PAGE B2 The Knoxville Fo c u s March 26, 2012 March 26, 2012 www.knoxfocus.com PAGE B3 Edward Hull Crump The Boss Part 1 Pages from and saloons. Rather than attempting to eliminate vice the Political completely, Crump moved Past to confine prostitution to a red-light district, tolerated saloons and kept the gam- bling dens manageable. The vice interests were largely ignored for the most part, but those same interests were expected to contribute to the well being of the Shelby By Ray Hill County . One Chief of the Memphis [email protected] Police Department testified the contributions from ille- he modern histo- gal operations amounted to ry of Memphis is almost one hundred thou- inextricably tied to sand dollars, a sum that thatT of Edward Hull Crump. would be the equivalent to “Mister” Crump was indis- several million dollars today. putably a political boss Some have described those in a region of the coun- funds as “protection money”, try where political bosses but likely the bulk of it was did not normally flourish. used to fund political activi- Political bosses were hardly ties and campaigns for the uncommon in the United Shelby County machine and States during the heyday its candidates. Crump saw of E. H. Crump and they still nothing wrong with assess- exist today, albeit in lesser ing the illegal businesses forms. The product of politi- operating in his domain to cal machines in the United perpetuate his machine any States have at least a few more than he objected to who have risen to the presi- legitimate businesses con- dency of the . tributing to the organization. Chester Alan Arthur was a Crump did, however, strong- political boss himself from ly object to the notion of any New York State and occu- official taking the money to pied perhaps the biggest fill his own pockets. plum within the gift of the president at the time, as It was Crump’s refusal to the Collector of the Port of From the author’s personal collection. enforce the prohibition laws New York. Arthur later infu- Mr. Crump in 1938. in Memphis that lead to his riated many of his own sup- removal from the Mayor’s porters by supporting civil would drop appreciably. debate on the question well as a remarkable ability outraged by the notion office. Tennessee’s then- service and saw his back- By any standard, Edward of prohibition. That same to shrewdly size up his fellow African-American citizens Governor Ben W. Hooper ing melt to the point where Hull Crump would quali- debate was so fierce it left human beings. Crump’s were voting and participat- was not only a prohibitionist, he could not muster enough fy as a political boss as he one former United States organizational skills, ability ing in Democratic prima- but a Republican. Governor delegates to be nominated presided over one of the senator literally lying dead to understand people and ries. It was hardly unusual Hooper supported an ouster for the presidency. most smoothly functioning in a gutter. events, as well as his show- for Crump opponents to law which enabled the organizations in the coun- manship were all crucial appeal for support on the removal of Crump as Mayor President Harry S. Truman try. Through his mastery of In 1905 many of the lead- factors in his being able to basis of nominations being of Memphis by the judicia- was also a product of the the Shelby County political ing citizens of Memphis parlay those strengths into a determined by the vote of ry. E. H. Crump, ever practi- infamous Pendergast machine, Crump ruled abso- revolted and sought to winning campaign to unseat African-Americans. Many of cal, resigned as Mayor just machine in Kansas City, lutely in Memphis for nearly drive Mayor John Williams Mayor John J. Williams. those same appeals were before he could be ousted Missouri. in half a century. from office by reforming not surprisingly blatantly and from office. is perhaps the local government and cre- Crump’s inability to make crudely racist. Crump’s rela- most notorious example of a E. H. Crump became a ating a commission form a speech didn’t much hurt tionship with the black com- Crump’s removal as political machine and Boss force to reckoned with, not of government. Crump was him in the campaign, as he munity would change over Mayor, while widely hailed Tweed the noxious example only locally, but in Tennessee elected as a member of relied upon the organization the years and the Memphis by his opponents, did little Gatlinburg’s Best Location On Parkway Adjoining National Park of a political boss. The HBO and national politics as well. the City Council as part of he had so carefully crafted. Boss tolerated no dissent, a to tarnish his reputation in FORMERLY BURNING BUSH RESTAURANT cable network has even