to New York. The Queens District Attorney declared that "nothing of a criminal nature was pending" against Bermel. Bermel never faced charges stemming from his time in office. He died in Carlsbad, Czechoslovakia
in 1921.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician from Queens, New York, USA. He is best known for resigning from the post of Borough President
Borough president
Borough President is an elective office in each of the five boroughs of New York City.-Reasons for establishment:...
for his involvement in a corruption scandal, upon which he fled the country in 1908.
Bermel was born in Brooklyn, but by 1882 he had moved to Middle Village in Queens and established a stone cutting
Stonemasonry
The craft of stonemasonry has existed since the dawn of civilization - creating buildings, structures, and sculpture using stone from the earth. These materials have been used to construct many of the long-lasting, ancient monuments, artifacts, cathedrals, and cities in a wide variety of cultures...
business, making cemetery monument
Headstone
A headstone, tombstone, or gravestone is a marker, usually stone, that is placed over a grave. In most cases they have the deceased's name, date of birth, and date of death inscribed on them, along with a personal message, or prayer.- Use :...
s. He quickly became involved in politics, and in the 1890s was town supervisor
Town supervisor
Town Supervisor is an elective legislative position in New York towns. Supervisors sit on the town board, where they preside over town board meetings and vote on all matters with no more legal weight than that of any other board member .Towns may adopt local laws that allow them to provide for an...
in Newtown. When Queens consolidated with New York City in 1898, Bermel pursued appointments at the borough level. He became an ally of early machine politician Joseph Cassidy
Joseph Cassidy (politician)
Joseph Cassidy , sometimes known as "Curley Joe," was a Democratic politician from Queens, New York City. He wielded a large amount of political power in the early 1900s, although he was frequently accused of abusing this power....
and served as his Commissioner of Public Works when Cassidy was elected Borough President
Borough president
Borough President is an elective office in each of the five boroughs of New York City.-Reasons for establishment:...
.
In 1905, Cassidy was seeking a third term as Borough President, but Bermel had his own plans for the office. He announced his own candidacy, running on a fusion
Electoral fusion
Electoral fusion is an arrangement where two or more political parties on a ballot list the same candidate, pooling the votes for that candidate...
ticket under the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and Independence League parties. He successfully beat his former boss and became Borough President in 1906, vowing to fight "graft in every form."
Bermel proved to be almost as effective as Cassidy in wielding political power, and was quickly suspected of corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
. Bermel was largely responsible for the city's purchase of land for the creation of Kissena Park
Kissena Park
Kissena Park is a large park located in the neighborhood of Flushing in the New York City borough of Queens, along Kissena Creek which formerly flowed into the Flushing River. It is bordered on the west by Kissena Boulevard; on the north by Rose, Oak, Underhill, and Lithonia Avenues; on the east...
in Flushing. The city paid much more than fair market value for the property, which was held by friends of Bermel. Charges were referred to the Governor
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
Charles Evans Hughes
Charles Evans Hughes
Charles Evans Hughes, Sr. was an American statesman, lawyer and Republican politician from New York. He served as the 36th Governor of New York , Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States , United States Secretary of State , a judge on the Court of International Justice , and...
in 1908 and a grand jury
Grand jury
A grand jury is a type of jury that determines whether a criminal indictment will issue. Currently, only the United States retains grand juries, although some other common law jurisdictions formerly employed them, and most other jurisdictions employ some other type of preliminary hearing...
was convened.
Bermel was scheduled to give testimony in the case on May 1, but he resigned as borough president on April 30. It was rumored that he was planning to flee the country the following day on the ocean liner Slavonia, so the district attorney served a subpoena requiring him to testify. He gave testimony in the morning, but was given permission to leave upon his promise to return by 2 o'clock that afternoon at the courthouse in Long Island City
Long Island City Courthouse Complex
The Long Island City Courthouse is located at 25-10 Court Square in Long Island City, Queens, in New York City. It formerly housed Criminal Court, County Court, the District Attorney staff, and the county sheriff's office. Today the Courthouse is another home to the Civil Term of Supreme Court,...
. By 12:02 pm, an hour after he promised to return, he was at the docks boarding the ship and heading for Rome. In his parting statement to the press, he said "I have nothing to say except to leave good luck for my friends and enemies alike."
On August 4, 1908, just three months after he fled to Europe, Bermel returned to New York. The Queens District Attorney declared that "nothing of a criminal nature was pending" against Bermel. Bermel never faced charges stemming from his time in office. He died in Carlsbad, Czechoslovakia
Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary is a spa city situated in western Bohemia, Czech Republic, on the confluence of the rivers Ohře and Teplá, approximately west of Prague . It is named after King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who founded the city in 1370...
in 1921.