Section 3 Politics in the Gilded Age Mark Twain describes the excesses of the late 19th century. He mocks the greed and self-indulgence of the time period. The glittering exterior of the age hides a corrupt political core and a growing gap between the rich and the poor. Chapter 7 Section 3 Politics in the Gilded Age

A New Power Structure Political Machine – an organized group that controls the activities of a political party in a city. It offered services to voters and businesses in exchange for political or financial support Pyramid organization Captains – tried to gain voters’ support on a city block Ward Boss – in charge of captains, gained the votes of the poor through favors or services City Boss- controlled all the activities of the political party in the city

Political Bosses Controlled city jobs and licenses Influenced city agencies and courts What motivated city bosses? Money Solving urban problems ensures future votes Most captains and bosses were 1st or 2nd generation immigrants Not highly educated Worked their way up Understood the problems of the immigrants in the city and helped them with citizenship, jobs, etc.

Municipal Graft and Scandal Election Fraud and Graft Tweed Ring Scandal Graft – the illegal use of political influence for personal gain “kickbacks” – illegal payments for services Police usually hired by party bosses Voter fraud William “Boss” Tweed – head of Tammany Hall, New York’s Democratic political machine New York County Courthouse costs tax payers $10 million more than actual cost Thomas Nast political cartoons led to end of “Tweed Ring” Boss Tweed sentenced to 12 years

Civil Service Replaces Patronage Patronage – giving of government jobs to people who had helped a candidate get elected Often government employees were not qualified or misused their power Jobs in Civil Service ( government administration), should go to most qualified President Rutherford B. Hayes (1876) – named independents to his cabinet, formed commissions to investigate corruption July 2, 1881 President Garfield shot by Charles Guiteau, a Stalwart. Stalwart- wants to continue patronage or the spoils system New President Chester Arthur signs the Pendleton Service Act of 1883 – federal jobs based on candidates’ performance on an exam

Pendleton Civil Service Act Negatives Positives Big Business becomes closer to government Competent and honest federal employees Big business wants high tariffs that protect domestic products against foreign competition 1888 President Harrison funded by big business and signs the …. McKinley Tariff Act- raises tariffs