Publisher's Synopsis
Under the title of "The Boss: An Essay upon the Art of Governing American Cities," which comes from the press of Messrs. George H. Richmond & Co., Mr. Henry Champernowne - which is, we fancy, a 'nom de plume' for David MacGregor Means - has published a treatise which will be simply inestimable to Messrs. Hill, Purroy, Gorman, Platt, Cameron, and other persons who follow the profession of the boss and successfully practice its arts. Heretofore the boss has risen sporadically and by virtue of certain innate gifts; but so many bosses have appeared in both parties, and have ruled so long and so successfully, that it has become clear to men like the writer of this volume that there is an art of governing for the boss as there was formerly for the hereditary ruler, and that this art is susceptible of orderly discussion and statement.Following the model set by Machiavelli, the writer of this book outlines clearly and discusses in detail the various arts, qualities, and methods that lay the foundation and perpetuate the power of boss rule. "A boss," he says, "like a prince, cannot exercise all the virtues, because self-preservation will often compel him to violate the laws of charity, religion, and justice; but he should endeavor to gain a reputation among the people for kindness, piety, justice, and fidelity to his engagements, and never utter anything in public which does not breathe of these qualities. He should persevere in the path of rectitude so long as he feels no inconvenience in so doing, and only deviate from it when prudence dictates such a course. He should keep his word when he can do it without injury to himself, and be careful not to break faith with those whom he will have to call upon at another time." One has only to recall the career of any of the successful bosses to see how wise these words are. The generous distribution of coal to the poor, of beer to political picnickers, free gifts of church sites to religious bodies, a generous bestowal of public privileges on corporations, that kind of fidelity to one's friends which entirely disregards the interests of the public-these are the virtues of all successful bosses.
