During the 1910s the Republican and Democratic parties in many cities were dominated by political bosses. To be successful both candidates and legislation had to have the approval of these power brokers. Charles F. Murphy, for example, was the dominant Democrat in New York State politics from 1906 into the 1920s. As The New York Times reported, Murphy had "established himself securely as the Dictator of Democratic policies in the State." After 1910, when control of the state Republican Party was captured by conservative forces, New York progressives had to rely on the Democrats, especially Boss Murphy, to get reform measures passed. As one historian has noted, "Murphy's 'progressivism' was in large part the manifestation of a practical politician's self-defense tactics." Yet, led by Murphy, the Democrats supported woman suffrage, direct election of U.S. senators, the direct primary system for nominations to...