Politics in the Gilded Age What contributes to the rise of the “political machine”?

The Political Machine 1) Citizens feel local govt doesn’t provide enough jobs, financial aid, protection, sanitation, etc. 2) Political Machines take over a political party and run city, give their friends jobs in the city 3) Political Machine provides services in exchange for votes (for their candidates) and money 4) Political Machines take over Baltimore, NY, Chicago, San Francisco and other major cities

- Political Machines organized like a pyramid city boss Tell politicians what to do In charge large section of city ward bosses In charge of smaller sections of ward precinct captains Work for captains precinct workers

Immigrants and the Political Machine - Constituents (voters) are often immigrants - Bosses and precinct captains often 1st or 2nd generation immigrants themselves - Knew the language, culture, and what was needed

Corruption in the Machines - Political Machines stay in power due to fraud and graft Fraud: deliberate deception. Ex: sometimes cheated to win elections by voting more than once -Graft :using political influence for financial gain Ex: Bribes - businesses offered money to get city contracts Ex: Kickbacks - when city paid companies they “kicked-back” some of the money to the official who gave them the job

William M. Tweed “Boss Tweed” -1860s & 70s: Tweed is City Boss, runs Tammany Hall, a Democratic Political Machine -Estimated Tweed stole up to $300 million -Eventually indicted on 120 counts of fraud and extortion but escaped to Spain while waiting for trial

Reform Movement: Civil Service Act To stop corruption, Pres Hayes wants people to take civil service exam for gov jobs, appoints commission to investigate pol. machines NY Senator Roscoe Conklin & his Stalwart supporters upset at Hayes Hayes doesn’t run for re-election, James Garfield is Republican candidate Garfield promises reform but chooses Chester Arthur as VP (a Conklin supporter) 7/2/1881: Garfield is assassinated Arthur becomes reformer & puts civil service law into effect