Chapter 16: Politics and Reform
1877-1896
Section 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…”