CORRUPT GOVERNMENT -many people saw gov’t job as means of wealth (Local or State Gov’t jobs) -graft : pocketing $ meant for city projects “kickbacks” : kicking back a portion of earnings to the Political Party (Machine) or Party Leaders (Bosses) Fraud
CORRUPT GOVERNMENT -many people saw gov’t job as means of wealth -graft kickbacks Fraud
CORRUPT GOVERNMENT -many people saw gov’t job as means of wealth -graft kickbacks Fraud
POLITICAL MACHINES ? -when a party comes to dominate an area/ city: and control activities in that city -patronage (handing out city jobs or political power in exchange for public support), -loyalty, -graft -why did the public allow this system??? Political Machines provided more services for the Urban Poor- that any city Gov’t before it. -boss controlled many jobs, services
WHY CORRUPTION IS ALLOWED? -most cities lacked services -political machines helped those on bottom to gain their voting loyalty Boss (Political Machine leader) - Controlled access to city jobs, Business licenses Influenced the courts - Used power: build parks, sewer systems, waterworks, gave $ to hospitals, orphanages, schools
WHY CORRUPTION IS ALLOWED? Many Fell to Corruption as influence Grew!: - Fake names, to win elections -fell to graft by asking Federal Gov’t for more money that projects actually costed… -”kickbacking”- a portion of the earnings - Accepted brides to allow illegal activity (such as gambling)
TWEED RING William M Tweed -controlled NYC Tammany Hall ring (Dem. Political Party) (Named after the place they met) lots of graft and corruption (ex. NY City Court: asked for 13 million, actual cost:3 million) counts of fraud - 12 yrs of jail -exposed by political cartoonist Thomas Nast: most powerful cartoonist Coined animal symbols w/ Dem & Rep. Parties Boss Tweed - Thomas Nast - YouTube
OTHER SCANDALS -Credit Mobilier RR scandal -shares of RR given to Congressman -In return C-men approved of Fed. $ to build RR - Making RR company huge & worth lots of $, helping C-men make lots of $ -lobbyists held great influence over Congress for the large trusts (Congress Pocketed the $)
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM -patronage system puts unqualified people in positions (*help candidate get elected= reward of a Gov’t job) -Rutherford Hayes campaigns for political reform -urges the elimination of patronage system and establishment of merit system: Giving Jobs to most qualified
PRESIDENTS AND POLITICS - President Rutherford B. Hayes leads reform efforts Pres. James Garfield continues reforms Garfield assassinated by job seeker who was turned down for a job Chester Arthur becomes President and finally passes… -Pendelton Act passes: a Civil Service System that hires Gov’t officials based on Qualifications, not political connections
TARIFFS DOMINATES POLITICS -Grover Cleveland(1884), Benjamin Harrison(1888), Cleveland again(1892) (Only president to serve 2 Non- consecutive terms) -Tariff and reform are major issues.. Next slide -Tariff reforms fail as McKinley Tariff passes– highest yet
TARIFFS DOMINATES POLITICS -Tariff and reform are major issues Cleveland: won election of 1876, first Democratic Candidate in 28yrs - Tried to lower tariffs High Tariffs: Tax on imports - cost more $ to buy foreign - Big Businesses loved them, bc it would protect their Business by forcing people to by domestic Cleveland unable to lower tariffs Tariff reforms fail as McKinley Tariff passes– highest tariff yet