page_title: Paddy Bauler
section_title: Saloonkeeping and politics
hierarchical_section_title: Paddy Bauler / Saloonkeeping and politics
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context_page_description: Mathias 'Paddy' Bauler was an American saloonkeeper and alderman of the 43rd ward of Chicago from 1933 to 1943 and again from 1947 to 1967. He was known as a corrupt, controversial and charismatic Chicago political boss and is famous for the quote, "Chicago ain't ready for reform yet", or "Chicago ain't ready for a reform mayor" which he exclaimed many times over while dancing a jig in his saloon upon the news of Richard J. Daley's first election as mayor of Chicago in 1955. Mayor Daley banned Bauler from attending public functions for a time shortly after the quote was published. He was the brother of Herman and John Bauler, who had respectively been aldermen from 1909 to 1911 and 1912 to 1920 when the area was part of the 22nd ward.
context_section_description: Bauler operated a speakeasy at Willow and Howe streets during prohibition and once prohibition was repealed became the first person to obtain a liquor license in Chicago His two-story political office on North Ave. and Sedgwick avenues was also a saloon called De Luxe Gardens.
  Bauler was known as a corrupt politician and against reform. In addition to his infamous assertion of Chicago's unpreparedness for reform, has been quoted as saying that one reformer was "[...] so dumb he probably thinks the forest preserve is some kind of jelly." He had been accused of being a "political power that protects graft, gambling, vice and other lawlessness."  In 1933 he shot two Chicago police officers (non-lethally) because, in his words "...they swore at me and called me a fat Dutch pig". Bauler was cleared from any wrongdoing. Mayor Kelly was quoted as saying that Bauler "Was a real straight-shooter". From an early age he was also friends with Charlie Weber, who played a prominent role in the politics of the area and would eventually serve as alderman for the nearby 45th ward from 1955 to his death in 1960.
  He was also known for his charisma. Despite being himself of German extraction, he would often play the role of a "Jolly Irishman" to further his political ambitions. On his retirement as an Alderman in 1966, he was asked how he stayed in office so long and replied "There ain't a thing they ask me that I don't try to do."
caption: The former two story office and saloon on Sedgwick and North Avenues as photographed circa 1966 after a fire. A painted advertisement for Bauler can be seen in this photo on the wall above the building.
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