The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the monograph "Honest Graft" by George Washington Plunkitt. Specifically it will discuss the types of graft, and how Plunkitt defines them. It will also look at examples of these types of graft. George Washington Plunkitt was a state senator from New York and a consummate politician. He was also a major player in Tammany Hall in New York City, which was a highly influential (and many believe corrupt) Democratic Party political machine that controlled politics in the city for nearly 200 years. Plunkitt was outspoken and critical of those who were critical of him. He was also brutally honest about the riches to be made in politics. He simply saw his own wealth as a result of graft - but the honest variety that was "OK" to profit from and manipulate ("Tammany Hall"). .

             George Washington Plunkitt declares in his essay, "Honest Graft," there are two distinct types of graft, "honest" and "dishonest." Honest graft entails knowing or recognizing opportunities that are laid out in front of you, and taking them, or as Plunkitt colorfully notes, "'I seen my opportunities and I took 'em'" (Riordin 9). In other words, Plunkitt is not taking bribes, engaging in blackmail, or doing anything dishonest. He simply has information the average person might not have, and it puts it to use in his own best interests. That, in his opinion is honest graft. Dishonest graft uses illegal or immoral means to gain the same opportunities, as Plunkitt continues, "I've not gone in for dishonest graft-blackmailin' gamblers, saloonkeepers, disorderly people, etc.-and neither has any of the men who have made big fortunes in politics" (Riordin 9). Thus, according to Plunkitt, there are two distinct forms of graft, and as an "honorable" man, he only engages in the honest variety. .

             Today, it would be difficult to differentiate between these two forms of opportunism.