Crump, in conjunction with the progressive movement. Others carried the burden lesson some would learn to Memphis and Shelby County. launched a very successful Tennessee’s U. S. Senator Crump was closely associat- of making speeches, while their ultimate regret in the It did nothing to diminish his series based on the life and Kenneth D. McKellar, domi- ed in the reform movement Crump himself concentrat- future. actual power. Crump was dealings of New Jersey polit- nated Volunteer State poli- with a young attorney, K. D. ed on turning out the vote. It elected as Shelby County ical boss, Enoch “Nucky” tics for the better part of two McKellar, and the two would proved to be a highly effec- E. H. Crump survived a Trustee mere months after Johnson. decades. remain friends, confidants tive method of winning elec- bid by former Mayor John leaving the mayor’s office. It and political partners for the tions and would remain so Williams to recapture his old might seem an odd choice Chicago has a long history Born in Holly Springs, next five decades. until the end of Crump’s life. seat of power and Crump for Crump to serve in an of political machines and the Mississippi, Crump came to Never in his long reign did was busy consolidating obscure county office, but OPEN HOUSE: and 2 dining areas have large  replaces. Also includes an last vestige of the old Daley Memphis as a fresh-faced Crump soon proved to be the Memphis Boss ever take his power in Memphis and state law at the time allowed Friday, March 30th, atrium and large glass area fac- machine, Richard Daley, young man with a full head a master at organizing and an election for granted. Shelby County when his the Trustee to personally 4:00 P. M. til dark and Saturday ing the Great Smoky Mountains Jr., just retired as Mayor of of flaming red hair, causing was a particularly effective tenure abruptly came to an keep excess fees, usually before sale. National Park next door for a Chicago. Frank Hague, the later political opponents administrator. The breadth E. H. Crump was not one end. It was a humiliation he amounting to approximate- BUY THE BEST NOW AT ABSOLUTE most unique dining experience. boss of Jersey City, was to refer to him as the “Red and scope of the Crump to ignore a life lesson and never forgot nor forgave. As ly $50,000 per year, an AUCTION! THIS PROPERTY HAS NOT The building needs only a few infamous for shouting, “I Snapper”. Like many of his organization is difficult to he did not soon forget his former Mayor Williams had enormous sum in 1916. In BEEN AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET repairs to bring it back up to AM THE LAW!” during one contemporaries, Ed Crump conceive in today’s political political ambitions had quite turned a blind eye to much today’s dollars, adjusted for  rst class. FOR OVER 40 YEARS! outburst and in New Jersey, grew up relatively poor as atmosphere. While many nearly been upset by former of the rampant crime and inflation, it was almost a mil- Most all real estate on the RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT: LOT #1: Kitchen equipment to be he was. his father died young from would hardly be shocked Mayor Williams’s overwhelm- vice in Memphis, Crump lion dollars. Parkway in Downtown sold in one lot including grills, ovens, deep fryers, ice yellow fever. Employed as a to consider a genuine polit- ing support from the black started a very public cam- Gatlinburg is owned by a makers, large and small refrigerator units, hoods, metal These same political bookkeeper as a teenager, ical machine composed community. Unlike many paign to clean up the city. As E. H. Crump assumed few families and individu- shelving and much more. machines have elected Crump fell in love with and of public employees, the Southern cities, African- The effort did not last and the Trustee’s office, he was als, and are on long term LOT #2: Dining room equipment sells in one lot including everything from aldermen married the daughter of a Crump organization extend- Americans owned business- Crump likely realized it was soon able to extract a mea- leaseholds. It is extremely all tables, booths & chairs. Walk-in cooler will stay with and city councilmen, to prosperous merchant, who ed into virtually every aspect es and were not only allowed not possible for local govern- sure of revenge on former RARE in this area to have an opportunity to purchase FEE the building county clerks and Presidents provided Crump with the of the political, business and to vote in Memphis, but ment to stamp out of exis- Governor Ben W. Hooper. SIMPLE real estate at any price, but the owner of this DIRECTIONS: Corner property at Light #10 at intersection of the United States. funds to