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Political Reforms of the Progressive Movement

US History: Spiconardi. Political Reforms of the Progressive Movement. Political Corruption. Voter Fraud The likes of Boss Tweed would give bread, jobs, and other commodities to immigrants & the poor in exchange for votes Political bosses would have a client vote numerous times. Vote #1.

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Political Reforms of the Progressive Movement

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  1. US History: Spiconardi Political Reforms of the Progressive Movement

  2. Political Corruption • Voter Fraud • The likes of Boss Tweed would give bread, jobs, and other commodities to immigrants & the poor in exchange for votes • Political bosses would have a client vote numerous times Vote #1 Vote #2 Vote #3

  3. Political Corruption • Graft  giving a gift for political gain • Political bosses called it gratitude • Political Machines got public buildings, transit lines and sewer systems built using graft and bribery, which otherwise wouldn’t have been built, but • it was costly to tax payers

  4. Question • Who would be most opposed to the political machines in the cities? Why?

  5. Robert La Follette • Governor and then Senator of Wisconsin • Argued for • Direct primaries • Fair taxes • Regulation of railroad rates • Appointed experts to commissions, not friends or supporters La Follette said his goal “was not to ‘smash’ corporations, but to drive them out of politics, and then to treat them exactly the same as other people are treated.”

  6. Sixteenth Amendment • “The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes…” • The Sixteenth Amendment allowed for a federal graduated income tax • Incomes under $4,000 were exempt • Incomes between $4,000 and $20,000 had to pay a 1 percent tax • Maximum tax was 6 percent on earnings over $500,000

  7. Political Reforms Before After Party leaders pick candidates for state & local offices Voters select candidates from their party PRIMARY Only state legislators can introduce bills Voters can propose bills to the legislature INITIATIVE Only legislature can pass laws Voters can vote directly on bills REFERENDUM Only courts or legislature can remove elected officials Voters can remove elected officials from office RECALL

  8. Seventeenth Amendment • “The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.” • Allows for the direct election of senators by the people instead of state legislatures.

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