Chapter 16: Politics and Reform

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Chapter 16 Politics and Reform

• 1877-1896

Section 1 Stalemate in Washington
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President James A. Garfield Office term 1880-1881
Im not comfortable with the spoils system
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• The Presidents tragic death was a sad
  necessity, but it will united the Republican
  party and save the RepublicI 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
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Stalwarts vs. Halfbreeds

• Stalwart (strong)- patronage-oriented faction of
  the Republican party late 19th c.
• Halfbreeds-Republican reformers

VS.
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Pendleton Act

• Allowed president to decide which federal jobs
  would be filled according to rules laid down by a
  bipartisan Civil Service Commission

A
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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
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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 -gt Budget deficit
  Increased payment to Civil War veterans as well

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Sherman Antitrust Act 1890

• Declared illegal any combination in the form of
  trustin restraint of trade or commerce among the
  several States