Government Reform

Julia Corriston, Nicole Nowak, Stephanie Herrera, Iliana Gravina, Ginny MacMillan

Reasons for the Reform

● corrupt government● the people finally wanted a say in

government ○ including;

■ laws■ the president

● Government was opaque● middle class wanted a say

“The supreme issue, involving all others, is the encroachment of the powerful few upon the rights of the many.”—Robert M. LaFollette, Sr.

Giving power to the people and regaining control of OUR country!

Presidents During this Time

● Roosevelt● Taft ● Wilson

Robert M. LaFollette

● “Fighting Bob” ● Leader of the progressive wing of the Republican Party

in Wisconsin● Resisted corporate powers and political corruption● Served 3 terms as governor before entering the Senate

in 1906● Targeted railroad industry, taxed them at the same rate

as other business properties

Public Utilities

● before reform public utilities were privately owned

● higher prices resulted in less sanitation

● Privately owned- prices would rise

● Publicly owned- in best interest of the people.

Initiative

Allows voters to petition state legislators in order to consider a bill desired by citizens

Indirect- goes to the state legislature to

review direct- go straight to the ballot

Recall

Allows voters to petition to have an elected representative removed from office.

● differs from impeachment○ legal process, the House of Reps needs

to bring specific charges while the Senate acts as a jury

● recall of a state official is an election

Referendum

● Allows voters to decide if a bill or proposed amendment should be passed.

● gives people a say on the ballot

Recent Example-Colorado legalization of marijuana. People got to vote- on the ballot. 55% agreed

Direct Primary

● Ensures that voters select candidates to run for office rather than party offices

● Resolves the problem of government officials picking allies as candidates

● Gave the people a say in their own government

Direct Primaries

● Wisconsin

● New Jersey● New York

● Robert M Lafollette● Woodrow Wilson● Theodore Roosevelt

17th Amendment

-17th(1913) Provided the direct election for US senators

-Another opportunity for citizens to have knowledge of what is going on in the government.

-Vacancies are filled by Senante up until the “vote is in” by the people.

Success of the Gov Reform

Acts: ● Interstate Commerce Act (1887)● Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) ● Clayton Antitrust Act (1903)

Amendments: ● 16th● 17th