Includes index. The author was a professor of history at the University of Pittsburgh.
Bibliography: p. 281-289.
Summary
Matt Quay was called "the ablest politician this country has ever produced." He served as a United States senator representing Pennsylvania from 1887 to 1904. His career as a Republican Party boss, however, spanned nearly half a century, during which numerous governors and one president owed their election success to his political skills. James A. Kehl was given the first public access to Quay's own papers, and herein presents the inside story of this controversial man who was considered a political Robin Hood for his alleged bribe-taking, misappropriations of funds, and concern for the underprivileged-yet he emerged as the most powerful member of the Republican Party in his state. [from the publisher]
This is an article in the journal " Pennsylvania History " The author states: "This article examines how Quay used money and patronage as the foundation for gaining and maintaining power. The techniques suggest how practical politicians in the post-Civil war era practiced their trade ." Quay was born in Dillsburg, York County, Pennsylvania. He served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives representing Beaver County, was Secretary of the State of Pennsylvania, and was Treasurer of the State .He was also Chairman of the Republican National Committee and served in the U.S. Senate.This article has numerous footnotes.
