Richard Daley Essays -- Biography Biographies Essays

Richard DaleyBoss, Richard J. Daley of Chicago written by Mike Royko depicts the support of Richard J. Daley and his charge as the leading political learn in the city of Chicago. Considered by many as the last of the true Bosses Daley represented all that was considered railway car politics. During his twenty-year reign as city manager extensive urban expansion, political extortion, and a clear disregard for social justice characterize his administration. Royko clearly presents Daleys performance as Mayor in an objective perspective identifying his accomplishments as well as his weaknesses. He provides the reader a record of Richard J. Daley the person, the politician, the Mayor and the corruption that plagued his political machine.Richard was born on May 15, 1902 to Lillian and Michael Daley. He was raised(a) in a flat on 3602 South Lowe in the unintegrated neighborhood of Bridgeport, on the south side of Chicago. This simple Irish lodge made up of mostly blue-collar workers e xhibited all the characteristics of a clarified town with taverns, the funeral parlor, the bakery (31). Chicago was home to a diverse assembly of ethnic cultures English, Irish Protestants, Polish, Italian, Jewish and African American. It is this diversity of community and the meshing persistent along the boundaries of racial differences, which Royko suggests, carved Daleys resilient personality. His father provided for the family by working as sheet-metal worker, while his mother volunteered at the local Church. info regarding his childhood is limited, except for the fact that it was typical and happy (33). His early teaching included a strict curriculum provided by the nuns at birthing Church and part-time jobs selling papers. After completing elementary he continued his education at De La Salle Institute, a three-year commercial senior high school school. His education focused on developing office skills such as typing and bookkeeping. After graduating in June of 1919, Royk o mentions Daleys questionable involvement in the south side race riots as a member of the Hamburg kind and Athletic Club. Considered as the worst race riots in the citys history loss 15 whites and 23 blacks dead, 178 whites and 342 blacks injured. About one thousand homes were burned (36). Daley refused to serve to questions regarding his involvement in the rioting, but he could not deny, as Royko po... ... take by Edward Hanrahan raided a Black Panther apartment in pursuit of unregistered guns. When the raid was over they had the guns, and two panther leaders were deadFred Hamptonand Mark Clark (211). Roykos representation of Richard J. Daley provides his readers an impartial glimpse into the obscure life of a true political function. Daleys genius in gaining retard as mayor of Chicago and then sustaining it from 1955 to 1976 characterizes his tenacity as politician. His manifest understanding of machine politics and use of patronage centralized the power of his adminis tration. On one hand his constituents admire him for his contribution toward urban expansion, influence on the Democratic Party, and patronage of friends and family. On the other hand he is resented for his destruction of homes in the name of progress, corruption of local government, and absolute ruler over his city. Royko concludes his colorful story on Richard Daley in quoting Alderman Paddy Bauler in his avouchment after Daley was first elected in 1995 as axiom Chicago aint ready for reform yet, (214). Royko completes Baulers statement as saying And in 1970, ready or not, it wasnt acquiring any.(214)