Joseph McGrath (American politician)

[3] As council president, McGrath served as acting mayor when James Michael Curley was out of the city.

[5] Although he was a political lieutenant of James Michael Curley, he was accepted by other leaders of the Democratic Party because he worked devotedly for the entire ticket.

Under his leadership, the Massachusetts Democratic Party built up the best organization they had ever had to that point and by the time of his departure only a few towns remained unorganized.

Ely, however, would join the American Liberty League and support Republican Alf Landon for President.

His funeral was attended by a number of dignitaries, including Francis X. Hurley, David I. Walsh, John W. McCormack, James Michael Curley, Philip J. Philbin, Thomas A. Flaherty, Edmund J. Brandon, John F. Fitzgerald, Joseph Timilty, Thomas J. Buckley, William H. Burke, Jr., and Maurice J.