Martin Lomasney
Encyclopedia
Martin Michael Lomasney was a Massachusetts
politician. He served as State Senator, State Representative, and Alderman. Lomasney was best remembered, however, for being the ward boss (political boss
) of Boston's Ward Eight.
Lomasney's parents and two of his siblings died when he was still a child. After his parents died Lomasney and his older brother, Joseph P. Lomasney, moved in with their aunt.
Lomasney left school when he was in the eighth grade, he then became the leader of a local Irish street gang, and he worked as a bootblack. Lomasney later befriended a local Democratic ward boss and he worked as a lamplighter and a health inspector.
recently added the warning, "never put it in e-mail."
A cocktail, the Ward 8
, was concocted at Locke-Ober
in 1898 to honor Lomasney's political ward which supposedly tipped his election to the Massachusetts General Court
.
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
politician. He served as State Senator, State Representative, and Alderman. Lomasney was best remembered, however, for being the ward boss (political boss
Political boss
A boss, in politics, is a person who wields the power over a particular political region or constituency. Bosses may dictate voting patterns, control appointments, and wield considerable influence in other political processes. They do not necessarily hold public office themselves...
) of Boston's Ward Eight.
Early life
Lomasney was born in Boston, Massachuetts to Maurice Lomasney and Mary Murray, immigrants from Ireland who had fled the potato famine.Lomasney's parents and two of his siblings died when he was still a child. After his parents died Lomasney and his older brother, Joseph P. Lomasney, moved in with their aunt.
Lomasney left school when he was in the eighth grade, he then became the leader of a local Irish street gang, and he worked as a bootblack. Lomasney later befriended a local Democratic ward boss and he worked as a lamplighter and a health inspector.
1917 Massachusetts Constitutional Convention
In 1916 the Massachusetts legislature and electorate approved a calling of a Constitutional Convention. In May 1917 Lomasney was elected to serve as a member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1917, representing the 5th Suffolk District of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.Trivia
Lomasney created a famous saying on the importance of discretion: "Never write if you can speak; never speak if you can nod; never nod if you can wink." Eliot SpitzerEliot Spitzer
Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American lawyer, former Democratic Party politician, and political commentator. He was the co-host of In the Arena, a talk-show and punditry forum broadcast on CNN until CNN cancelled his show in July of 2011...
recently added the warning, "never put it in e-mail."
A cocktail, the Ward 8
Ward 8
The Ward 8 or Ward Eight is a cocktail originating in 1898 in Boston, Massachusetts at the bar of the Gilded Age restaurant Locke-Ober.In 1898 Democratic political czar Martin M. Lomasney hoped to capture a seat in the state's legislature, the General Court of Massachusetts. Lomasney held...
, was concocted at Locke-Ober
Locke-Ober
Locke-Ober, located at 3-4 Winter Place, is the third oldest restaurant in Boston, Massachusetts, after the Union Oyster House and Durgin-Park . Locke-Ober features French cuisine and seafood.-History:...
in 1898 to honor Lomasney's political ward which supposedly tipped his election to the Massachusetts General Court
Massachusetts General Court
The Massachusetts General Court is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the Colonial Era, when this body also sat in judgment of judicial appeals cases...
.