Political Corruption late 1800s•Most infamous political boss of the Gilded Age was Boss Tweed in NYC•Exposed in press by Nast•Cost NYC over $200 million•Does go to jail

Corruption on National Level

•“To the victor goes the spoils of war”•“spoils system” created by Jackson in 1829•At times it worked, however it will lead to fraud and incompetence

•Hayes wins 1876 election•Tried change to system, met with resistance•Split Republican Party by 1880 election•Had a great beard, kind of Brian Wilson-esque

•Garfield (Rep.) wins 1880 election•Assassinated in 1881 by Guiteau over spoils system•Another “great beard guy”

•Arthur becomes President•Despite early ties to corruption, he does begin reform•1883 Pendleton Act passed•10% of federal jobs were now under control of civil service system•Drawback is politicians now need to find other sources of power, so alliance between big business and politicians increase•Not a “great beard guy”

•Reform still issue, however the tariff becomes focus•1884, Cleveland (Dem) wins, tries to lower tariff, he fails•1888, Harrison (Rep) wins, raises tariffs•1892, Cleveland wins again on low tariff•1896, McKinley (Rep) wins he raises tariffs