John Francis Hylan
John Francis Hylan was born on the 20th of April 1868 in Hunter, New York. His family owned a 60-acre farm in the undeveloped mountains of the Catskills. They struggled to make semi-annual interest payments on a $1,500 mortgage. As the oldest boy, Hylan worked long hours with hand tools. The school district was so impoverished that only one family could afford required books. He occasionally borrowed these texts from neighbors. In his teenage years, he dug earth and tamped it beneath railroad tracks each spring. This labor stabilized the lines after winter weather damaged them. By the winter of 1887, he felt he could earn more money downstate. With just $3.50 and a few sets of clothes, he bought a $2 train ticket. He crossed the Brooklyn Bridge to find work. On his first day, he saw construction on an elevated railroad. He climbed onto the structure and asked the foreman for a job. He had previously worked on the Catskill railroad. The next day, his task was to lay rails. Seeking promotion, he applied at the manager's office daily until granted an interview. He became a fireman making $1.50 a day. He reported to the East New York station on the 11th of March 1888 during the Great Blizzard. After two years as stoker and engine hostler, he passed a test. He became an engineer in what he called one of the happiest moments of his life. Making $3.50 a day, he finally landed on the right side of the engine cab. His shifts were long: 13 hours on weekdays, 12 on Saturdays, and 11 on Sundays.
Hylan considered law after his younger brother died while studying it. His wife encouraged him despite his limited education. He studied at the Long Island Business College to prepare for his Regents exam. A teacher gave up his lunch hour to help Hylan pass this hurdle. Hylan later found that teacher a position in the Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. He enrolled in New York Law School where Woodrow Wilson taught Constitutional Law. He graduated in October 1897. Hylan clerked for Long Island City attorney James T. Olwell. He prepared himself in two and a half years. The earliest bar exam available was in Syracuse. Before taking it, he was involved in a near accident with his railroad supervisor. The supervisor claimed fault, yet Hylan was fired. His membership in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers allowed free travel to Syracuse. He passed the bar exam there. Learning that law practices required startup cash, he mortgaged the farm again. This raised $500 to set up an office on Gates Avenue and Broadway in Bushwick. He made $24 his first month but gradually built a civil litigation practice. He formed a partnership with Harry C. Underhill. Underhill handled office work while Hylan served as trial lawyer. Their firm occasionally received positive local publicity. They once obtained a ruling requiring the Brooklyn Heights Railroad Company to offer free transfers. After eight years in court, he gained respect among judges. He was appointed to determine compensation rates for property owners during land condemnation proceedings. One connection he made by accident was John H. McCooey. McCooey was a postal clerk when Hylan sent money orders for farm mortgage interest. They remained friends thereafter. Hylan emerged from obscurity in Brooklyn Democratic politics during citywide elections of 1903.
Hylan defeated reformer John Purroy Mitchel in the four-sided 1917 mayoral election. He restored Tammany Hall power at City Hall. This victory came with the consent of Tammany and William Randolph Hearst. He became the first Democratic candidate to obtain a significant portion of the African American voter base. He easily won re-election in 1921. The campaign involved complex political maneuvering within the party. Charles Francis Murphy had recently replaced Richard Croker as head of the Tammany machine. Murphy aimed to extend influence to all boroughs. He decided to dislodge Fusionist mayor Seth Low by running George B. McClellan Jr. This move was unpopular in Brooklyn. Leaders believed it would hurt down-ticket candidates. Some observers thought Murphy intended to cut off Kings County's independent patronage base. At the City Committee meeting on September 18, leaders from Queens, the Bronx, and Richmond expressed concern. Independent Manhattan Democrats also objected. Former Tammany police chief Bill Devery ran for Mayor himself. Several Tammany chiefs questioned the wisdom of choosing McClellan. Brooklyn party leader Hugh McLaughlin promised to oppose Murphy's nominee. The convention took place on the 1st of October 1903 at Carnegie Hall. Brooklyn Assistant District Attorney Martin W. Littleton led a charge against the ticket. He scored Tammany treachery for selecting Democratic traitor Grout. Robert H. Elder nominated Julian D. Fairchild instead. The excitement reached a climax when one Tammany leader broke with Murphy. Wild applause followed. Yet the Brooklyn Democrats were routed by the near unanimous Tammany vote. While Kings County delegation made show of unity, their motion for Grout and Fornes was howled down. All talk of an opposition ticket ceased the next day. If McClellan won, all Brooklyn patronage would go through him. McCarren used the occasion to take over the Brooklyn organization. In the turmoil, Hylan made his first move for party advancement.
As mayor, Hylan railed against what he called the interests. His chief focus was keeping subway fares from rising. He put in motion the building of the Independent Subway System. This system later became part of the New York City Subway. According to Robert Moses, Hylan went through most campaigns using just one stump speech. It was a call to keep the five-cent subway fare in place. He asked for Moses' help preparing another speech. Moses obliged. The first time Hylan tried delivering it, he missed context at the climax. He read out digits saying one-seven-seven-six instead of 1776. By the end of his second term, a report by Governor Al Smith's committee severely criticized his administration. The report focused on handling of the subway system. Hylan developed a reputation for not being exceptionally intelligent or well-spoken. Despite this, he maintained low fares during his tenure. He resigned from office on the 30th of December 1925 one day before term end. This assured eligibility for a $4,205 annual pension from the city. Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island was renamed for him in 1923 over opponent protests.
Hylan was defeated for re-nomination in 1925 by State Senator James J. Jimmy Walker. Walker later appointed Hylan as judge of the Queens Children's Court. When journalist Alva Johnston asked why Walker would appoint a rival, Walker quipped that children could now be tried by their peer. Hylan sat on the bench for many years after this appointment. His defeat marked a political exile from executive power. Tammany Hall had run Walker against him specifically to remove Hylan. The betrayal came after nine years of service as mayor. Hylan spent much time attacking interests after leaving office. He argued industrial concentration gave great power to individuals. This power influenced politics and impoverished working poor. He died of a heart attack at age 67 on the 12th of January 1936. He passed away at his home in Forest Hills, Queens. An abridged recording exists of him reading his acceptance speech on renomination in 1921. This recording was made for the General Phonograph Corporation.
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Common questions
When was John Francis Hylan born and where did he grow up?
John Francis Hylan was born on the 20th of April 1868 in Hunter, New York. He grew up on a 60-acre farm in the undeveloped mountains of the Catskills.
How did John Francis Hylan start his career as an engineer?
John Francis Hylan started working on elevated railroads after crossing the Brooklyn Bridge with $3.50 to find work. He eventually passed a test to become an engineer making $3.50 a day while working long shifts at East New York station.
What legal education did John Francis Hylan receive before becoming mayor?
John Francis Hylan graduated from New York Law School in October 1897 after studying at Long Island Business College. He clerked for attorney James T. Olwell and later passed the bar exam in Syracuse using free travel benefits from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
Why did John Francis Hylan resign as mayor of New York City?
John Francis Hylan resigned from office on the 30th of December 1925 one day before his term ended. This resignation ensured his eligibility for a $4,205 annual pension from the city.
When did John Francis Hylan die and where did he pass away?
John Francis Hylan died of a heart attack at age 67 on the 12th of January 1936. He passed away at his home located in Forest Hills, Queens.