1. Politics in the Gilded Age

2. The Emergence of Political Machines
The Political Machine
An organized group that controlled the activities of a political party in a city
Offered services to voters and businesses in exchange for political or financial support

3. Hierarchy At top – Political Boss midlevel – Ward Boss
Bottom – local captains

4. The Role of the Political Boss
Access to municipal jobs, licenses and courts
Money and Votes motivated these men
Immigrants attain citizenship in return for votes

5. Municipal Graft and Scandal
Election Fraud & Graft
Illegal use of political influence for personal gain
Age of the “kick back”
illegal payments for services
Fraud included, fake names

6. The Tweed Ring Scandal
William M. “Boss” Tweed, NYC Democratic political machine
Was indicted for fraud and extortion

8. Pendleton Civil Service Act
established a bipartisan civil service commission to make appointments to government jobs by the means of the merit system

9. Civil Service Replaces Patronage
giving government jobs to people who helped a candidate get elected
Civil service
government administration
most qualified person should get the job

11. Best Congress that money can
The
Best Congress that money can
buy.

12. Election of 1896