WELCOME TO THE MACHINE

POLITICAL MACHINE  An organization, headed by a single boss that commands enough votes to maintain political and administrative control of a city Notorious in bigger cities New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, ect Three tier system

Tier System

Pros of Political Machines Consolidate power in the hands of a boss Less “red tape” to put up with Provided immigrants with housing, jobs, ect. Mayor Richard J. Daley, Chicago (1955-1976) Argued they gave city governments the power and authority to cope with urban problems effectively

Cons of Political Machines Corruption Fraud Creating fake voters to affect outcome of an election Graft Illegal use of political influence for personal gain Kick backs Taking a portion of earnings for the machine Secretary of War, W.W. Belknap Patronage Giving of government jobs to people who had helped a candidate get elected

Boss Tweed

Boss Tweed Williams M. Tweed (1823-1878) Boss of Tammany Hall Powerful Democratic political machine in New York Tweed Ring US House Representative (1853-1855) Stole $25-$45 million from tax payer dollars Arrested 1874 Released after a year, arrested again, escaped, captured in Spain

Civil Service Reform President James A. Garfield (R 1881) Gave most of his patronage jobs to reformers Assassinated 4 months into presidency by a stalwart Died 2 months later President Chester A. Arthur (R 1881-1885) Stalwart Surprised many by favoring reform Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883) Created examinations for applicants to take before they can be placed in certain government jobs

Who is the only US President to serve two non consecutive terms? Answer: GROVER CLEVELAND

Grover Cleveland (D 1893-1897) First Democrat elected President since the Civil War Former Governor of New York (1883-1885) Tariffs Republicans wanted them raised Higher tariffs protected American industry Lower tariffs made products more affordable for consumers Cleveland wanted to lower them Loses election to Benjamin Harrison (R 1889-1893) Defeats Harrison in 1892 election

McKinley Tariff Act 1890 Passed under the Harrison administration Raised tariffs on manufactured goods from 38% to 49.5% Highest they had ever been Cleveland supported lowering it Failed to do so to prevent establishment of a federal income tax

Big Business in Politics Politicians turn to businesses Harrison’s campaign financed largely by big companies They wanted higher tariffs to protect their goods Cleveland and J.P. Morgan strike a deal U.S. gold supplies running low U.S. would sell gold bonds to Morgan and Wall Street associates at a discount Morgan would help to prevent gold from leaving the treasury Cost Cleveland support in his own party

Current Event Assignment Research money in politics today Citizens United, Super PACs, big business, ect Compare to the rise of business in politics in the late 1800s How is it similar How is it different Do you believe money in politics is a good or bad thing? 1 page