A Snollygoster is someone who is a shrewd, unprincipled person, especially a politician. The term Snollygoster is often used in a derogatory or humorous sense to describe politicians who are considered to be scheming, unscrupulous, and greedy.
What are the origins of the term Snollygoster?
The origins of the word Snollygoster are uncertain, but it seems to have first appeared in American English in the 1840s. One theory is that it derives from the German word “schnelle geeschter” meaning “quick spirit” or “fast ghost”. This may refer to someone who moves quickly like a ghost to take advantage of situations for their own benefit.
Another possible origin is from a corruption of “Snallygaster”, a mythical dragon-like creature said to inhabit rural parts of Maryland and Virginia. The Snallygaster was reputed to swoop silently down and carry off farm animals and other prey. In the late 1800s, the term “Snollygoster” emerged as a label for any unprincipled politician who swooped in to take advantage of voters.
What are the key characteristics of a Snollygoster?
A Snollygoster is typically described as having some key characteristics:
- Deceitful and scheming – A Snollygoster will often use trickery, false promises and dishonesty to achieve their goals.
- Self-serving and greedy – Their actions are driven by self-interest rather than principles or ethics.
- Opportunistic – They seize any opportunity that can benefit them personally, often at the expense of others.
- Shrewd and calculating – Snollygosters carefully plan and strategize to put themselves ahead.
- Power-hungry – They desperately want positions of power, influence and status.
- Cowardly – They avoid direct confrontation. Instead, they use manipulation behind the scenes.
- Disloyal – They are only loyal to themselves and will abandon allies and parties if it suits their agenda.
What is some notable history behind the term?
Although the term Snollygoster likely emerged in the 1840s, it became more widely used in political commentary in the post-Civil War era. The corruption, cronyism and incompetence on display in government at this time led to increased use of the word Snollygoster in the media.
One of the early documented uses was by United States President Rutherford B. Hayes. In a private letter in 1877, he wrote: “The true reason why the South was solid was because it was persuaded it was going to be cheated out of the results of the war. The snollygoster politicians convinced them of this.”
This points to the use of the word to criticize politicians who manipulated fears and resentment to maintain their own power in the Reconstruction South.
In the early 20th century, President Theodore Roosevelt used the term in a speech in 1912 while discussing special interests that work against the people:
“These men are sincere patriots, they believe in efficiency, but the interest of the public is not their primary concern. It makes no difference whether they are snollygosters and spoilsmen or inspired idealists lobbying for the interests of misguided philanthropists, the net result is the same.”
So the label of Snollygoster was applied flexible across party lines to any unethical, self-promoting politician.
Other Notable Uses in Politics
- In 1884, Democratic Congressman S. S. Cox gave a speech accusing his Republican opponents of being Snollygosters who engage in “the arts of the demagogue, the devices of unscrupulousness, the tricks of trimmers.”
- Missouri Senator Carl Schurz called supporters of President Andrew Johnson “snollygosters and therefore traitors” in Senate hearings leading up to Johnson’s impeachment in 1868.
- The New York Times accused the Tammany Hall political machine of being run by Snollygosters in editorials during the 1890s.
- President Harry Truman famously called Washington DC “a Snollygoster haven” in a 1950 speech criticizing lobbyists.
So for over a century, calling out Snollygosterism has been a key feature of American political mudslinging and rhetoric.
What are some examples of Snollygoster politicians and behavior?
Here are some alleged examples of Snollygoster politicians and their shady behavior:
| Politician | Snollygoster Behavior |
|---|---|
| Boss Tweed | As head of Tammany Hall in the 1850s-1870s, Tweed engaged in large-scale political corruption and embezzlement of public funds. |
| Huey Long | Louisiana governor and senator in the 1920s/30s who engaged in nepotism, political patronage and arm-twisting tactics to maintain power. |
| James Michael Curley | As mayor of Boston in the early 1900s, he enriched himself through kickbacks and diverting public funds to allies. |
| Wilbur Mills | Long-serving Arkansas Congressman who was embroiled in drunken scandals and abusive behavior but got repeatedly re-elected. |
| Richard Nixon | As evidenced by Watergate, he was willing to abuse power and break laws to sabotage opponents and benefit politically. |
| Rod Blagojevich | The impeached Illinois governor attempted to sell Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat for personal gain. |
These reflect a pattern of self-serving behavior at odds with integrity and the public interest.
What impact can Snollygoster politicians have?
Snollygoster politicians can have some very negative impacts, including:
- Corruption and unethical governance – misuse of public resources, cronyism, kickbacks, etc.
- Undermining of democratic institutions and norms – abusing power and office for selfish aims.
- Public cynicism and apathy – If people believe leaders are all Snollygosters “in it for themselves,” they disengage.
- Polarization and dysfunction – Parties become vehicles for unprincipled ambition rather than honest debate on policy.
- Poor policies – Decisions are made to benefit the politicians rather than the people.
- Enriching small special interests rather than serving the broader public good.
In short, Snollygosterism erodes integrity, trust in leadership, and faith that government exists to serve society in an ethical way.
How can we detect Snollygoster politicians?
Here are some signs that can indicate a Snollygoster politician is at work:
- Broken campaign promises and inconsistent flip-flopping stances for political expediency.
- Ethics scandals, corruption charges, shady back-room deals and abuses of power.
- Nepotism and directing favors to family members, allies and sources of money.
- Grandstanding and attention-seeking behavior. Self-promotion over public interest.
- Very high career ambition beyond ideals or party principles.
- Saying one thing publicly but acting differently behind the scenes.
- Sabotaging opponents through character assassination or dirty tricks rather than policy debates.
- Numerous accusations and criticisms of shady behavior from others, including journalists and good government groups.
No politician is perfect, but repeated examples of these behaviors should cause concern about Snollygosterism at work.
How can we reduce Snollygoster politicians in government?
Some potential ways to curb Snollygosterism in politics include:
- Informed and engaged voters – Paying attention to warning signs of Snollygoster behavior and voting accordingly.
- Campaign finance reform – Reducing the corrupting influence of money in politics.
- Transparency laws – Requiring financial disclosures, open records and audits to detect self-dealing.
- Bans on nepotism and conflicts of interest – With real enforcement.
- Non-partisan redistricting – Preventing uncompetitive seats where Snollygosters are ensured re-election.
- Government ethics agencies – Empowered independent oversight bodies to investigate and expose misconduct.
- Revolving door laws – Cooling off periods before politicians become lobbyists.
Structural reforms like these can make it harder for Snollygoster politicians to avoid accountability to the public.
Conclusion
While most politicians enter public service for honorable reasons, Snollygoster is a useful term to identify those who manipulatively pursue power for selfish interests. Throughout American history, calling out unprincipled Snollygosterism has been one way the people can hold leaders to account. Remaining vigilant for signs of greed and abuse, and enacting reforms, can help ensure government serves the public interest rather than just serving the Snollygosters.