Political Corruption & Reform

Binder Page: 28

Political Corruption

Corruption Def: services to those who would provide

financial or political support Examples

Election fraud: registering “fake” names Patronage▪ Def: providing gov’t jobs 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

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)

Boss Tweed

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

The Path to the Pendleton Act

Rutherford B. Hayes Elected as President in

1876 Appts indeps. to his

cabinet Commission established

to review patronage▪ Two (2) NYC bosses fired▪ Stalwarts (NYC machine )

organizes opposition w/in Republican Party

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

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