National corruption before 1900 Rule of righteous 1620

National corruption before 1900 Rule of righteous: 1620 -1790 Government by gentry: 1790 -1828 Government by the humble: 1828 -1864 (Jackson and the spoils system)

Post- Civil War period (18651900) Grant administration – remembered for a lot of scandal: 1) Credit Mobilier 2) Sanborn Contracts 3) Whiskey Ring 4) Star Routes

Common theme in corruption of scandals through end of Civil War • President’s ASSOCIATES were the ones who enjoyed financial benefits from modernization • (support for modernization theory of corruption) – opportunities that come from a growing and expanding country and economy with gov’t playing increasing role in trade (customs offices), railroads (financing building of RRs), communications (post offices) • Fuels movement for civil service reform

Doss and Ross reading #7 in coursepack • Anti-corruption reform in 1800 s – fueled by scandals discussed earlier • Main effort: Pendleton Act (1883) – Public officials can’t raise campaign donations on government property – Government employees should be selected by competitive exams (civil service/merit system), but at first applied to only 10% of federal government jobs. – Presidents can add new jobs to civil service – Technical expertise replaces political loyalty as the main qualification for public service

Political machines – Heyday = late 19 th/early 20 th century • Definition of machine: Johnston • “A party organization within which power is highly centralized” and • “The followers/members are motivated and rewarded by divisible material incentives”

Origins of machine • • What allows machines to grow and flourish? * immigration * rapid growth of cities (urbanization) * chaotic electoral/administration procedures