Official Documents, Addresses, of George Opdyke: Mayor of the City of New York During the Years 1862 and 1863 (Classic Reprint)
(Excerpt from Official Documents, Addresses, of George Opd...)
Excerpt from Official Documents, Addresses, of George Opdyke: Mayor of the City of New York During the Years 1862 and 1863
The collection embraces only such official letters as relate to the subject-matter of the other papers. The main body of the correspondence, though pre served at the Mayor's Office, is omitted, under the impression that much of' it does not possess sufficient interest to warrant its appearance here, While on the other hand the author desired to avoid a partial reproduction.
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Opinions of loyalists concerning the great questions of the times
(The Sumter anniversary, 1863 opinions of loyalists concer...)
The Sumter anniversary, 1863 opinions of loyalists concerning the great questions of the times expressed in the speeches and letters from prominent citizens of all sections and parties, on occasion of the inauguration of the Loyal National League. This book, "Opinions of loyalists concerning the great questions of the times", by George Opdyke, Charles King, John A. Stevens, is a replication of a book originally published before 1863. It has been restored by human beings, page by page, so that you may enjoy it in a form as close to the original as possible.
The Opdyke Libel Suit: A Full Metrical, Juridical, And Analytical Report Of The Extraordinary Suit For Libel Of George Opdyke "verses" Thurlow Weed, ... 13th Day Of December, 1864, And Ending On The
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This work has been selected by scholars as being cultura...)
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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George Opdyke an American entrepreneur and the 76th Mayor of New York City (1862-1864).
Background
George Ordyke was born on December 7, 1805, in Kingwood Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He was the son of George and Mary (Stout) Opdyke and a descendant of Louris Jansen Opdyke, who emigrated from Holland to New Netherland prior to 1653.
Education
George Ordyke attended a country school in Kingwood Township.
Career
George Ordyke became a teacher at the age of sixteen, and clerk in a store at Baptistown, New Jersey, at the age of eighteen. In 1825 he borrowed $500 and in company with another youth went to Cleveland, Ohio, where they established a store. The venture proved only moderately profitable, and the next year they sold their business and sought a more promising location. At New Orleans, learning that clothing was being sold at a profit of one hundred per cent, they set up a store and began manufacturing their own stock. The demand for clothing soon outran the capacity of the plant. Opdyke, seeking a greater source of merchandise, went to New York in 1832 and established probably the first important clothing factory in the city. He also engaged in the retail business there and later opened branch stores at Memphis, Tennessee, and at Charleston, South Carolina. He made and sold principally rough clothing for plantation hands. In 1846 he placed the business in charge of his brother-in-law, John D. Scott, and turned his attention to importing and selling drygoods at wholesale. Both enterprises prospered, and by 1853 Opdyke was a millionaire.
During the Civil War Ordyke manufactured uniforms and arms for the Federal government. In 1869, having retired from merchandising, he established the banking house of George Opdyke & Company, which successfully withstood the panic of 1873, though with considerable loss to the fortune of the founder. Opdyke's Southern experiences convinced him that slavery was an economic evil, not to be extended under any circumstances. In 1848 he began an active political career as a delegate to the convention of the Free-Soil party at Buffalo, and as an unsuccessful candidate for Congress. In 1854 he became a Republican. He was a member of the New York Assembly, 1859; mayor of New York, 1862-63; member of the state constitutional convention, 1867-68; and of the constitutional commission, 1872-73.
In politics he was independent, acting always on the principle that the people should have strong, honest, and efficient government. In the Assembly he effectively opposed attempts to grant franchises against the interests of New York City. He attended the Republican National Convention, 1860, and opposed the nomination of Seward because he thought him too closely associated with the Republican boss, Thurlow Weed. As mayor, he vetoed a great number of ordinances designed to grant special favors. His annual message, 1863, contained proposals of many reforms, some of which have been adopted, while others still remain on the program of the municipal reformer. He recommended an increase in the powers of the mayor, and the abolition of state commissions and of county governments which overlapped city governments. He looked forward to a greater city of "Manhattan" which would include New York, Brooklyn, and their environs.
The most severe test of his administration occurred during the draft riots in July 1863. The city had been stripped of troops to repel Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania. The police were under the control of a state commission. Under the laws and the charter the mayor's powers were moral rather than legal. Opdyke obtained the cooperation of the police commission and the soldiers and marines in the harbor forts, issued proclamations calling citizens to arms, and exerted efforts to restore order without compromising with the rioters. In the midst of the disorders the common council passed an ordinance appropriating $2, 500, 000 to pay the commutation of the men drafted. Opdyke vetoed it because it tended to nullify a federal law, and to put a price upon the rioters' abstaining from further violence. His own claim against the city for heavy property losses during the riots led Weed to assert that Opdyke had overcharged the city, and also the federal government, in connection with clothing contracts. An unfortunate and indecisive libel suit resulted.
Opdyke also gained some prominence as an economist. His Treatise on Political Economy (1851) was designed as an American reply to John Stuart Mill's Principles of Political Economy. In it Opdyke expressed his opinion that fiat money was desirable if issued in limited amounts. In a later Report on the Currency (1858) he proposed taxing bank notes of small denominations out of existence and advocated the issuance by the national government of gold certificates. These recommendations were subsequently adopted, though not in the form desired by Opdyke. He protested against the overissuance of greenbacks during the war but afterward recommended that the volume of currency be not reduced too quickly.
George Opdyke died on December 7, 1805, in New Yotk City.
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Membership
George Opdyke was a member of the New York Assembly (1859); member of the state constitutional convention (1867-68); and of the constitutional commission (1872-73).
Personality
In appearance Opdyke was tall and slender; in manner, gracious. He was a confidant of many leaders in national affairs and a friend of many distinguished scholars and authors.
Connections
George Opdyke was married, on September 26, 1829, to Elizabeth Hall Stryker of New Jersey. They had six children.