National corruption before 1900 Rule of righteous: 1620-1790 Government by gentry: 1790-1828 Government by the humble: 1828-1864 (Jackson and the spoils system)
Post- Civil War period (1865-1900) Grant administration – remembered for a lot of scandal: Credit Mobilier Sanborn Contracts Whiskey Ring Star Routes
Common theme in corruption of scandals through end of Civil War President’s ASSOCIATES were the ones who enjoyed financial benefits from modernization (support for modernization theory of corruption) – opportunities that come from a growing and expanding country and economy with gov’t playing increasing role in trade (customs offices), railroads (financing building of RRs), communications (post offices) Fuels movement for civil service reform
Doss and Ross reading #7 in coursepack Anti-corruption reform in 1800s – fueled by scandals discussed earlier Main effort: Pendleton Act (1883) Public officials can’t raise campaign donations on government property Government employees should be selected by competitive exams (civil service/merit system), but at first applied to only 10% of federal government jobs. Presidents can add new jobs to civil service Technical expertise replaces political loyalty as the main qualification for public service
Political machines – Heyday = late 19th/early 20th century Definition of machine: Johnston- “A party organization within which power is highly centralized” and “The followers/members are motivated and rewarded by divisible material incentives”
Origins of machine What allows machines to grow and flourish? * immigration * rapid growth of cities (urbanization) * chaotic electoral/administration procedures