Nicholas J. Hayes (1856 – January 3, 1928) was a politician from New York City and one of the powers of the Democratic Party's Tammany Hall political machine for 30 years.

[1] According to an obituary in the New York Sun, Hayes "had a way of getting along pleasantly – a bland, ingratiating way which was to smooth the road for him in politics and soon became a protégé of Tammany Hall boss Richard Croker.

That was also the year that Hayes wrested the leadership of the 33rd Assembly District in eastern Harlem from former Police Justice William H. Burke after an intense fight.

After the defeat, Cotillo, supported by the increasing ethnic Italian-American vote, made a deal with Hayes that gave Little Italy a political foothold in the city.

[1] Hayes was appointed the third Fire Commissioner of New York City by Mayor George B. McClellan, Jr. on January 1, 1904, and served in that position until his resignation on December 31, 1905.

During his first term as Fire Commissioner, Hayes was blamed for being responsible for the purchase of inferior hose that had caused the deaths of three firefighters and the collapse of the 13-story Parker Building in January 1908.

The revolt against his leadership in 1910 by Lazarus and Cottilo was based on the belief that Hayes had grown so well-to-do that he had lost touch with his constituency in the poor district.

[1] Heart disease ended his life on January 3, 1928, at his home in 57 East 19th Street in Manhattan, New York City, 72 years old, while he was the acting Commissioner of Water Supply.