Frank S. Farley

Frank S. "Hap" Farley (December 1, 1901- September 24, 1977) was a New Jersey State Senator from Atlantic County, New Jersey who exercised considerable power on the local and state levels for several decades. He served for what was then a record 34 years in the New Jersey Legislature and between the early 1940s and the early 1970s was the "boss" of the Republican political machine that controlled the Atlantic City, New Jersey and Atlantic County governments.

Francis Sherman Farley was born December 1, 1901 in Atlantic City, the youngest of ten children born to James and Maria (Clowney) Farley.Johnson, Nelson. "Boardwalk Empire", Medford, N.J., Plexus Publishing, 2002 ISBN 0-937548-49-9] As a youth, teammates gave him the nickname "Happy", which was shortened to "Hap" as he got older. He attended Wenonah Military Academy and the University of Pennsylvania, before graduating from Georgetown Law School in 1925.Kleiman, Dena. [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30917F6395E137B93C7AB1782D85F438785F9&scp=1&sq=Frank%20S.%20Farley,%2075,%20Ex-Legislator%20and%20G.O.P.%20Leader%20in%20Jersey&st=cse "Frank S. Farley, 75, Ex-Legislator And G.O.P. Leader in Jersey, Dies"] , "The New York Times", September 25, 1977. Accessed August 18, 2008.]

In 1937, Farley was elected to represent Atlantic County in the New Jersey Assembly, and in 1940 he was elected to the New Jersey Senate. In 1941, Nucky Johnson, boss of the Atlantic City/Atlantic County Republican political machine, was convicted of income tax evasion and sent to prison. Farley, after a struggle with rival Thomas D. Taggart, Jr., mayor of Atlantic City, succeeded Johnson as the leader of the organization. [ [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70D11F839591A728DDDA10A94DF405B8188F1D3 "TWO HELD SEEKING JOHNSON'S MANTLE; Senator Farley Claims It -- Mayor Taggart Not Talking"] , "The New York Times", July 28, 1941. Accessed August 18, 2008.]

Farley rose through the leadership ranks of the State Senate to become Senate majority leader in January, 1944. ["JERSEY DEMANDS INCOME TAX CURB", "The New York Times", January 12, 1944, p. 25] By early 1945 he was Senate President. ["EDUCATION BILLS PASS JERSEY SENATE", "The New York Times", March 24, 1944, p. 15] As state senator, Farley was president of the "21 Club", which was composed of New Jersey's county Republican chairmen, and which provided a basis for Farley to exert statewide political influence.."In Honor of Fighting Frank Farley", "The New York Times", April 11, 1977, p. 40]

Among the pet projects that Farley actively promoted and was instrumental in accomplishing were Atlantic City Race Course, the Garden State Parkway (which was referred to by North Jersey legislators as "Farley's Folly"), the Atlantic City Expressway (the service plaza of which is now named in his honor), the Atlantic City Marina (now Senator Frank S. Farley State Marina), Stockton State College, and the construction of county community colleges.Farley believed that his political success lay primarily in persuading other legislators “not to hurt us if you can’t help us”, and in treating other legislators the same way.

When Farley entered the New Jersey Senate, each of the state’s twenty-one counties was represented by one senator. This resulted in the smaller counties, which included most South Jersey counties, having a disproportionate amount of power, and Farley was very effective in assembling a majority of the twenty-one senators to support his proposals. Farley’s legislative power was ultimately diluted as a result of the United States Supreme Court’s 1962 decision in "Baker v. Carr", which required that representation in state legislatures be based on population, not counties. As a result, the size of the state senate grew to forty members, with most of the new seats representing districts in North Jersey, and it was much more difficult for Farley to control the legislative process.

Farley served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention starting in 1944, and was instrumental in getting the New Jersey delegation at the 1968 Republican National Convention to switch their support from favorite son Clifford P. Case to Richard Nixon.

In the latter part of Farley’s legislative career, a growing number of Atlantic City activists and leaders proposed the legalization of casino gambling as a way to rebuild the deteriorated city and rejuvenate its declining economy. While he was senator, Farley refused to sponsor casino gambling, a position that some close to him attributed to a desire to avoid the increased scrutiny that gambling would bring to bear on his political machine.

In 1971, he was defeated in his attempt for reelection by Dr. Joseph McGahn, the Democratic candidate. [Carroll, Maurice. [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20813FC3B5C1A7493C1A9178AD95F458785F9&scp=5&sq=McGahn%20farley&st=cse "DEMOCRATIC GAINS POSTED IN JERSEY; G.O.P. Control of Assembly Imperiled and Senate Edge Is Cut -- Farley Beaten Jersey Democrats Score Gains in the Legislature"] , "The New York Times", November 3, 1971. Accessed August 18, 2008.]

In 1972, after Farley left office, the Federal Aviation Administration planned to close the National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center (NAFEC) located in Pomona, New Jersey, which was one of the largest employers in Atlantic County. Farley, at the request of community leaders, went to President Nixon, who intervened, and the facility was not closed.Sardella, Carlo M., "At 74, Farley Reminisces on Politics", "The New York Times", December 7, 1975, p. 129] Today it is known as the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center.

In 1974, supporters of legalized casino gambling in Atlantic City succeeded in having a referendum placed on the New Jersey general election ballot that would have permitted casino gambling throughout the state. After the proposal was soundly defeated by voters, some criticized the failure of proponents of the measure to involve Farley in the effort, ["Outlook Is Bleak For Atlantic City", "The New York Times", November 10, 1974, p. 89.] and Farley also expressed disappointment in not having been involved.

After their defeat in 1974, supporters of gambling regrouped and were successful in placing another referendum on the November 1976 ballot that would permit casino gambling in only Atlantic City. This time, casino proponents were much better organized than they had been in 1974, and they sought the assistance of Farley, who worked extensively behind the scenes. [Sardella, Carlo M., "Atlantic City Bets on Casinos", "The New York Times", July, 18 1976, p.268] Farley successfully urged old political allies in other parts of the state to support the measure and some observers estimated that these efforts resulted in hundreds of thousands of votes in favor of casinos. [Simon, Bryant. "Boardwalk of Dreams", New York, Oxford University Press 2004, ISBN 0-19-516753-8, p. 178] This time the referendum was approved by a wide margin.

Farley married Marie Feyl. He died on September 24, 1977 at his home in Ventnor City, New Jersey. "The New York Times" described Farley as "probably the most powerful legislator in New Jersey history" further noting that he was "an artful negotiator whose backroom wheeling and dealing were legendary", and that he "was credited with pushing through more special legislation for his district, Atlantic City and Atlantic County, than any other legislator".

Further reading

*Johnson, Nelson. "Boardwalk Empire", Medford, N.J., Plexus Publishing, 2002 ISBN 0-937548-49-9. Undoubtedly the best single source of information about Hap Farley.

References