Spoils System AKA — patronage Government

Spoils System • AKA - patronage • Government jobs go to supporters of the winning party • Many Americans came to believe that this made government inefficient and corrupt

Spoils System • Rutherford B. Hayes - becomes president in 1877 • Tries to end patronage by firing supporters • He splits the Republican Party – “Stalwarts” – liked the Spoils System (patronage) – “Halfbreeds” – wanted to reform the system

Assassination of Garfield • 1880 Republican candidate James Garfield wins election • Charles Guiteau wants a government job • Thinks that if he kills President Garfield (a halfbreed), VP Chester Arthur (a stalwart) will give him one • Shoots Garfield in a train station

The Pendleton Act • Passed in 1883 • Some government jobs to be filled through examination instead of appointment (patronage) • Called the “Merit System” • Beginning of professional civil service

• Republicans – “party of morality” – Supported by • Big business • Farmers on the Great Plains • Patriotic Americans – 1877 -1896, edge in Senate • Democrats – “party of personal choice” – Strong in the South – Supported in cities by • Catholics • Immigrants – 1877 -1896, edge in the House of Representatives

Close Elections • Presidential elections between 1876 and 1896 were very close • In 1876 and 1888, the candidate that won the Electoral College didn’t get the most popular votes • Republicans win 4 of these 6 elections Election 0 f 1876 Election of 1888

Democrats win the Presidency • Election of 1884 – Dem. Grover Cleveland – governor of NYC – Rep. James Blaine –former Speaker of the House • Blaine part of the Credit Mobilier Scandal – took bribes – Some Rep. reformers switch to support Cleveland • Known as “Mugwumps” “Ma, Where’s my Pa? ” • Cleveland fathered a child out of wedlock – Told truth & kept support, gained a reputation for honesty

Lots of Problems • Cleveland had to deal with several major issues – Patronage jobs vs. civil service jobs – chose middle ground & angered both sides – Strikes and protests – Railroad rebates – only for large corporations • Wabash v. Illinois (1886) – only the federal government could regulate interstate commerce • Interstate Commerce Act (1887) – created the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to regulate commerce Grover Cleveland

Election of 1888 • Tariffs a major issue • Rep. Benjamin Harrison – Funded by corporations who wanted high tariffs • Dem. Grover Cleveland – Wants to lower tariffs • Harrison lost the popular vote but won in Electoral College – Rep. won in House and Senate also

Mc. Kinley Tariff • Passed in 1890 • Cut tobacco taxes and tariff rates on raw sugar • Greatly increased rates on other goods • Intended to protect American industry • Triggered a steep rise in price of all goods • Lowered federal revenue – Led to deficit

Sherman Antitrust Act • Passed in 1890 • Made it illegal for companies to form trusts that would restrict free trade (have an unfair advantage) • Vaguely worded, not enforced by courts