Detroit City Government
Saloon Politics
Saloons were the source of endless maudlin dramas of drunken husbands, deserted wives and broken families. In one court proceeding, the wife declared: "He was a shiftless man who didn't care what happened as long as he could have his cigars and sit in saloons and play cards." Even so, the Saloon was the political gathering place for common Detroiters. The Detroit bar Sharp's was known as "a sporting and political headquarters." From 1908 to 1917, one notorious saloon was owned by Billy Boushaw in the first precinct of the first ward. Boushaw called himself "King of the precinct" and "foist of the foist." His saloon and boarding house (actually a flophouse for sailors) were at 111 and 115 Atwater Street; he lived above the saloon. Boushaw helped down and out "floaters" and dock workers in the infamous river precinct and in return got their votes. It was said that he controlled the 1914 Detroit city election. A 1908 newspaper editorial voiced its opinion of Boushaw:
"Probably the most startling thing that would catch the eye of the most casual observer is the condition of affairs in the first precinct of the first ward, where ex-convicts, thugs, thieves and booze grafters swarm the election booth and rule the day. … It is notable that no less than 27 votes were enrolled from Billy Boushaw's tough lodging house and saloon. … For the most part it is a tough set that frequent the place — scum."
"Probably the most startling thing that would catch the eye of the most casual observer is the condition of affairs in the first precinct of the first ward, where ex-convicts, thugs, thieves and booze grafters swarm the election booth and rule the day. … It is notable that no less than 27 votes were enrolled from Billy Boushaw's tough lodging house and saloon. … For the most part it is a tough set that frequent the place — scum."