MASSACHUSETTS: Broken Machine

In his 29 years at Boston's corruption-laced City Hall, City Clerk John B. Hynes had learned something about running a big city and plenty about how not to run one. He had most of the necessary equipment for political success in Boston (he was Irish, Catholic and Democratic), and he harbored little love for the shopworn, sticky-fingered machine of Mayor James Michael Curley.

Hynes could not match the melodious oratory and easy braggadocio of 74-year-old Jim Curley. But then, he had never been put in jail for fraud either.

On Election Day last week, as a record turnout of Bostonians headed...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!