The State Historical Society of Missouri
Famous Missouri Leaders $amp; Activists
Thomas J. Pendergast (1872 – 1945)
Thomas J. Pendergast
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Tom Pendergast was the leader, or boss, of a Kansas City political organization. The organization, or "machine," guaranteed high voter turnout for hand-picked political candidates by cheating, bribing, or threatening citizens. Only the machine's supporters received jobs with the city and county governments. The Pendergast machine controlled local government and the Democratic Party in Kansas City. It provided jobs and services to the people and in return expected the people to vote for its candidates. Contracts were given to its supporters along with jobs and business licenses. The machine also provided food for the poor.
Editorial Cartoon from the St. Louis
Post-Dispatch
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Truman had served in the army with Tom Pendergast's nephew, Jim. When Truman's haberdashery failed, the Pendergasts asked him to run for eastern district judge. The Pendergast machine supported Truman in subsequent Jackson County elections as well as when he ran for the United States Senate. This connection initially tarnished Truman's reputation as a senator. Truman, however, ultimately gained recognition for honesty and hard work in Washington, DC.
During Truman's time in Washington, the Pendergast machine started to lose influence. Former Pendergast candidates and supporters cooperated with law enforcement officials to bring election fraud charges against Pendergast. Tom Pendergast was found guilty of income tax evasion in 1939 and served fifteen months in prison. He died on January 26, 1945.
