Sulzer 's career in politics began in 1884 when he worked for the Tammany Hall political machine on New York 's East Side as a stump speaker for various Democratic campaigns including the presidential campaign of then-Governor Grover Cleveland Sulzer was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1890 , 1891 , 1892 ( all three New York Co. , 14th D. ) , 1893 and 1894 ( both New York Co. , 10th D. ) . His participation in the machine helped assure that he was appointed to the Committee on General Laws in his first term . During his time in the Assembly he introduced bills seeking to abolish debtors ' prisons , and to limit hours for workers . His popularity and loyalty to Tammany machine were such that in 1893 , Tammany Boss Richard Croker selected Sulzer to be elected as Speaker of the New York State Assembly . The term was noted as being highly corrupt and highly partisan , as the Democratic machine dominated all committees , and with them the state budget . Sulzer himself declared during the term " A ll legislation came from Tammany Hall and was dictated by that great statesmen , Richard Croker . " During his time in the Assembly , Sulzer was a delegate to the 1892 Democratic National Convention , and returned as such to every national convention until 1912
1892 Democratic National Convention
1892 Democratic National Convention
William Sulzer