1. Political Machines the rest of section 3

2. Growing Cities Rapidly growing cities proved difficult to govern. They had to provide: –Fire protection –Police force –Transportation systems –Sewage disposal –Electrical service –Water service –Healthcare

3. Growing Cities New taxes & new offices to govern –Hot competition for these positions –Middle / upper class vs. new immigrants, rural migrants, & workers political machineThen came the political machine. –Unofficial city organization designed to keep a particular group / party in power –Headed by a single powerful “boss”

4. System of favors Jobs & contracts given to local residents in return for their votes. Once in power, a simple contribution to the machine could guarantee favors from the city. –This is called graft.

5. Political Machines Why were these machines so successful? –Many believe it was because of immigrants.

6. Two Bosses George B. Cox (Cincinnati) –Former saloon owner –Elected in 1879 to city council (2 terms) –Very influential “The people do the voting. I simply see that the right candidates are selected.” –Handpicked everyone who held office in the city.

7. Two Bosses William M. Tweed (NYC) –Most notorious of all bosses –Tammany Hall –Ran NYC Democratic Party –Controlled city treasury, very corrupt –Arrested in 1873 –Eventually died in jail