Mathias "Paddy" Bauler

Mathias "Paddy" Bauler (January 27, 1890 – August 22, 1977) 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.

Early life Mathias Bauler's father was born in Germany and his mother was born in Illinois of German descent. He weighed between 225 and 275 lbs. and claimed that he did not know that his real name was not 'Paddy' until he was six years old. Albert claimed that Bauler was given much money for his campaign by corrupt mob-linked Republican and erstwhile mayor "Big Bill" Thompson, while Bauler's supporters claimed that Albert was a supporter of Prohibition and a Klansman. At the time Bauler was better known for the entertainment he provided at what would later become the De Luxe Gardens.

He was a candidate for 43rd Ward Democratic Committeeman in 1928, along with Rudolph L. Schapp and James J. O'Toole. By 1932 he was a district leader for the 43rd ward.

Saloonkeeping and politics Bauler operated a speakeasy at Willow and Howe streets during prohibition and once prohibition was repealed became the first person to obtain a liquor license in Chicago His two-story political office on North Ave.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." 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". 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."

Family His son was Harry Bauler (1910–1962) who was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives; Harry Bauler died before he was able to take the oath of office.

Legacy

The character of the corrupt alderman John O'Shea from the 1987 film, The Untouchables, was partly modeled after Bauler. Bauler Park in Old Town is named after him.