1. Section 3 Politics in the Gilded Age
Mark Twain describes the excesses of the late 19th century. He mocks the greed and self-indulgence of the time period.
The glittering exterior of the age hides a corrupt political core and a growing gap between the rich and the poor.
Chapter 7
Section 3
Politics in the Gilded Age

2. A New Power Structure
Political Machine – an organized group that controls the activities of a political party in a city.
It offered services to voters and businesses in exchange for political or financial support
Pyramid organization
Captains – tried to gain voters’ support on a city block
Ward Boss – in charge of captains, gained the votes of the poor through favors or services
City Boss- controlled all the activities of the political party in the city

3. Political Bosses Controlled city jobs and licenses
Influenced city agencies and courts
What motivated city bosses?
Money
Solving urban problems ensures future votes
Most captains and bosses were 1st or 2nd generation immigrants
Not highly educated
Worked their way up
Understood the problems of the immigrants in the city and helped them with citizenship, jobs, etc.

4. Municipal Graft and Scandal
Election Fraud and Graft
Tweed Ring Scandal
Graft – the illegal use of political influence for personal gain
“kickbacks” – illegal payments for services
Police usually hired by party bosses
Voter fraud
William “Boss” Tweed – head of Tammany Hall, New York’s Democratic political machine
New York County Courthouse costs tax payers $10 million more than actual cost
Thomas Nast political cartoons led to end of “Tweed Ring”
Boss Tweed sentenced to 12 years

8. Civil Service Replaces Patronage
Patronage – giving of government jobs to people who had helped a candidate get elected
Often government employees were not qualified or misused their power
Jobs in Civil Service ( government administration), should go to most qualified
President Rutherford B. Hayes (1876) – named independents to his cabinet, formed commissions to investigate corruption
July 2, 1881 President Garfield shot by Charles Guiteau, a Stalwart.
Stalwart- wants to continue patronage or the spoils system
New President Chester Arthur signs the Pendleton Service Act of – federal jobs based on candidates’ performance on an exam

9. Pendleton Civil Service Act
Negatives
Positives
Big Business becomes closer to government
Competent and honest federal employees
Big business wants high tariffs that protect domestic products against foreign competition
1888 President Harrison funded by big business and signs the ….
McKinley Tariff Act- raises tariffs