Customer Reviews

Grafters and Goo Goos: Corruption and Reform in Chicago, 1833-2003

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This is a fairly good survey of the political landscape in the City of Chicago by a veteran journalist. It tries to address the perennial question, to paraphrase Alderman Mathias "Paddy" Bauler, of "Why ain't Chicago ready for reform?"

The book is concerned with political movements and the efforts of progressives and reformers to do battle with boodlers and spoilsmen. In the political language of Chicago, good government types are derided as "goo goos" for their infantile naivete. As Merriner points out, several successful politicins had to make it clear to the precinct workers that they were not reformers in order to secure votes from party regulars.

Given the number of candidates and elections to be treated, there are more than a few errors as to dates. For example, Big Bill Thompson was not elected alderman in 1902. He was elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners that year. Similarly, Thompson was the sponsor of a reception for expelled US Senator Billy Lorimer, but not while serving as mayor. The welcome home rally occurred earlier. State's Attorney John Wayman did not resign his office in 1912. He chose to run for governor rather than to seek reelection as prosecutor and he lost the Republican nomination to the incumbent governor, Charles S. Deneen in 1912. Wayman left office upon the expiration of his term.

To quote Tip O'Neill, "All politics is local." Merriner does a respectably good job of trying to explain the political culture that is Chicago. The reform elements and progressives fought the good fight, but were outflanked by the grafters at almost every turn. The author is to be complimented for analyzing reams of archival materials, including meeting minutes, reports and correspondence from numerous civic organizations.

This book is an entertaining primer on practical politics in the City of Big Shoulders. It is more fun than stuffing a ballot box and less dangerous than serving as an election judge in one of the river wards.

The story of US government and politics is full of good guys, bad guys and compromises. Merriner's book describes those connections as they relate to Chicago, Illinois. His book is a great primer for understanding the Illinois culture of corruption but it is also a story that is comparable to the history of all 50 states. "Grafters and Goo Goos" makes a great bookshelf companion to "One Hundred Percent Guilty, How and Insider Links the Death of Six Children to the Politics of Illinois Convicted Governor George Ryan" also available on amazon.