The Political Machine
McLaughlin did not mind inflicting pain. In August 1928, one of the inner circle of officials, Fred Fowler, city clerk, decided to challenge the McLaughlin machine. He ran for county collector but he had not gotten permission to do so. Fowler thought it would be okay because he worked hard and did his job well. He was mistaken. Pink slips went out and Fowler lost. He decided to seek permission for another position and was ignored by McLaughlin. Eventually Fowler lost his position and political career, thanks to McLaughlin.
McLaughlin had informants in every city department. If one criticized him or the administration, they could lose their job.
In 1929, city engineer Cleveland Smith considered running for mayor. McLaughlin received word of this and dismissed Smith from his position. Smith, now determined, ran for mayor. McLaughlin again manipulated the poll taxes to his benefit by bussing 300 African Americans from outside towns to vote in his ward.
No one tried to run against McLaughlin in 1931, because of intimidation and McLaughlin's work around the city. In addition to completing work others had not, he turned down a pay raise. He was getting plenty from his gambling cut.
Some still resisted McLaughlin, disapproving of the open nature of the town. The anti-McLaughlin forces tried to get the well-liked Martin Eisele, a model citizen, to replace McLaughlin. He refused, having no wish to run against Mayor McLaughlin.