DUFFY, Thomas T.

Thomas T. Duffy. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding.

DUFFY, Thomas T. (Unknown-Omaha, NB, Aug. 24,1926). MAYOR. Duffy came to Dubuque in the 1870s and worked for various local newspapers in their editorial departments. In 1875 he was appointed editor of the Dubuque Evening News. When that newspaper ceased publication, he returned to working for his former competitors. He was also elected Justice of the Peace for Julien Township. Duffy was prominent in the Irish Land League and lived in the southern part of Dubuque where as "Squire" Duffy he enjoyed considerable prestige.

In 1895 while serving his last term as Justice of the Peace, Duffy was nominated by the Citizen's Party for the office of mayor. It was at that time that the Democratic Party was split over the so called "salary graft" at the DUBUQUE CITY HALL during the administration of Mayor Peter OLINGER. Supported by Democrats who withdrew from their party and endorsed by the Republicans, Duffy won by a large majority on the promise of being a reformer.

Duffy served two terms as mayor of Dubuque. It was during his administration that the question of municipal ownership of the Water Works was set before the people as a referendum. In 1896 faced with many injury claims from defective sidewalks, Duffy suggested that the mayor should be given the power to appoint a sidewalk inspector and be responsible for the work of the employee. The inspector was not only to find the defects but repair them. (1) The presidential election of 1896 was an historical event in Dubuque. For the first time, many businesses in the city arranged for the telegraph company to run a wire through which election returns could be carried. The opera houses charged admission for the curious. This eliminated the newspaper offices being crowded the following morning for news. (2) The original DUBUQUE RESCUE MISSION was started.

It was during his first term that dissatisfaction with the DUBUQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT led to efforts to organize a merchants' police force. Under attack by the Dubuque Daily Herald for not pursuing criminals and places of known criminal activity, he challenged the paper to provide him with addresses. (3) When the Times and Telegraph were found to be in agreement, the Dubuque Herald called for an investigation of the police. (4) The Herald was also interested in the mayor's explanation of a $61,000 increase in the floating debt of the city without any apparent cause during his first months in office. (5)

On December 18, 1896 the Dubuque Herald reported more interest from Marshal Morgan in pursuing what it considered to be criminals. The paper noted that "a few thoughts of swore duty unperformed have apparently filtered through his rusty intellectuals with gratifying results. (6)

On January 4, 1897 twenty businessmen asked the council for additional police officers to patrol the railroad yards. Thievery in the area, according to the railroads, was a duty of the city. Duffy advised the council of the need to increase the size of the force to protect this area as well as the residential area. (7) At a subsequent meeting, the idea to increase the force was tabled in favor of having the police on duty until 5:00 a.m. when they would report to the police station. (8)

The future of Dubuque's special charter was of major interest during Duffy's first term with a committee being chosen to lobby the Iowa Legislature not to change the form of government. (9)

Duffy was re-elected in 1897, but declined a third term. He returned to newspaper work and moved to Omaha in 1905 to live with relatives.

Other events that occurred during his terms as mayor can be found by entering the years of his service in the search function on this encyclopedia.

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Source:

1. City Council," Dubuque Herald, November 3, 1896, p. 8

2. "To Get Returns," Dubuque Herald, November 3, 1896, p. 3

3. "Mayor Duffy," Dubuque Daily Herald, November 29, 1896, p. 8

4. "Demand Investigation," Dubuque Herald, December 3, 1896, p. 4

5. "Dubuque's Debt," Dubuque Herald, December 11, 1896, p. 4

6. " 'Reform' Coming," Dubuque Herald, December 18, 1896, p. 8

7. "More Protection," Dubuque Herald, January 5, 1897, p. 8

8. "The Police Force," Dubuque Herald, January 6, 1897, p. 8

9. "Charter Question." Dubuque Herald, January 28, 1897, p. 8