Shame of the Cities
Steffens believed “In all the cities, the better classes – the business men – are the sources of corruption.” With this idea in place, Steffens concluded that the common people “deplores our politics and lauds our business,” and therefore desired more businessmen in government. However, Steffens believed the average American failed to recognize the sole avaricious goal of big business: generating self-profit. Hence, in 1892, Steffens joined the New York Evening Post and The Commercial Advertiser for a source of income and utilized his abilities as a journalist to capture the attention of the American public. Lincoln was captivated by the web of corruption which involved not only the police departments, but also the municipal governments, which developed into a penchant for exposing government and corporate corruption.
In 1902, Samuel McClure recruited Steffens to join McClure’s Magazine which specialized in muckraking. After only being editor for four months, Steffens was kicked out of the office by McClure and told to find out what was happening with the country. Thus, Steffens became renowned for the series known as The Shame of the Cities.
The Shame of St. Louis
In McClure's 1902 October issue, Steffens wrote "Tweed Days in St. Louis," considered to be the first muckraking article, which detailed the corruption and cruelty of urban politics.
The writing to the left says:
Bribery was a joke. A newspaper reporter overheard this conversation one evening in the corridor of the City Hall: “Ah there, my boodler!” said Mr. Delegate. “Ah there, my boodler!” said Mr. Delegate. “Stay there, my grafter!” replied Mr. Councilman. “Can you lend me a hundred for a day or two?” “Not at present. But I can spare it if the Z—- bill goes through to-night. Meet me at F—-'s later.” “All right, my jailbird; I’ll be there.” The blackest years were 1898, 1899, and 1900. Foreign corporations came into the city to share in its despoilation, and home industries were driven out by blackmail. Franchises worth millions were granted without one cent of cash to the city, and with provision for only the smallest future payment; several companies which refused to pay blackmail had to leave; citizens were robbed more and more boldly; pay-rolls were padded with the names of non-existent persons; work on public improvements was neglected, while money for them went to the boodlers. |
The article from above details the corruptness in St. Louis. Many of the higher-ups were easily bribed, businesses were being blackmailed and the innocent civilians were helpless against these rich, wealthy businessmen. Steffens also went to uncover corruptness in the Fourth Police District. The horrific trafficking of girls existed and all this corruption was the result of one cause -- bribes. Despite all the corruption existing in St. Louis, there was one man willing to fight: Joseph W. Folk. With his position as a civil lawyer, Folk gained a reputation while representing the workers during the St. Louis Streetcar Strike of 1900. Soon Steffens joined and wrote about the changes and reforms brought upon in St. Louis.
The Shame of Minneapolis
After the Shame of St. Louis proved successful, Steffens moved on to write many other articles all modeled after the template of "Shame of (insert city name)."
The Shame of Minneapolis exposes the corrupt administration of Mayor Albert Alonzo "Doc" Ames (A. A. Ames). Steffens opens the article with " Whenever anything extraordinary is done in American municipal politics, whether for good or for evil, you can trace it almost invariably to one man," which can refer two two men: Doc Ames and Hovey C. Clarke, a local businessman who became the foreman of the grand jury which went on the prosecute and convict several corrupt officials.
Doc Ames held three consecutive terms as the mayor of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ames was known for his service and medical aid to the poor and therefore, the people worshipped him for his good deeds, praised him for his amiable nature, and voted for him when he ran for mayor. Although originally morally just in nature, Ames gradually became corrupted as he grew vain and came to enjoy the best of society. When he took office on January 7, he organized a cabinet that would turn the city over to outlaws who were to work under police direction to profit his administration. Ames appointed chief for his brother Colonel Fred W. Ames – a clear sign of nepotism. To profit his administration, Ames created a corrupt government, firing 107 out of 225 of the best policemen in order to fill the spots with those that would accept bribes [7]. Sometimes the police would even stage burglaries and turn the other way to the suspects. Ames did not care as long as his administration was profiting; a once well-respected man now became one who represented injustice.
