Unofficial political organization based on patronage and the spoils system Rely on voter loyalty through bribes and favors Preyed on the immigrants (provided jobs, food and housing) in exchange for votes on election day Existed in large cities like NYC Controlled by a “boss” Seen as corrupt for their unethical and often illegal practices

The most notorious political machine Democrats that controlled New York City politics for decades Under the control of William Marcy Tweed or “Boss Tweed” Relied/preyed on the Irish immigrants Supporters would vote several times in one day…illegal

Obtaining money dishonestly by exploiting political power Form of political corruption A form of reward for being corrupt Tammany Hall collected between $75-$200 million in graft Example: Buying land that will be zoned for commercial use, before this is publicly known, and then selling it for a significant profit Who Stole the People’s Money? T 'Was Him (Tweed)!

Well known example of graft US Congressmen bought land that would be used for the Transcontinental Railroad then sold the land for an outrageous profit $72 million in contracts had been given to Credit Mobilier for building a rail only worth $53 million. Union Pacific and other investors were left nearly bankrupt. Plagued Grant’s 2 nd administration like the Whiskey Ring plagued his 1 st administration

Many believed that the spoils system (patronage) made government inefficient – people are not qualified Start to promote a civil service system in which jobs are given based on expertise Others believed that the removal of spoils system would ruin their party After President Garfield was assassinated by Charles Guiteau because he thought he deserved a government job many people change their mind

Ended the spoils system (patronage) by establishing a Civil Service Commission that wrote a civil service exam If people wanted a government job they had to do well on the exam Created a civil service system in which government employees were qualified to do their jobs, not because they were loyal to a political party

Cartoonist like Joseph Kepler and Thomas Nast exposed the corruptions in government and machine politics.