In "Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898," Mike Wallace illustrates how Mayor Wood found himself rejected by the elite class, yet he gained a strong following among organized laborers. This support stemmed from a collective dissatisfaction with the wealthy's handling of economic issues, particularly during times of crisis.

Ira B. Davis criticized the hypocrisy of the upper class and the Democratic faction, pointing out their silence during the state’s financial support for banks, while they chastised Wood and the working class for similar actions. This dual standard highlighted the moral contradictions in how society viewed the upper class versus the working class's responses to economic distress.