Civil service employees killed a reform mayor’s re-election by voting as a bloc

Evidence

Unfortunately for his hopes, however, 1917 was an election year and John Purroy Mitchel wanted to be re-elected—and, with 50,000 civil service employees infuriated by Moses’ proposals, Tammany nominee John F. “Red Mike” Hylan was making them a major campaign issue. Tammany wanted City Hall back and Tammany speakers were telling mass meetings of city employees, “We do not believe we should have so many efficiency experts”—and the employees were jumping to their feet and bellowing in reply, “A new mayor! A new mayor!” When Moses’ system came up before the Board of Estimate, Mitchel was silent. The system was not adopted. — Robert A. Caro, The Power Broker, 369

Categorization

• XREF: Caro’s theme of the power of organized bureaucrats parallels his later account of the city’s vested interests; also evokes the enduring lesson that mobilized public employees can veto reform.
• SHARE: For a New York or public-administration buff: Tammany won back City Hall in 1917 largely by mobilizing 50,000 angry civil service workers.