1. Reform Visions, 1880 - 1892 Electoral Politics After Reconstruction:
Control of Congress changed between Rs and Ds often – there were no real difference between the parties – other than the issue of tariffs
Republicans wanted to Raise tariffs
Gilded Age - saw political corruption, large gap between rich and poor
New Initiatives
James Garfield - died 6 months into office – killed by an assassin who wanted a job in his administration.
As a result of Garfield’s murder, Congress passed the Pendleton Act - required many government jobs to be filled by a civil service test (helped limit Spoils System)
Mugwumps - Liberal Republicans that did not support Republican candidate James Blaine in 1884 and helped Democrat Grover Cleveland get elected.
Grover Cleveland:
Signed the Interstate Commerce Act - sought to limit power of corporations (RRs)

2. Reform Visions, 1880 - 1892 Republican Activism
Sherman Antitrust Act (1890):
Sought to limit corporations, forbid combinations “in the form of trust or otherwise”
Ironically, the act was often used to curb the power of unions, not corporations
Lodge Bill - would allow citizens to ask for government intervention in elections, (this did not pass)
The Populist Program - Made up of predominantly farmers
Omaha Platform (1892) - argued people should have more say in government. Supported:
Public ownership of RRs and telegraphs
Federal income tax for wealthy
Loosen the money supply (help borrowers and those in debt) – push for bimetallism

3. The Politics of 1890s Depression and Reaction:
Panic of high unemployment and bank and railroad failures – farm foreclosures
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES TOPPED 20% IN SOME PARTS OF THE COUNTRY
Coxey’s Army - marched to D.C.in the summer of 1894
Advocated the federal government to hire unemployed Americans to fix roads
Free Silver - advocates favor a looser monetary supply
Instead of just gold, the money supply would be backed up by silver 16:1 ratio
Increasing the monetary supply would help borrowers – but would harm lenders
However, Pres. Cleveland refused to move America off of the Gold Standard
The economic issues led voters to elect Republicans into Congress during the 1894 mid-term elections
Democrats and the “Solid South”
What is the “Solid South?”
Overwhelmingly voting for the Democratic Party by white southerners and had tremendous power
Although the grandfather clause was struck down, literacy tests and poll taxes were upheld in the South as a result of the decision in WILLIAMS V. MISSISSIPPI (1898). African American voter turnout plummeted in many southern states

4. The Politics of the 1890s Election of 1896 William Jennings Bryan:
Populist AND Democratic Candidate in 1896
3-time presidential candidate (lost all 3)
Cross of Gold speech - called for free silver platform. “You will not crucify America on a Cross of Gold.”
William McKinley (R), pro-business, defeated Bryan

6. Court decisions began to invalidate many of the laws and regulations designed to protect the rights of labor.
Lochner v. New York – The Supreme Court ruled that New York could not make a law that limited bakers to ten hour workdays. While the law was well intended, it did not take into consideration the special circumstances that require employment in bakeries. The court decided that such a law was a violation of the 14th Amendment right to due process