Chapter 16: Politics and Reform
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Transcript of Chapter 16: Politics and Reform
Chapter 16: Politics and Reform
1877-1896Section 1: Stalemate in Washington
President James A. Garfield Office term 1880-1881
I’m not comfortable with the “spoils system”
• “The President’s tragic death was a sad necessity, but it will united the Republican party and save the Republic…I had no ill-will toward the President. His death was a political necessity. I am a lawyer, theologian, and politician. I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts…”
Charles Guiteau
Stalwarts vs. Halfbreeds
• Stalwart (strong)- patronage-oriented faction of the Republican party late 19th c.
Halfbreeds-Republican reformers
VS.
Pendleton Act
• Allowed president to decide which federal jobs would be filled according to rules laid down by a bipartisan Civil Service Commission
A+
Republicans
Republicans had voting edge in New England and upper Midwest b/c they had “preserved the Union” as well as established pensions for Civil War veterans
-Support of Big business-Farmers of Great Plains-Support abolition, temperance and other reforms
-Most Republicans were Protestants who viewed their party as the defender of traditional American morals and values
Democrats
• “Party of personal liberty”• Democrats dominated the South where white
voters remained anti-Republican following the Civil War and reconstruction
• Support of Catholics and immigrants in big cities
Voter turn-out and elections • Narrow wins between 1876-1896• Swing states of N.Y., Ohio, and P.A. • In 1876 and 1888, candidates lost popular
vote but won election
Election of 1884
• Democrats nominate Grover Cleveland of N.Y.• Republicans nominate James G. Blaine, former
Speaker of the House• Credit Mobilier scandal
• Mugwumps- Republicans who support Cleveland-moral leaders who help nation over political parties and divisions. N.Y. and Massachusetts
Business and Economy
• Worker unrest- Haymarket Square Riot 1886• Rebates for large corporations • Government should not interfere with
corporations’ property rights • Wabash v. Illinois 1886 • Interstate Commerce Commission
– Limited RR rates to “reasonable and just”– Forbade rebates to high volume users– Made it illegal to charger higher rates for shorter hauls
Election of 1888
• Cleveland and Democrats campaign against unnecessarily high tariffs
• Republicans nominate Benjamin Harrison – McKinley Tariff- cut tobacco taxes and rates on
raw sugar but increased textiles to discourage people from buying imports -> Budget deficit Increased payment to Civil War veterans as well
Sherman Antitrust Act 1890
• Declared illegal any “combination in the form of trust…in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States…”