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

2. The Political Machine
As cities grew, political machines controlled the activities of political parties in the city – political machines made sure
1) Their candidates were elected
2) Those politicians worked for the interests of the political machine
Machines were organized like a pyramid:
1) City boss who controlled the politicians
2) Ward bosses who ran sections of the city – reported to boss
3) Precinct captains & workers, who “got out the vote” in part of ward

3. How the Political Machine Works
Residents vote for the pol machine’s candidate → winning candidate makes sure residents get city services & jobs
Discuss: Why would political machine welcome new immigrants?
- Pol Machine takes care of many immigrants, many become precinct workers & captains

4. Corruption in the Machines
- Political Machines keep power by giving jobs to friends & working with local gangs and by using fraud & graft
-Fraud: win elections by voting more than once or miscounting
-Graft: Bribed officials/police to conduct illegal activities
-Graft: “kick-back” some of the money made to the person who helped

5. Boss Tweed & Tammany Hall
-1860s & 70s: William Tweed was, a powerful city boss who ran a Democratic Political Machine called Tammany Hall
-Tweed stole or extorted over $300 million
-Tweed was indicted on 120 counts of fraud and extortion but escaped to Spain before trial

6. Reforming the System
Republican Pres Hayes proposes a civil service exam for all gov jobs & appoints a commission to investigate pol. machines
Roscoe Conklin (NY Republican political boss), and his Stalwart supporters challenge Hayes
Hayes doesn’t run for re-election, a reformer named James Garfield runs as a Republican, chooses a Stalwart, named Chester Arthur as VP
Garfield wins, promised reforms, 6 mos later he is assassinated
However, Arthur signs Pendleton Act & civil service law is in effect
I am a stalwart!

7. Political Machines of Gilded Age (Discuss)
Describe person in cartoon
What objects & words are in cartoon?
What is said about votes?
What political machine issue is this cartoon discussing?