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Political Corruption & Reform

Binder Page: 28. Political Corruption & Reform. Political Corruption. Corruption Def: services to those who would provide financial or political support Examples Election fraud: registering “fake” names Patronage

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Political Corruption & Reform

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  1. Binder Page: 28 Political Corruption & Reform

  2. Political Corruption • Corruption • Def: services to those who would provide financial or political support • Examples • Election fraud: registering “fake” names • Patronage • Def: providing gov’tjobs to ppl who had helped a candidate get elected • Graft • Def: illegal use of political influence for personal gain • Gain city contract, “over est.” cost, “pocket” surplus • “Kick-back” profit to political machine

  3. Links in the Chain • Immigrants & Rural Migrants • Need to be naturalized, find housing & gain employment • Precinct Captains • Individuals who go door to door to gain support for a candidate • Exchange favors - employment and housing for political support • Ward Bosses • Organize precinct captains • Provided services, favors, in exchange for votes • City Boss • Establish political platform and organize ward bosses • Worked directly with the elected officals • Often controlled gov’t appointments, approved business licenses, and even court apptments • Ex: Roscoe Conklin, NYC (p. 268), “Big Jim” Pendergast (Kansas City), William M. Tweed (Tammany Hall – NYC)

  4. Boss Tweed

  5. Political Reform:Civil Service Replaces Patronage • Patronage • The “Spoils System” • Civil Service • Def: awarding gov’t jobs based on the merit of the applicant • Reality: the most qualified person for the gets the job

  6. The Path to the Pendleton Act • Rutherford B. Hayes • Elected as President in 1876 • Apptsindeps. to his cabinet • Commission established to review patronage • Two (2) NYC bosses fired • Stalwarts (NYC machine ) organizes opposition w/in Republican Party

  7. The Path to the Pendleton Act • James A. Garfield • Republican nominee in 1880 • Chester A. Arthur chosen as VP (Stalwart) • When elected provides “Halfbreeds” with patronage • Assassinated in 1881 D.C. train station by un-happy Stalwart

  8. The Path to the Pendleton Act • Arthur assumes Presidency • Calls for reform • Pendleton Civil Service Act • Civil Service Commission to award jobs based on civil service exams • Republicans nominate James Blaine in 1884, goes on to lose to Grover Cleveland – first Democrat since 1856

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