Chapter 142 Tammany Hall
May 2, 2023 Author: Yue Shang Xintou
Later that day.
Jimmy Walker issued a written statement, resigning from the office of mayor of New York City.
In his statement, Walker also raised three reasons to protest the investigation against him: first, he was prohibited from confronting and cross-examining witnesses; second, two-thirds of the charges were related to "old matters" from his first term and decisions made by the previous mayor; and third, some of the alleged offenses were unrelated to public affairs, being merely his personal affairs.
After his resignation, Walker himself even left the Democratic Party and fled to Europe.
This move not only allowed him to evade the committee's investigation but also temporarily staunched the bleeding for the Democratic Party's affected electoral prospects.
As for why a mayor who should have been under investigation could leave New York so easily, it was evident that other forces were intervening behind the scenes.
With Walker's departure, Deputy Mayor John Patrick O'Brien temporarily assumed the office of mayor, becoming the 98th mayor of New York City.
However, everyone knew that John was unimportant; he was merely a transitional mayor.
What truly drew attention was the 99th mayoral election, set to take place two years later, in 1934.
Due to the bribery scandal of former Mayor Jimmy Walker, the Democratic Party had clearly lost its advantage in the race for this position.
However, this did not mean the Republican Party could afford to be complacent.
...
"...Voters often judge whether the people they elect are loyal or competent based on a single recent event, not everything that has happened over a longer period."
West 52nd Street, inside the 21 Club.
Colin savored the evening's cream cheese-baked lobster, speaking to LaGuardia across from him.
"Without a doubt, our Mayor Jimmy Walker betrayed the voters."
Taking a bite of the rich, cheese-flavored lobster from his plate, LaGuardia wiped his mouth with a napkin. He then took a sip of the black tea beside him, cutting through the richness of the cream cheese, and replied to Colin.
"So, he received his due punishment, losing the voters' trust and his own political career."
Besides the secret wine cellar in the basement, the 21 Club also offered regular dining services.
The two were currently in the restaurant on the club's first floor.
Although it didn't serve alcohol like the speakeasy downstairs, it was a highly suitable place for serious discussions.
For example, the upcoming New York mayoral election.
"Is that really a punishment?"
Putting down his knife and fork, Colin glanced at LaGuardia and asked in return.
In Colin's view, resigning as mayor and fleeing to Europe could hardly be called a punishment.
Everything Jimmy Walker had done during The Great Depression, the repercussions of his corruption, was far from being offset by a mere "punishment."
"..."
Faced with Colin's questioning, LaGuardia fell silent for a moment before answering.
"This is politics."
"In fact, we all know that Jimmy Walker is just the tip of the iceberg. Tammany Hall is the key to the rampant corruption in New York City."
As he spoke, LaGuardia handed a document to Colin. "This is the latest findings from the Hofstadter Special Investigation Committee."
"Of course, much of it is only preliminary investigation. Walker's departure was very sudden; even the committee only learned the news afterward. Because of the departure of this key figure, many investigations have hit a dead end. Plus, with the Presidential Election approaching, the state legislature is already inclined to temporarily shelve the investigation for now..."
Upon hearing this, Colin lowered his head and glanced at the contents of the document.
"...Information suggests that Tammany Hall had brief contact with Jimmy Walker during his second re-election campaign. At the time, Walker was not favored by voters in the early stages of the campaign. It wasn't until a vicious crime occurred in New York City that then-Mayor Walker's calm judgment and swift, decisive actions in the immediate aftermath won the support of the voters, and only then successfully secured re-election."
Jimmy Walker's re-election had occurred before Colin transmigrated, so he was unaware of the details.
From the investigation materials provided by LaGuardia, it was clear that the criminal incident that had propelled Jimmy Walker to re-election was riddled with suspicious circumstances and had strong ties to Tammany Hall.
In fact, according to later investigations, in certain famous criminal cases, evidence already indicated that Tammany Hall colluded with criminal gangs to control New York, such as in the previous Charles Becker case.
On the surface, it was just a rather controversial case, with the defendant, Charles Becker, being the first police officer executed in American history.
He was reported for severe corruption, but later evidence revealed that Charles Becker had instigated members of the Jewish Gangs to shoot and kill the person who reported him, and the Jewish Gangs acting under Charles's orders had connections with Tammany Hall. Moreover, criminal incidents involving some members of the Jewish Gangs were often dismissed by the New York City Police Department in ways that contradicted the facts.
"Tammany Hall won't let this go. Perhaps you should be a little more careful for a while, or hire a bodyguard to protect you."
The Messenger's exposé of the mayor's scandal had not only targeted Jimmy Walker but had also caused serious trouble for Tammany Hall.
To distance themselves from suspicion, Tammany Hall had been forced to abandon many of the relationships they maintained within the upper echelons of the City Government.
This included pulling major strings to send Jimmy Walker to Europe, far from the political vortex of New York City.
Swallowing the last piece of lobster meat from his plate, LaGuardia warned Colin.
"I'm always careful."
Compared to the Anti-World, although public safety during The Great Depression was equally bad, it was at least not as dangerous.
Especially for Colin.
Seeing Colin's confident expression, LaGuardia nodded, saying no more.
Immediately after, their conversation shifted from New York City's problems to a larger topic—the Presidential Election.
According to internal news from the Republican Party, Hoover's nomination was no longer in doubt.
In fact, there had never been a case where a sitting president seeking re-election was prevented from running for re-election.
Regarding Hoover's nomination, even a Republican congressman like LaGuardia expressed some pessimism.
The Republican Party had been in power for nearly twelve years, and the onset of The Great Depression had left every Republican at a loss; they had no idea how to deal with it all.
"We might well lose the presidency."
Inside the 21 Club, LaGuardia voiced his concerns.
Even a Republican congressman like him didn't think Hoover had done a very good job.
The man was simply the worst president the Republican Party has had since its founding.
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