Copyright © 2007 by Bedford/St. Martin’s Roark Johnson Cohen Stage Lawson Hartmann

Presidential Politics in the Gilded Age  Corruption and Party Strife The political corruption continued to trouble the nation in the 1880s. The political corruption continued to trouble the nation in the 1880s. A small but determined group of reformers, concerned that powerful business interests often contrived to control state legislatures and, through them, U.S. Senators, championed a new ethics that would preclude politicians from getting rich from public office. A small but determined group of reformers, concerned that powerful business interests often contrived to control state legislatures and, through them, U.S. Senators, championed a new ethics that would preclude politicians from getting rich from public office.

Presidential Politics in the Gilded Age  Corruption and Party Strife President Rutherford B. Hayes, whose disputed election victory in 1876 signaled the end of Reconstruction in the South, tried to steer a middle course between reformers and spoilsmen. President Rutherford B. Hayes, whose disputed election victory in 1876 signaled the end of Reconstruction in the South, tried to steer a middle course between reformers and spoilsmen.

Presidential Politics in the Gilded Age  Corruption and Party Strife Party bosses dominated national politics: Roscoe Conkling headed the "Stalwarts,” Party bosses dominated national politics: Roscoe Conkling headed the "Stalwarts,”

Presidential Politics in the Gilded Age  Corruption and Party Strife James G. Blaine led the "Half-Breeds” James G. Blaine led the "Half-Breeds”

Presidential Politics in the Gilded Age  Corruption and Party Strife the "Mugwumps," consisting primarily of reform-minded Republicans, constituted a third faction. the "Mugwumps," consisting primarily of reform-minded Republicans, constituted a third faction.

Presidential Politics in the Gilded Age  Corruption and Party Strife The Republicans nominated a darkhorse candidate, James A. Garfield, and a Stalwart, Chester A. Arthur, to be his running mate. The Republicans nominated a darkhorse candidate, James A. Garfield, and a Stalwart, Chester A. Arthur, to be his running mate.

Presidential Politics in the Gilded Age  Garfield’s Assassination and Civil Service Reform After less than four months in office, Garfield was assassinated by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker who claimed to be motivated by political partisanship.After less than four months in office, Garfield was assassinated by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker who claimed to be motivated by political partisanship.

Presidential Politics in the Gilded Age  Garfield’s Assassination and Civil Service Reform The public demanded reform.The public demanded reform. Reform came with the passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Act in 1883.Reform came with the passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Act in 1883.

Presidential Politics in the Gilded Age  Reform and Scandal: The Campaign of 1884 James G. Blaine won the Republican nomination in 1884.James G. Blaine won the Republican nomination in Grover Cleveland won the Democratic nominationGrover Cleveland won the Democratic nomination

Presidential Politics in the Gilded Age  Reform and Scandal: The Campaign of 1884 Reform-minded Republicans who considered Blaine the personification of political corruption left the party and embraced the Democrats' candidate, Grover ClevelandReform-minded Republicans who considered Blaine the personification of political corruption left the party and embraced the Democrats' candidate, Grover Cleveland