Federal politics

 

  1. Equilibrium – Both parties (Democrat and Republican) were evenly balanced.
    1. Elections of this era were all very close – as a result neither party attempted to change much for fear of losing their slight majority.
    2. Only 2 Democrats were elected Pres. Between 1860 and 1912, but elections were very close, with dems winning the popular vote 3 times as they lost the electoral vote.
    3. Regional alliances – NE and Midwest were Republican, as were freed slaves and Union army veterans.  S and cities in NE favored Democrats.  West was too isolated at beginning to matter by 1900 were in favor of a new party – the Populists.
    4. Party allegiance was rigid – based on local issues which then carried over to national elections.

                                                               i.      Democrats – called the “Party of Personal Liberty” asked to be left alone – called for lasses-faire style of gov’t –locally and federally

                                                             ii.      Republicans – called the “Party of Piety” felt gov’t should intervene to make life better (anti-immigrant policies, might be referred to as a type of religious right today)

    1. Elections depended on the “doubtful states” of CT, NY, NJ, OH, IN, IL.  Each of these states had enough of a “swing” to affect national elections
    2. Each party was controlled by political bosses – they chose the Pres. candidates.
    3. Reform efforts began in this era but did not become effective until post 1900.
  1. President Hayes
    1. Regained presidential power lost by Johnson to congress
    2. Started precedent of sending in troops to break strikes.
    3. Called for a “tight money” policy – i.e. redeem currency at face value in gold.  This prevented inflation and actually caused deflation – hurt farmers the most, also hurt wage laborers
    4. “Greenbackers” called for free coinage of silver to cause inflation (much silver was being mined in the west)
    5. Bland-Allison act was passed as a compromise – did little US Treasury would buy $2-4 million in silver each month and coin it.
  1. Election of 1880
    1. Republicans nominate James Garfield; Democrats nominated General Winfield Hancock.
    2. Garfield won a close race and took office. He tried to put qualified people in jobs rather than give jobs as gifts (spoils system).
    3. Garfield was shot and killed (July 2, 1881) by Charles Guiteau – who had been turned down when he applied for a job.
    4. V.P. Chester Arthur became Pres. Nation called for an end to patronage systems.
    5. Civil Service Act is passed – Senator Pendleton establishes a Civil Service Commission to select appointees on basis of merit.  By 1900 40% of federal jobs are classified and given to the best qualified.
  2. Election of 1884
    1. Republicans nominate James Blaine; Democrats dump Arthur and nominate Grover Cleveland.
    2. Blaine called for protective tariffs, Cleveland said nothing.
    3. Campaign was marked by “mudslinging” – focused on morals of the two candidates.  Blaine was accused of illegal RR deals, Cleveland was accused of fathering an illegitimate son.  (Both were probably true).
    4. Cleveland won a very close election by carrying NY thanks to votes of Irish immigrants (he won NY by 1149 votes).
    5. 1st Democrat to win since Civil War
    6. President Cleveland tried to reduce tariffs from wartime levels (they had not been adjusted after the war).  Republicans in Congress blocked the effort.
    7. Cleveland did little else – he signed the Interstate Commerce Act, but did not think it was a great idea.
  3. Election of 1888
    1. Republicans chose Benjamin Harrison – grandson of William Henry Harrison (Pres who died because he wore no hat); Democrats chose Cleveland.

f.        Cleveland polled more votes, but Harrison won the Electoral College vote and the Presidency.

g.       President Harrison reverted back to the spoils system – he placed friends and party officials in Cabinet posts.

h.       Congress and Pres Harrison did little even though both were Republican – they continued to collect high tariffs, and spent surplus on many public works projects.

i.         In return for support on tariff issues, silver supporters were given the Sherman Silver Purchase Act.  This guaranteed the gov’t would buy 41/2 million ounces of silver per month – had little effect on inflation.

j.        Congress passed the Sherman Antitrust Act – had little or no effect.

  1. Election of 1892
    1. Farmers were in the midst of a depression – prices kept declining, farm equipment was expensive due to the tariff, debts had to be repaid in deflationary times.  In Midwest most farms were mortgaged, in S the sharecropping system was still in wide use.

f.        Grangers – political wing of farm movement.  Called for a party to meet the needs of the farmer.

g.       Peoples Party or Populist Party is formed – supported by western and midwestern farmers, S farmers stayed with Democrats for now.  Populists chose James Weave as candidate – he also had support from Knights of Labor, Prohibitionists, and other reformers.

h.       Democrats nominate Grover Cleveland again, Republicans nominate Harrison.

i.         Cleveland wins easily – most one-sided election of era.

j.        Depression of 1893 follows.  Farm depression spreads to RR and other industry.  Industries cut wages – leads to strikes and violence (Pullman strike and others)

k.      President Cleveland turns to JP Morgan to bail out country.  Morgan buys entire bond issue (makes a fortune and saves country).

l.         Jacob Coxey – Populist leader of Ohio asked for gov’t aid to unemployed.  He marches an “army” of 500 to D.C. where they were beaten and arrested by police.

m.     Democrats reduced the tariff a little (very little) and pass the first income tax (2% on incomes of $4000 +).  The Supreme Court declares income tax unconstitutional.

  1. Election of 1896
    1. Republicans name William McKinley as candidate; Democrats dump Cleveland and name William Jennings Bryan candidate.

f.        Bryan makes famous “Cross of Gold” campaign speech (“you shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold”)

g.       Populists are persuaded to also nominate Bryan

h.       McKinley did little – he sat on his front porch and had friends in press call Bryan a socialist (and other worse names).

i.         Bryan carried the west and south; McKinley carried the NE and Midwest (and CA & OR).  McKinley wins the election in the heaviest turnout in US history.

j.        This marks the end of the Populist Party and the farmer’s efforts at reform – 20th century reform will come from the cities.