Despite the corruption that flooded Minneapolis, one man courageously fought back: Hovey C. Clarke. Clarke resolutely declared that in order to break corruption, they had to break the Ames gang. Determined to achieve his goal, Clarke even ruthlessly fired the county prosecutor and took over his position.
Despite the corruption that flooded Minneapolis, one man courageously fought back: Hovey C. Clarke. Clarke resolutely declared that in order to break corruption, they had to break the Ames gang. Determined to achieve his goal, Clarke even ruthlessly fired the county prosecutor and took over his position.
"You are excused," said the foreman.*
There was a scene; the prosecutor knew his rights.
"Do you think, Mr. Clarke," he cried, "that you can run the grand
jury. and my office too?" .
"Yes," said Clarke, "I win run your office if I want to; and I want to.
You're excused.
*The forman is Hovey C. Clarke
Clarke went to prisons and found "Billy" Edwards, the other "Cheerful Charlie" Howard, two people who wanted to get revenge on Ames. Clarke indicted indicted Gardner, Norbeck, Fred Ames, and many lesser persons. The gangs also raised funds in retaliation to combat Clarke. At the city hall, in a confrontation between Ames and Clarke, Clarke openly declared “Yes, Doc Ames, I'm after you. I've been in this town for seventeen years, and all that time you've been a moral leper. I hear you were rotten during the ten years before that. Now I'm going to put you where all contagious things are put-where you cannot contaminate anybody else.” Little by little, Clarke successfully convicted Gardner and Norbeck, and Fred Ames were quickly convicted, too.
Ames was immediately confronted; however he escaped, but was arrested in Hancock New Hampshire on February 1903. Ames was sent back to Minnesota, tried, convicted for bribery, and sentenced to six years in State prison. D. Percy Jones went on to succeed Ames and continued the cleanup of corruption in the Minneapolis.
Ames was immediately confronted; however he escaped, but was arrested in Hancock New Hampshire on February 1903. Ames was sent back to Minnesota, tried, convicted for bribery, and sentenced to six years in State prison. D. Percy Jones went on to succeed Ames and continued the cleanup of corruption in the Minneapolis.
Works Cited
1. Bain News Service. Lincoln Steffens. N.d. Photograph. Library of Congress, n.p.
2. The Shame of the Cities. Advertisement. Who are the Real Enemies of the Republic [Portland] 26 Mar. 1904: 5 Print
3. Steffens, Lincoln. "Tweed Days in St. Louis." The St. Louis Republic 27 Sept. 1902: n. pag. Newsbank/Readex. Web. 4 June 2012.
4. Steffens, Lincoln. "Shame of St. Louis." Oregonian [Portland] 8 Mar. 1903: n. pag.Newsbank/Readex. Web. 3 June 2012.
5. Plain Dealer. Advertisement. The Shame of Minneapolis 30 Dec. 1902: 2. Print.
6. Steffens, Lincoln. "The Shame of Minneapolis: The Rescue and Redemption of a City That Was Sold Out." McClure's Magazine Jan. 1903: 3+. Web.
7. Steffens, Lincoln. "The Shame of Minneapolis." 1903. MS. N.p.
2. The Shame of the Cities. Advertisement. Who are the Real Enemies of the Republic [Portland] 26 Mar. 1904: 5 Print
3. Steffens, Lincoln. "Tweed Days in St. Louis." The St. Louis Republic 27 Sept. 1902: n. pag. Newsbank/Readex. Web. 4 June 2012.
4. Steffens, Lincoln. "Shame of St. Louis." Oregonian [Portland] 8 Mar. 1903: n. pag.Newsbank/Readex. Web. 3 June 2012.
5. Plain Dealer. Advertisement. The Shame of Minneapolis 30 Dec. 1902: 2. Print.
6. Steffens, Lincoln. "The Shame of Minneapolis: The Rescue and Redemption of a City That Was Sold Out." McClure's Magazine Jan. 1903: 3+. Web.
7. Steffens, Lincoln. "The Shame of Minneapolis." 1903. MS. N.p.