Frank Hague
| Frank Hague | |
|---|---|
1920 photo
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| 30th Mayor of Jersey City | |
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In office May 15, 1917 – June 17, 1947 |
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| Preceded by | Mark M. Fagan |
| Succeeded by | Frank H. Eggers |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
January 17, 1876 Jersey City, New Jersey, United States |
| Died | January 1, 1956 (aged 79) New York City, New York, United States |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Jennie W. Warner (1874-1962) |
| Children |
Frank Hague, Jr. Peggy Ann Hague (adopted) |
| Residence | Jersey City, New Jersey |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Frank Hague, Jr.
Frank Hague (January 17, 1876 – January 1, 1956) was an American Democratic Party politician who served as the mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey from 1917 to 1947, Democratic National Committeeman from New Jersey from 1922 until 1949, and Vice-Chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1924 until 1949.
Hague has a widely known reputation for corruption and bossism and has been called "the grandaddy of Jersey bosses." By the time he left office in 1947, he enjoyed palatial homes, European vacations, and a private suite at the Plaza Hotel. His wealth has been estimated to have been over $10 million at the time of his death, although his City salary never exceeded $8,500 per year and he had no other legitimate source of income. His desk, according to legend, had a specially designed lap drawer which could be pushed outward towards the person with whom he was meeting. This allowed his "guests" to discreetly deliver bribes in the form of envelopes containing large amounts of cash. However, according to New Jersey preservationist John Hallinan, the drawers were a traditional feature of 19th century partners desks and that "[t]he last thing [Hague] would need to do is take a bribe personally." As of September 2013, the desk was in storage awaiting restoration.
During the height of his power Hague's political machine, known as "the organization," was one of the most powerful in the United States controlling politics on local, county, and state levels. Hague's personal influence extended to the national level, influencing federal patronage and presidential campaigns.
Francis "Frank" Hague, born in Jersey City, was the fourth of eight children to John D. and Margaret Hague (née Fagen), immigrants from County Cavan, Ireland. He was raised in Jersey City's Second ward, an area known as The Horseshoe due to its shape which wrapped around a railroad loop. The ward was created when the Republican-controlled legislature gerrymandered a district within Jersey City in 1871 to concentrate and isolate Democratic, and mostly Catholic, votes.
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