George W. Plunkitt

Before then when a party won, its workers got everything in sight. That was somethin’ to make a man patriotic. <small>p. 14</small>

The politicians who make a lastin’ success in politics are the men who are always loyal to their friends, even up to the gate of State prison, if necessary; men who keep their promises and never lie. <small>p. 35</small>

What’s the use of havin’ ill-smellin’ gashouses if there’s no votes in them? <small>p. 62</small>

Brought up in Tammany Hall, he has learned how to reach the hearts of the great mass of voters. He does not bother about reaching their heads. It is his belief that arguments and campaign literature have never gained votes. <small>p. 91</small>

Men ain’t in politics for nothin’. They want to get somethin’ out of it. <small>p. 37</small>

Big Tim made money out of liquor—sellin’ it to other people. That’s the only way to get good out of liquor. <small>p. 79</small>

The Raines liquor law is infamous. It takes away nearly all the profits of the saloonkeepers, and then turns in a large part of the money to the State treasury to relieve the hayseeds from taxes. <small>p. 84</small>

I know that the civil service humbug is stuck into the constitution, too, but, as Tim Campbell said: “What’s the constitution among friends?” <small>p. 13</small>

I think every man would be better off if he didn’t take any intoxicatin’ drink at all, but as men will drink, they ought to have good stuff without impoverishin’ themselves by goin’ to fancy places and without riskin’ death by goin’ to poor places. <small>p. 86</small>

The Wall Street banker thinks it shameful to raise a department clerk’s salary from $1500 to $1800 a year, but every man who draws a salary himself says: “That’s all right. I wish it was me.” And he feels very much like votin’ the Tammany ticket on election day, just out of sympathy. <small>p. 6</small>

The time is comin’ and though I’m no youngster, I may see it, when New York City will break away from the State and become a state itself. <small>p. 65</small>

The boys and men don’t get excited any more when they see a United States flag or hear “The Star-Spangled Banner.” They don’t care no more for firecrackers on the Fourth of July. And why should they? What is there in it for them? <small>p. 14</small>

What did the people mean when they voted for Tammany? What is representative government, anyhow? Is it all a fake that this is a government of the people, by the people and for the people? If it isn't a fake, then why isn't the people's voice obeyed and Tammany men put in all the offices? <small>p. 12</small>

There’s always a certain number of suckers and a certain number of men lookin’ for a chance to take them in, and the suckers are sure to be took one way or another. It’s the everlastin’ law of demand and supply. <small>p. 60</small>

You can’t study human nature in books. Books is a hindrance more than anything else. <small>p. 25</small>