Political Machines

In the Gilded Age

David Hungerford

"...people were hungry, people were cold,

people were starving. The organization fed
them and gave them coal. We bought coal by
the carload and delivered it to people." -
Judge Bernard Gnefkow
 Gilded Age Politics
• Congress was known to
be rowdy and inefficient
• Political corruption was
the norm
• Very few bills were
passed
• For many years
Republicans dominated
the White house
 Political Machines
• An unofficial city/state/ or nation
organization designed to keep a
particular party or group in power.
• These machines grew in the 19th
century because of rapid growth
with poorly organized governments.
• They were able to win votes by
offering favors to any supports
including:
Giving out jobs
Giving out patronage homes
Giving out lucrative government contracts

All just for their votes in the

elections
 Opposition to Political Machines
• Immigrants tended to support
these machines because of
the services provided.
• Some people hated this
because of their lack of
education and unfamiliarity
with democracy.
• This, in turn, made the
machines stronger, but the
conditions provided weren't
always pleasant.
 Tammany Hall
• Tammany Hall was the top
executive committee of the
Democratic Party in New
York.
• It was the haven and
birthplace for famous
political representatives
including Tweed and others.
• They most often used the
“spoils system” to gain
appeal.
 William Magear Tweed
• An American politician
most known for
corruption and
leadership in Tammany
Hall.
• Tweed made his
entrance into politics
by organizing a
volunteer fire company.
 Tweeds ladder to Corruption
• Gained influence in Tammany Hall by
leading important works like building
bridges, roads etc.
• Appointed political subjects to key city
posts (Tweed Ring)
• Elected head of Tammany Hall and
controlled the Democratic nominations to
all city positions
• Opened a law office to receive payments
for "legal services" from city contractors
• Elected to the senate and controlled city
AND state patronage
• Gained control of the city treasury and
took anywhere between $30 mil and $200
mil. (close to 1.5 – 6 billion dollars in
modern currency)
 “Mugwumps”
• Republican reformers
that were unhappy
with the corruption
going on in America.
• This group highly
supported Grover
Cleveland for president
because of his
positions on reform.
 Grover Cleveland
• A Democrat elected into
presidential office against James
G. Blaine.
• He was known for being honest,
courageous, and having integrity.
• He fought Tammany Hall and
Tweed in an effort to combat
political machines and bring
reform.
• People said of him, “We love
him for the enemies he has
made.”