The Rise of Political Machines

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The Rise of Political Machines
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What is a Political Machine?

• An Organization that helps to organize and
  control the activities of a political party in a
  city.

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How did they work?

• It was like a pyramid scheme

City Boss
Ward Bosses
Precinct Workers Captains
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Once you have control

• Once you had your boys in office you had a
  plethora of ways to make cash
• -Contract Kick Backs
• - Illegal business bribes
• - Really the Sky is the limit

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The Ultimate Machine

• Starting with Jackson you have the spoils system
  it becomes patronage
• Several Presidents starting with Hayes tried to
  fix it
• Ultimately Arthur passes the Pendleton Civil
  Service Act

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SO WHAT?

• Without being able to offer jobs to people in
  order to get contributions they have to look to
  someone new. But Who?
• BIG BUSINESS