Chapter 25

1. Chapter 25 Parties, Patronage, and Pork: National Politics, 1876-1892

2. How the System Worked • Politics of the late 19th century • Uninspired, dignified president • Congress provides initiative • Politics a business itself • Politics a sport to public • Two Balanced Parties • Evenly matched • Close elections • Predictable electorate • Republican party strong in north; south for Democrats except blacks • Swing states decide winners: New York, Indiana, Ohio

3. How the System Worked (cont.’d) • Bosses at conventions • National conventions very important • Opportunity for bosses to network • Conventions decide nominations • Bosses broker political deals • Patronage: The spoils system • 50,000 federal jobs in 1877 • Positions awarded to party activists • Job holders contribute to campaigns • Higher government jobs very lucrative

4. How the System Worked (cont.’d) • Pork • Private contributors to campaigns receive government contracts • Focus on rewarding contributors, not getting work done • Party Tactics • Republicans wave “bloody shirt” to remind voters of veterans’ sacrifices • Democrats wave Stars and Bars to remind South of Reconstruction • Grand Army of the Republic veterans organization • Pensions • Congress passes strict pension bill • Others receive pensions through special bills • Evolves into major abuse • Republicans use pensions to gain votes

5. Presidents and Personalities • Rutherford Hayes • Hayes lacks support for re-election in 1880 • Stalwarts and Half-Breeds reject Hayes • Half-Breed James G. Blaine wants presidency • Ulysses S. Grant wants presidency • James Garfield • Republicans deadlock over Blaine, Grant • Republicans turn to James A. Garfield • Half-Breed Garfield courts Stalwarts • Running mate: Stalwart Chester A. Arthur

6. Presidents and Personalities (cont.’d) • Assassination • Garfield attempts to please both wings with appointments • Mentally deranged Charles Guiteau assassinates president • Stalwart Guiteau wants political office • Civil Service Reform • Pendleton Act of 1883 sets up Civil Service Commission • Administers exams for low-level government jobs • Office holders free from political pressure • By 1900 covers 40% of government jobs

7. Presidents and Personalities (cont.’d) • Chester Arthur • Able president, wants second term • Reaches out to stalwarts, Half-Breeds • Republicans nominate Blaine instead • 1884: Blaine versus Cleveland • Blaine loses support of liberal Republicans • Blaine expects to win Irish vote • Cleveland father of illegitimate child • Blaine guilty of dubious stock deals

8. Presidents and Personalities (cont.’d) • Little things that decide great elections • Blaine dines with millionaires • Ignores ethnic, religious slur against Democrats • Blaine loses Irish vote, loses election • 1888: Cleveland loses election by appearing pro-British

9. Issues • Issues do play a part in politics in 1884 • A few Republicans still interested in civil rights • Main goal of parties to win power • Parties have supporters on both sides of issues • The tariff • Farmers, bankers, railroaders want low tariff • Industrialists want protective tariff • McKinley Tariff (1890): 50% rates • Depression lowers rates to 39%

10. Issues (cont.’d) • Value of Greenbacks uncertain in war • Government gradually removes Greenbacks • Less money supply leads to deflation • Deflation hurts farmers with big debts • Greenback Labor Party • Farmers form party in 1876 • Work to attract labor to party • Makes some gains in Congress in 1878 • Party declines in 1880s, but issue still alive

11. Discussion Questions • What were politics like in the late 1800s? What did the political parties stand for? How was it different than it is today? • Why was there a need to reform the patronage system in the later 1800s? What legislature helped enact this change? • What sort of president was Chester Arthur? How did his becoming president change him? What were his notable accomplishments? • Discuss the main political issues of the times.