Chapter 10 Section 1 Reforming Government

Government Corruption Progressive reformers discovered corruption at all levels of government Political machines were linked with the Democratic or Republican state machines. The state machines would make deals with lumber companies, railroads or anyone else seeking tax breaks or other favors. In return for generous gifts and campaign contributions { The term “Millionaire’s Club” was used in the 1800’s to describe members of Congress} Some U.S. senators accepted bribes to vote the way that corporations wanted them to {Writer Lincoln Steffens wrote the book The Shame of the Cities about boss-controlled city government}

Election Reforms Reformers believed that only when the government listens to the people can they can fix the problems facing America They started with the election process First, progressives pushed for the Direct Primary an election in which the voters chose the candidates who later ran in the general election Next, they led Congress to propose the {Seventeenth Amendment which gave voters the power to elect senators directly} {Until the passing of the 17th amendment, members of Congress were elected by state legislatures} They started using the secret ballot so voters would not feel pressured to vote a certain way

Continued… Finally, they urged states to adopt three additional election reform measures: the initiative, the referendum & the recall The initiative gives voters the power to introduce legislation {The referendum states if a certain percentage of voters signs a petition the policy must be put on the ballot for public vote} {The recall enabled voters to remove an elected official from office} by calling for a special election

Reforming City Governments The progressive campaign put some reform mayors into office Samuel M. Jones mayor of Toledo, Ohio in 1897 and another mayor Tom Johnson were two of the most successful reform mayors {Due to a hurricane in Galveston, TX that leveled the city the state legislature established a five person city commission to rebuild the city. These individuals were experts in their fields} not the usual party loyalists. Biased on the new commission being more honest and efficient, Galveston kept the system The desire for increased efficiency led other cities to establish commissions and hire city managers

Hurricane aftermath

Reforming State Government Robert M. La Follette began his political career as a republican district attorney and Congressman. He signaled his break with the party after refusing a bribe from a party boss. Elected governor of Wisconsin in 1900, La Follette backed the {Wisconsin Idea It called for direct elections}, an increase of taxes on railroads and utilities, and to create commissions to regulate these companies for the better of the people. It also backed labor reform and conservation of Wisconsin's natural resources La Follette’s reforms influenced many other state leaders such as New York, Mississippi & Georgia

Robert M. La Follette

Review The term ____________was used in the 1800’s to describe members of Congress Answer: Millionaires Club Who wrote the book The Shame of the Cities about boss-controlled city government Answer: Lincoln Steffens What Amendment which gave voters the power to elect senators directly Answer: 17th amendment Until the passing of the 17th amendment, members of Congress were elected by? Answer: State Legislature

Have a great day… here’s some cool facial hair… just for fun