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…”