Progressive Legislation Chapter 11 section 2 Progressive Legislation

Progressives seek expanded role for government Most progressives opposed government control of businesses, except for companies that supplied essential services. Social welfare programs were sought by progressives so that government could ensure a basic standard of living for all. Social welfare programs include unemployment benefits, accident and health insurance, and a social security system for the elderly and disabled. Progressives wanted efficient programs managed by professionals not politicians.

Municipal Reforms Many of the earliest Progressive reforms were made at the city, or municipal level. Most municipal reformers worked for home rule (i.e. a limited degree of self-government for cities.) Some reformers held negative views of immigrants who they believed were responsible for many city problems. Municipal reformers aimed to end government corruption. Municipal reformers wanted a civil service system based on merit not spoils.

Restricting the power of political machines was usually left to municipal reformers. Natural disasters often led to the development of new and more efficient forms of municipal government, such as the commission form and the council-manager form. Reformers wanted to provide citizens with more affordable services by transferring control of urban utilities to the city government.

State Reforms Reformers hoped to end corruption by giving voters a more direct say in legislation/lawmaking. Prior to the progressive movement candidates for public office were traditionally picked by party leaders. Robert La Follette a reform governor from Wisconsin instituted the use of the direct primary. A direct primary is an election in which voters cast ballots to select nominees for upcoming elections.

Direct Democracy Direct democracy is where the citizens directly influence the laws. The initiative and the referendum are examples of direct democracy. The initiative is a process that enables voters to propose new laws. The referendum allows voters to approve or reject a law passed by he legislature.

More democratic reforms Though not direct democracy the recall is a procedure which enables voters to remove public officials from office before the next election. Direct democracy exists only at the local and state levels, there is no direct democracy at the federal level.

Rights of private property and the right to make contracts versus the police power of the state to protect the citizens. Attempts to regulate industry involved the legal dispute over the business owner’s right to make contracts with employees and their right of private property versus the federal government’s police power to protect the welfare of citizens. As a result of Progressive reforms & the work of Florence Kelley many states abolished child labor.

Federal Reforms Beginning with President Theodore Roosevelt in 1901, the White House became a stronger voice for change. When the United Mine Workers called a strike in 1902, President Roosevelt called for arbitration. When Roosevelt used the phrase a “square deal” in the coal miners strike it became a slogan for his presidency.

Roosevelt’s Progressivism Roosevelt was the first President to actively enforce the Sherman Antitrust Act. His administration filed 42 antitrust actions. He did not want to destroy trusts that did not harm the public. But he believed government should regulate them. The Hepburn Act authorized the Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate railroad rates. With the Hepburn Act the ICC became the first true regulatory agency.

Upton Sinclair’s novel “The Jungle” exposed dangerous workplace conditions in the meatpacking industry. As a result of muckraker writings like “The Jungle” President Roosevelt and congress responded with the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act. The Pure Food and Drug Act banned interstate shipping of impure food and deliberate mislabeling of food and drugs. The Meat Inspection Act required federal inspection of meat processing to ensure sanitary conditions.

Under Roosevelt a Cabinet level Department of Labor was added in 1913. The new Department of Labor supported legislation that would benefit both women & children. Roosevelt named Gifford Pinchot to head a new U.S. Forest Service. At Pinchot’s recommendation Roosevelt set aside 200 million acres for national forests, mineral reserves, and water projects. With these moves Roosevelt supported the goals of conservationists (people concerned with the care and protection of the environment).

Progressives & the Constitution During the Progressive Era, constitutional restraints on federal power gradually diminished. The 16th Amendment ratified in 1913 authorized Congress to collect a federal income tax. The 16th Amendment enabled the government to get more revenues from people with higher incomes. The 17th Amendment required the direct election of U.S. Senators. (ratified 1913)

Prohibition In 1919 the 18th Amendment banned the production, sale or import of alcoholic beverages. Not all Progressives favored Prohibition, but many thought it would protect society from the poverty and violence associated with drinking.