Summary
Corruption is nothing new for NYC politics, and we've all lived through our fair share, but the story of Mayor Fernando Wood may be the most fantastical.
Corruption is nothing new for NYC politics, and we’ve all lived through our fair share, but the story of Mayor Fernando Wood may be the most fantastical. Wood’s refusal to step down from office in 1857 led to one of the most bizarre episodes in NYC’s history – a full-blown police riot. As we dive into this fascinating chapter, we’ll see how Wood’s actions shook the very foundations of New York City politics and left a lasting mark on the city’s legacy.
New York City’s Political Landscape in the 1850s
In the 1850s, New York City’s political scene was a complex web of power struggles and competing interests. Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party’s executive committee, wielded significant influence over the city’s affairs. This organization had a knack for earning the loyalty of the rapidly expanding immigrant community, which became its base of political capital.
Tammany Hall’s Influence
Tammany Hall’s power was formidable, controlling Democratic nominations and political patronage in Manhattan. After 1850, the vast majority of its district and precinct leaders were Irish Catholics, a result of mass immigration during and after the Irish Potato Famine. The organization served as an engine for both political advancement and corruption.
Rise of Reform Movements
As Tammany Hall’s grip on power tightened, reform movements began to emerge. Men like the Reverend Charles H. Parkhurst, who led the New York Society for the Prevention of Crime, started pushing back against the corruption that had become endemic in city politics. These reformers passed laws in the state legislature to combat gambling and other vices, though enforcement in larger cities remained a challenge due to political machine control over the police and courts.
Wood’s Mozart Hall Faction
Wood’s political career was marked by both innovation and controversy. He pushed for home rule and charter reform while facing accusations of corruption. Wood’s political base included some colorful supporters, such as the Dead Rabbits, an Irish gang that agreed with his refusal to enforce the statewide prohibition law of 1855. His pursuit of power was characterized by opportunism, and he became a lightning rod for both supporters and critics alike.
Mayor Wood’s Controversial Actions
During his time in office, Wood faced numerous accusations of corruption. He was described as “the most corrupt man that ever sat in the Mayor’s chair” by John Bigelow, a prominent author and statesman of the time. These allegations stemmed from his alleged practices of selling public offices, franchises, and city contracts to the highest bidder. He also faced accusations of establishing a naturalization mill for newly arrived immigrants to enlarge the voter base.
Conflict with State Legislature
Wood’s relationship with the state legislature was tumultuous at best. He viewed their actions as an encroachment on New York City’s autonomy and fought back against what he saw as unjust interference. In response to legislative efforts to reform the city’s governance, Wood attempted to strike preemptively by proposing a charter revision that would have given the mayor more executive power. However, the legislature countered with the Municipal Charter of 1857, which consolidated city agencies and gave the state direct power over law and order within the city.
Resistance to Police Reform
Perhaps the most contentious issue of Wood’s tenure was his resistance to police reform. When the Republican-dominated legislature created a competing police force to combat corruption, he refused to comply. Wood maintained control over the existing police department, which which maintained support of the controversial mayor. This led to a standoff that culminated in the Police Riot of 1857. Wood had his loyal officers physically remove state appointees from City Hall and create a protective shield around the building. The city descended into chaos as rival police forces clashed and gangs took to the streets.
The Police Riot of 1857
Competing Police Forces
The Republican-controlled state legislature had passed a law disbanding Wood’s Municipal Police and replacing it with a state-controlled Metropolitan Police force. Wood refused to comply, claiming the move was illegal and violated the principle of home rule. This led to a tense standoff between the Municipal officers and the newly formed Metropolitan force. For several months during the summer of 1857, two rival police forces were operating simultaneously in New York City.
Street Battles in New York
The situation quickly spiraled out of control. On June 16, 1857, a confrontation at City Hall sparked a full-blown riot. When Daniel Conover arrived to assume the office of Street Commissioner, Wood had him forcibly removed. In response, Conover obtained warrants for Wood’s arrest. As Metropolitan officers attempted to serve these warrants, the Municipal police created a protective shield around City Hall. The scene descended into chaos as rival police forces clashed on the steps and in the corridors of the building.
Wood’s Defiance of Authority
The city descended into anarchy as the Dead Rabbits, an other gangs aligned with Mayor Wood, touched off a riot against the Metropolitans and their supporters, the Bowery Boys and their allies. The fighting spiraled into widespread looting and property damage. It was only when the Seventh Regiment of the New York Militia intervened that some semblance of order was restored. However, the tensions between the rival police forces continued to simmer throughout the summer, encouraging criminal activity and setting the stage for further unrest.
How it Ended
By the fall of 1857, after months of violence, Wood agreed to disband the Municipal police force. He went on to be re-elected again in 1860.
Conclusion
Fernando Wood’s refusal to step down as Mayor of New York City in 1857 had a profound impact on the city’s political landscape. His actions led to a full-blown police riot, showcasing the deep-rooted tensions between local and state authorities. This crisis brought to light the complex web of power struggles, corruption, and reform movements that defined New York City politics in the 1850s. The clash between rival police forces and the ensuing chaos in the streets highlighted the urgent need for a more stable and unified system of governance.
In the end, Wood’s defiance and the resulting turmoil had far-reaching consequences for New York City and its relationship with the rest of the nation. The events of 1857 set the stage for future reforms and played a part in shaping the city’s political dynamics during the Civil War era. This episode serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by growing urban centers in balancing local autonomy with state oversight, and the potential for conflict when strong personalities clash with institutional authority.
Eric is a 4th generation Lower East Sider, professional NYC history author, movie & TV consultant, and founder of Lower East Side History Project.