purchase the firm social fabric of Memphis actually encouraged to vote. tence prostitution, gambling, property has commissioned McCarter Auction to sell at of 441 Parkway and Ski Mountain Road. Property adjoins Machines have helped to where he worked. and Shelby County. Even The various competing polit- Absolute Auction, with NO MINIMUMS, NO RESERVES. Great Smoky Mountains National Park. determine the outcome many progressives became ical organizations in Shelby ADDRESS: 1151 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. This property will sell to the highest bidder March 31st, of national elections, just It is ironic to consider E. stalwart members of the County and Memphis paid Lost or Damaged phone and no insurance? regardless of price. BIDDER REQUIREMENTS: In order to bid on the proper- ty all bidders must bring either a $100,000.00 Bank Letter Chicago Mayor and Boss H. Crump first entered pol- Crump machine, along with the poll taxes for African- ALL BIDDERS ON REAL ESTATE MUST QUALIFY WITH of Credit or a $100,000.00 Cashiers Check made payable Richard Daley, Sr., held back itics as a reformer. Many socially prominent citizens, American voters with the $100,000.00 CASHIER’S CHECK OR BANK LETTER to McCarter Auction, Inc. Escrow Account and present a the vote returns from Cook Memphians were chafing business and labor leaders, clear expectation they would Purchase A Preowned MADE OUT TO McCARTER AUCTION ESCROW. valid driver’s license. County to push Illinois into under the rule of Mayor and educators. The Crump vote “right” and they usually The Burning Bush was one of the most successful restau- REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH BIDDERS: A deposit of 10% John F. Kennedy’s column in John J. Williams, who had organization permeated did. Crump immediately set rants in Gatlinburg for over 40 years. A few years ago a of the contract sales price is required day of auction. If Ca- one of the closest presiden- annexed communities adja- civic associations, clubs, out to switch the political alle- Phone new metal roof was put on the building and the name shiers check is presented, rather than Bank Letter of Cred- tial races in our country’s cent to Memphis, which had neighborhood groups and giance of African-American was changed to Applewood, then Smokys, until recently. Up to 70% off it, any balance above $100,000.00 Cashiers Check may be history and giving the JFK the happy effect of increas- even churches. All fifty-two citizens to his own organiza- The building is now vacant, ready for new owner to open paid by cash, good personal or company check. Balance is for business in time to take advantage of full tourist sea- the presidency with the gift ing the government’s rev- voting precincts had Crump tion, although Memphis was retail prices due at closing within 30 days. All successful bidders will of Illinois’ electoral votes. enues and expanding leaders and each was tightly still very much a segregated son. be required to sign a note for the deposit amount with Lyndon Johnson was elected services. Williams was evi- organized. city at the time. Under 30 day old units, This older building is laid out perfectly for an upscale the contract, in addition to deposit paid day of sale. Note restaurant with 5 individual dining areas with wood/ shall become null and void when buyer shall complete all to the United States Senate dently a live-and-let-live sort Large selection! stone walls, beam ceilings, some with nice slate oors, requirements for closing as set out in their contract. through ballot boxes con- of fellow, as the Mayor did Crump improved govern- Mayor Crump saw to it trolled by George Parr, the not work very hard in actu- ment efficiency while at the that city services were pro- Androids , Blackberries, flip “Duke of Duval” County. ally enforcing local vice laws. same time getting more out vided to African-Americans, phones & keyboard handsets Some accused the Mayor of the various governmental something that was virtu- There have been many of being too closely aligned departments in terms of ser- ally unheard of in most of men described as politi- with saloon owners and the vices to the citizenry. While the South. Crump’s close Network Technologies cal bosses, but if the defi- liquor interests, which was a poor public speaker, the ties to the black community nition were one who runs a damning charge during a future Memphis Boss pos- would be a source of conten- 573-8785 a fully functioning political time when Tennessee was sessed an unrivaled sense tion in the future with many 10922 Chapman Hwy • Seymour organization, the number frequently embroiled in a of political showmanship, as of his political opponents Carrier specific