When the law finally jailed Boss Tweed, the Tammany Hall czar gave his occupation as "statesman." His successor many times removed, Carmine De Sapio, was more modest when he testified recently in his own defense. Known as "The Bishop" in his glory days, De Sapio called himself an "ex-political leader."
When De Sapio took over the Manhattan Democratic organization 21 years ago, he was a progressive innovator. He led in nominating good-government candidates like Robert Wagner for mayor and Averell Harriman for Governor. He broke the Irish monopoly that had previously ruled Tammany. The Bishop liberalized organization rules to such an extent...
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