Politics in the Gilded Age

Reformers Identify Problems Jacob Riis “How the Other Half Lives”

Other Critics Lincoln Steffens “The Shame of Cities” 1904 Gathered examples of government corruption into one book. Had run previously in McClure’s magazine

Tammany Hall Name for democratic party HQ in NY Party machine—patronage—largely Irish William Marcy “Boss” Tweed

Graft the acquisition of gain (as money) in dishonest or questionable ways; also : illegal or unfair gain George Plunkett (another Boss): “There’s nothing wrong with a little honest graft.”

Nast-y Thomas Nast—Political Cartoonist Harper’s Weekly Frequently targeted Tweed and others…

I don't care a straw for your newspaper articles, my constituents don't know how to read, but they can't help seeing them damned pictures. Boss Tweed Boss Tweed

Other Nast Credits

Social Reform Why need it? 9% of population controlled 71% of the wealth 1 in 10 lived in slums

Gospel of Wealth Carnegie Fortunate few deserve the extra $ $ will trickle down to the masses eventually Education and culture benefits Libraries and Carnegie Hall are proof!

State boards of charity Some states organized charities to meet needs of people Riis photographs—empty jails house homeless

Social Gospel Movement Active Christianity Women with college degrees Creation of settlement houses Skills, education, recreation Hull House in Chicago—Jane Addams Catholic Church follows as well

Corruption at the National Level Product of Jackson’s Spoils System Patronage New York Customs House—collects tariff

Rutherford B. Hayes Couldn’t convince Congress to pass reform

Stalwarts vs. Half-breeds Republican Party election 1880— James Garfield (no position on reform) as P and Chet Arthur (Stalwart) as VP Garfield assassinated by Charles Guiteau

Reform! Arthur turns to reform Pendleton Civil Service Act 1883 Jobs on merit not pay 10% 40% by 1900

Tariff Question Merit system forced politicians to find new sources of $--business 1884 D Cleveland wants to lower the tariff—Congress won’t support 1888 Harrison wins (with business backing) and McKinley tariff is highest ever 1892 Cleveland gets passage of lower tariff (Wilson- Gorman)—comes with income tax, refuses to sign— Income tax later found unconstitutional 1897 William McKinley president and tariff increased again