Richard Daley Boss Analysis

From the moment Richard Daley took residence on fifth floor of City Hall, Chicago became more than just a stronghold for the democratic political machine. It became Daley’s Chicago. It was Daley, not the machine who so successfully reestablished the patronage system. It was Daley who, for the next twenty-one years, made it an impossible task for a republican opponent to take the mayoral seat. Through the book, Boss by Mike Royko, evidence shows that Daley’s reign as mayor closely resembles that of a competitive authoritarian state. Though a staunch democrat, Daley’s abuses of state power, civil liberties, and the reasonable expectations of a level playing field for opponents keep Daley from placing under a purely democratic category. Daley’s

A city that didn’t need a civil rights movement, Richard Daley was not the man to go to, for civil rights reform. Royko mentions multiple times Daley’s distain for the blacks. A staunch catholic, not even the nuns or priests he held in high regard could sway his opinion on reform (140). He willfully ignored police brutality of all races/ethnicities, not white, except when he was forced to, in the face of Martin Luther Kings’ celebrity. That being said, Daley did need the blacks. He needed their votes and for that he needed them to stay where they were, “he was maintaining black dependency – always a tenant never an owner, not quite a citizen” (148). No real power, in constant poverty, where they could not make too much noise. When King came to Chicago, Royko says of the briefing he received on Daley, that “he was a despot, and that he ruled with an iron hand” (151). King was not prepared for the special brand of placation that was Richard Daley. Daley would give his word that there would be change, he would promise you whatever you were looking for, as long as you didn’t disrespect him. Once you left satisfied with Daley’s cooperation, and his willingness to see your point of view, he would carry on exactly as he had before. Doing things the Richard Daley way. In that regard he did not bow to the will of anyone. He did things only as he wanted, and no one could change his goals. They could only be diverted

Daley would do anything to keep his opponents from being able to gain ground. Using both the friends he had made, and the fear he inspired to keep his opponents from being able to catch up to him in the polls. His opponents never had an equal chance. Daley had access to more money through the machine than his opponents could ever raise individually. If they were from the Republican Party they couldn’t turn to their own members because anyone with money knew too contribute to the machine if they wanted to gain access to Daley’s clout (75). With the backing of the machine Daley could effectively control a certain number of votes, along with both election and city officials (77). Daley knew how to get things done. When Kennelly attempted to go against him. Daley made sure his name was first on the ballot by going in through the back door of the clerk’s office (90-91). When Adamowski attempted to usurp him, Daley went on the offensive and through others damaging documents regarding Adamowski use of the “contingency fund” (130). Daley relied on his control of the press stations and their viciousness to knock Adamowski out of the running. All while bolstering Daley’s own public image. Daley was a man of action and the experiences he gained in his rise to the top taught him the importance of control. Others could try to take his seat but as long as Daley maintained a stringent leash on who worked