1. Politics of
The
Gilded Age

2. Spoils System AKA - patronage
Government jobs go to supporters of the winning party
Many Americans came to believe that this made government inefficient and corrupt

3. Spoils System Rutherford B. Hayes - becomes president in 1877
Tries to end patronage by firing supporters
He splits the Republican Party
“Stalwarts” – liked the Spoils System (patronage)
“Halfbreeds” – wanted to reform the system

4. Assassination of Garfield
1880 Republican candidate James Garfield wins election
Charles Guiteau wants a government job
Thinks that if he kills President Garfield (a halfbreed), VP Chester Arthur (a stalwart) will give him one
Shoots Garfield in a train station

5. The Pendleton Act Passed in 1883
Some government jobs to be filled through examination instead of appointment (patronage)
Called the “Merit System”
Beginning of professional civil service

6. Ca Republicans Democrats “party of morality” Supported by
Big business
Farmers on the Great Plains
Patriotic Americans
, edge in Senate
Democrats
“party of personal choice”
Strong in the South
Supported in cities by
Catholics
Immigrants
, edge in the House of Representatives Ca

7. Close Elections
Presidential elections between 1876 and 1896 were very close
In 1876 and 1888, the candidate that won the Electoral College didn’t get the most popular votes
Republicans win 4 of these 6 elections
Election 0f 1876
Election of 1888

8. Democrats win the Presidency
Election of 1884
Dem. Grover Cleveland – governor of NYC
Rep. James Blaine –former Speaker of the House
Blaine part of the Credit Mobilier Scandal – took bribes
Some Rep. reformers switch to support Cleveland
Known as “Mugwumps”
Cleveland fathered a child out of wedlock
Told truth & kept support, gained a reputation for honesty
“Ma, Ma, Where’s my Pa?”

9. Lots of Problems Cleveland had to deal with several major issues
Patronage jobs vs. civil service jobs – chose middle ground & angered both sides
Strikes and protests
Railroad rebates – only for large corporations
Wabash v. Illinois (1886) – only the federal government could regulate interstate commerce
Interstate Commerce Act (1887) – created the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to regulate commerce
Grover Cleveland

10. Election of 1888 Tariffs a major issue Rep. Benjamin Harrison
Funded by corporations who wanted high tariffs
Dem. Grover Cleveland
Wants to lower tariffs
Harrison lost the popular vote but won in Electoral College
Rep. won in House and Senate also

11. McKinley Tariff Passed in 1890
Cut tobacco taxes and tariff rates on raw sugar
Greatly increased rates on other goods
Intended to protect American industry
Triggered a steep rise in price of all goods
Lowered federal revenue
Led to deficit

12. Sherman Antitrust Act Passed in 1890
Made it illegal for companies to form trusts that would restrict free trade (have an unfair advantage)
Vaguely worded, not enforced by courts