1

Politics in the Gilded Age

Local and national political corruption in the 19th century leads to calls for reform.

Political machine—organized group that

controls city political party After the Civil War Political Machines control

many cities Machine organization: precinct captains, ward

bosses, city boss City bosses guaranteed their candidates were

elected and city government went their way.

Political Machines

4

Controlled access to city jobs, business Influenced courts Arranged building projects, community

services Bosses were paid by businesses, get voters’

loyalty Many were 1st or 2nd generation immigrants Machines help immigrants with

naturalization, jobs, housing

Political Bosses

Corruption

Machines use fraud to win elections

Graft—illegal use of political influence for personal gain

Machines take kickbacks, bribes to allow legal, illegal activities

Tweed Ring

1868 William M. Tweed, or Boss Tweed, heads Tammany Hall in NYC

Leads Tweed Ring, defrauds city of millions of dollars

Cartoonist Thomas Nast helps arouse public outrage

Tweed Ring broken in 1871

7

Thomas Nast

Boss Tweed

APPENDIX A-Analyze the political cartoon.

Patronage (or the “spoils system”)—

government jobs to those who help candidate get elected Lifeblood of both parties disbursing jobs by the

bucketful in return for VOTES! Civil service (government administration) are

all patronage jobs Some appointees not qualified; some use

position for personal gain

Patronage

Members of the federal government also participated in

unethical activity. (1872) The Credit Mobilier scandal -Union Pacific RR insiders

formed the Credit Mobilier construction company and then hired themselves at inflated prices to build the railroad line earning a lot of money.

The company paid off members of Congress and the Vice President. Reformers and Half-Breeds (Republicans who wanted reform)

press for a merit system of hiring for civil service Republican President Rutherford B Hayes (1877-1881)

names independents to cabinet & creates commission to investigate corruption

fires officials; angers Stalwarts (Republicans who opposed reform)

Civil Service Reform

Garfield Assassinated

1880, Republican independent James A. Garfield wins election Stalwart Chester A. Arthur

is vice-president Garfield gives patronage jobs to

reformers; A disappointed and mentally

deranged “office seeker,” Charles J. Guiteau, shot President Garfield in the back at a Washington railroad station.

Charles Guiteau:“I Am a Stalwart, and Arthur is President now!”

As president, Arthur urges Congress to

pass civil service law Garfield's assassination spurs passage

of the Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)

The “Magna Carta” of civil-service reform

Appointments based on exam score

Reform Begins

APPENDIX B: Analyze the excerpt from the

Pendleton Act to complete question.

Document Analysis