There are several reasons why the city poor supported William Marcy Tweed. Some of these reasons include:
1. Tweed's social programs: Tweed was known for his public assistance programs, which provided relief and support to the poor and needy in New York City. These programs included food distribution, housing assistance, and job creation. Tweed's social programs were popular among the city poor as they addressed some of the challenges they faced in their daily lives.
2. Tweed's patronage system: Tweed's political machine relied heavily on patronage, a system of rewarding supporters with jobs, contracts, and other benefits in exchange for their political loyalty and support. The city poor benefited from this system as Tweed awarded them with employment and other opportunities, providing them with a source of income and stability.
3. Tweed's charisma: Tweed was a charismatic figure who was known for his charm, generosity, and ability to connect with people from different backgrounds. He often interacted with the city poor and showed genuine concern for their well-being. Tweed's personal appeal and ability to connect with people helped him gain support and loyalty from the city poor.
4. Political manipulation: Tweed and his political machine used various tactics to control elections and manipulate the political system in their favor. These tactics included ballot stuffing, voter fraud, and intimidation, which helped to ensure that Tweed remained in power and maintained control over the political machine. By controlling the political process, Tweed was able to continue implementing his social programs and providing benefits to the city poor, further solidifying their support for him.
It's important to note that not all of the city poor supported Tweed. There were also individuals and groups who criticized his corrupt practices and advocated for reform and change. However, Tweed's social programs, patronage system, personal charisma, and political manipulation allowed him to maintain a significant level of support among the city poor during his time in power.