In "The Majesty of the Law," the author goes into the ongoing struggle between raw power and the principles of the rule of law, centering its story on Robert Moses and his quest to build a state park system on Long Island. The narrative opens with a pointed quote from Commodore Vanderbilt—“Law? What do I care for law? Hain’t I got the power?”—immediately framing the chapter’s central question: What happens when those with influence try to sidestep or overpower legal boundaries? This tension runs throughout the chapter, prompting readers to consider how justice, governance, and public trust are shaped by the ways in which the law is applied—or ignored—by the powerful.
From this philosophical starting point, the chapter quickly grounds itself in the practical challenges Moses faced in the early 1920s. With only a small initial budget, Moses set out to create a network of state parks. He wasted no time establishing a plush office, hiring friends, and spending freely on administrative costs, despite having previously criticized such patronage. When it came to acquiring land, Moses alternated between persuasion and pressure. He could be charming with cooperative landowners, but he didn’t hesitate to threaten lawsuits or use condemnation proceedings against those who resisted, as seen in his confrontations with the Rasweiler family. This mix of tactics reveals the complicated balance between Moses’ personal ambition, political skill, and his willingness to bulldoze opposition for the sake of his vision.
As Moses’ plans expanded, they began to clash with the interests of Long Island’s wealthy elite. One notable conflict erupted when Moses set his sights on land owned by members of the exclusive Timber Point Club. The club’s members, hoping to sell the property to select buyers, suddenly found themselves outmaneuvered. Moses, leveraging his authority, seized the land, brushed aside ongoing negotiations, and used threats of bad press and even eviction to intimidate the club’s leaders. The arrival of armed state troopers to enforce his decision drove home the point: power, when combined with political backing and media savvy, can easily bend legal norms.
The chapter goes on to describe Moses’ even grander ambitions, such as the proposed Northern State Parkway, which would cut through the estates of some of the nation’s wealthiest families. Names like Mrs. Henry Phipps, Payne Whitney, and Otto Kahn appear, highlighting the formidable obstacles Moses faced. These landowners were stunned to find surveyors marking paths through their properties, sparking a series of legal and political battles. Moses responded bluntly, telling them that cooperation might spare their homes, but resistance would lead to land being taken right up to their doorsteps.
Legal challenges soon followed, with critics focusing on Moses’ use of state law to seize land without proper negotiation or available funds. Despite intense lobbying and alternative proposals from the estate owners, Governor Al Smith ultimately backed Moses. The turning point came when one estate owner dismissed city visitors as “rabble,” a term Smith, who came from humble beginnings, embraced as a badge of honor. This moment reframed the conflict as not just a legal or property dispute, but a clash of class and public interest.
The fight over the Taylor Estate became a drawn-out legal and political battle, threatening Moses’ career and stalling park development for nearly two years. The dispute played out in the legislature, the courts, and the press, with Moses and Smith casting themselves as defenders of the public good against privileged elites. Moses skillfully shaped public opinion, helped by supportive coverage from outlets like The New York Times, positioning himself as a champion of ordinary people—even as he pushed the limits of legality.
Despite these efforts, Moses and Smith ran into serious roadblocks. The Republican-controlled legislature refused to approve funds retroactively, and court hearings revealed both the lack of available money and the questionable legality of Moses’ actions. Legal delays bought some time, but ultimately the courts ruled that the necessary funds hadn’t been appropriated when the land was seized, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the whole process.
By the chapter’s end, Moses faced mounting resistance from local boards, civic groups, and political bosses. Failed referendums and expired land options threatened to derail his vision, while private developers snapped up land at a rapid pace. It seemed as if Moses’ dream of a statewide park system was on the verge of collapse. Yet, the narrative hints that his relentless determination and political maneuvering were far from spent, suggesting that a dramatic turnaround was still possible.
Ultimately, the chapter uses Robert Moses’ story to bring to life the complicated relationship between power and the law. It highlights the difficulties of making public policy in the face of entrenched interests and underscores the ongoing struggle to ensure that the law truly serves the greater good.