Chester's "Boss John" a look back at old time polictics

 

The 400 block of Edgmont Ave. now Avenue of the States 100 years ago. The Washington House and Theatre.

 

The Start of "Boss John"

 

Note : This article from 1919 talks about the start of McClureism and old time politics

 

 

Why is one John J. McClure of Chester so ready to spend thousands of dollars at 3 each municipal election to place in office the candidates he selects to control City Council, or the Board of Education, or county offices?  Why does this one man McClure, who inherited a fortune and a political Machine that had been built and imposed upon this community – why does he have such extraordinary interest in the exercise of one-man dominancy over public affairs?

                First, be it understood, that McClure is head of the Chester Constructing and Contracting Company, a legitimate business in itself.  But it can readily be seen that through his political Machine of a majority vote in Council, or it’s the School Board, for example, when opportunity comes for the awarding of contracts for the erection of municipal structures or of school buildings, McClure’s firm is in the front seat.  Take that big $400,000 “annex” to the High School “plum” about finished, McClure and his contracting firm did not have to fear contractors in competition.  The outsiders know that McClure had “hold” over a majority of office holders in public offices, and that his contracting firm could largely monopolize whatever contracts are given out.  Likewise, does the “hold” of McClure, through his political Machine, allow him to dictate the appointments of school superintendents, teachers and other salaried positions.  The self-profit to John J. McClure is a great consideration through being a political Boss, and he enriches himself and his henchmen besides in the division of remunerative public offices.  The taxpayers put up the money.

                Then there is another local contracting firm in which McClure, the political Machine Boss is alleged to have deep concern and interest – that of the American Paving Company.  For, in a rapidly-growing city like Chester, there are many thousands of dollars spent each year for new paving and street repairs, and McClure has an influence over his responsive followers in public office that only requires him to pull the strings to afford him satisfactory results from paving contract awards.  This American Paving Company was incorporated under the laws of Delaware a little more than a year ago, on January 5, 1918, with an authorized capital of $10,000, and from commercial reports it is learned that this local paving enterprise claimed to have contracts worth $250,000.  Former Councilman Benjamin D. Wright, a reputed right bower of John J. McClure in politics (and who was reported promised the Mayoralty candidacy this year by McClure) is president of this paving company with Hiram Aaron, secretary, and James McVittle, treasurer, the latter two being referred to as “employees,” but employees of what or of whom was not stated in the commercial report made one year ago.  This report also disclosed that “authorities consulted stated that several local politicians are identified with this company who have large resources.”  It is only possible, of course, that John J. McClure, the political Machine Boss, might be one of the aforesaid politicians of “large resources.”  In fact, the commercial agency was informed by an officer of this concern that there are other stockholders in the American Paving Company, established for the securing of paving and construction contracts in this city of Chester, but modesty forbade giving the names of the other stockholders.

                Therefore, with one contracting and construction company in one hand, and the cooperative paving company of Benjamin D. Wright in the other hand, it may be clear to the innocent citizens of Chester and Delaware County why John J. McClure is not philanthropically engaged in a Kaiser-like pursuit of politics and public offices in this rich county and city.  To obtain this political control, however, 

John J. McClure, well knows that his power is not attained through appeals to the intelligent and self-owned voters for the election of the candidates he “slates” for public office, but to the shameful contrary, by doling out official places to candidates ready to bow to his will; by his followers at elections directly or indirectly purchasing the votes of whites or blacks in needy circumstances, or who are open to the bribe money to sell their franchise right to this Machine of McClureism.  In brief, it is from the votes of the slum districts and wards of which, in which reside irresponsible voters with itching palms that McClure henchmen depend to secure the McClure majority vote, and thereby destroy the highest principles of this government, which hopes for free elections.

                Does the thought not occur to John J. McClure, however, the incidental to this political Machine method of surreptitiously pulling his way a large portion of public expenditures, and the illegitimate control of public offices and the incumbents, this misused power stands a continuous menace and evil to a whole community?  That it is a reproach on this body politic in defiance of decent citizenship, and that thereby McClure and his pitiable following bring into question their claim to the precious right of good citizenship?  If any man essays to destroy the freedom and purity of elections, upon which the very foundation of this republic stands, what manner of citizen is he, and is he an enemy or friend to the community in which he resides?  Ill-gotten gains through political power profiteth no man, when such pursuit compels the pointing of the finger of reproach from every worthy citizen toward such offenders.

                Kaiserlike domination over a world, as former Emperor Wilhelm sought, or Kaiserlike hold over a county and city, as the notorious local Machine exercises in Delaware County, are not popular these days, and John J. McClure would do well to give sober second thought to that Biblical phrase, “What profiteth it a man if he gain the whole world” (or a county politically to dominate), etc.  There may be dollars and dollars in such illegitimate pursuit in politics, but the cost eventually to those who thus transgress is too great.  Think well, John J. McClure and your Machine following.