Rights and Responsibilities
This page will go over the rights and the responsibilities of the parties affected by political corruption (ahem everyone) in the 1900's.
RightsPeople have the right to vote. However, this was taken away by the ballot stuffing and other illegal activity in the 1900's. The politicians that supported the gangs were the ones who got elected, at the expense of the rights of others.
As gangs and criminals got more powerful, people's natural right to security was compromised. Also, the corruption gave a disadvantage to honest citizens because criminals could get away with breaking the law under the cover of politicians. It is the right of the people to rely on the police force, and have a working organization against crime. |
ResponsibilitiesIt is the responsibilities of politicians to get elected fairly, and not rely on other means to get put in a position of power. Unfortunately, mayors like "Big Bill" Thomson used his political leverage to gain money and votes.
It is the responsibility of politicians to make sure that criminal behavior do not get out of hand. This is why president Herbert Hoover initiated an investigation that put an end to Al Capone's career in 1931. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alphonse Capone) It is the responsibility of the police to catch criminals and make sure not to underestimate them before they grow too powerful. Unfortunately, the police have a tendency to ignore powerful gangs, the Chicago Mob for example. From 1920-1962, out of the 985 mob murders, only 2 were solved. (University of Chicago, Anti-corruption report #7, 2013) |
Image on top: http://www.johnsonsdepot.com/chicago/oldjcpolice.JPG
University of Chicago link:
http://www.uic.edu/depts/pols/ChicagoPolitics/policecorruption.pdf
University of Chicago link:
http://www.uic.edu/depts/pols/ChicagoPolitics/policecorruption.pdf
