Richard Croker

In 1886 Richard Croker and his successor in 1902, Charles F. Murphy, carried on the facade of making liberal avowals and supporting progressive candidates for the top of the ticket but failed to curb corruption within the administrative machinery.

…mayors, governors, and legislatures—and later Richard Croker, would be extended to Brooklyn through any consolidation. “Tweed ring” corruption siphoned tens, perhaps hundreds, of millions of dollars into private hands until, in 1871, a coalition of reformers overthrew the boss. Tweed’s successor as county leader, John Kelly, was a more astute…