Plunkitt of Tammany Hall
What is "honest graft" and "dishonest graft"? George Washington Tammany was said to have become rich by way of an honest graft. There is a large difference between getting rich through and honest graft and by getting rich through a dishonest graft. Tammany made his money in politics, but he did not do it dishonestly. He honestly made his money by seizing opportunities for investment as they came about. He did not cheat, steal or gamble. After reading that article, I really came to like Mr. Plunkitt. He's honest and likeable. He did philanthropic work for the cause of philanthropy, but also so he could get votes. He wanted the common good. He had a saving truth - his saving truth was to take the opportunities as they come -- but do it honestly.