Calls for good Government

1
Calls for good Government

• What were some of the problems, economically,
  politically, and socially during the 1800s?
• What changes could be made to stop this?

2
Calls for good Government

• Since the 1870s reformers like Henry George
  wanted quick change to end the problem of
  government corruption however the pace was slow
• 1876Rutherford B. Hayes is elected and change
  begins to happen.
• Carl Schurz is appointed head of the Department
  of the Interior and. Patronage is stopped

3
Calls for good Government

• Hayes also
• Blocked individual appointments
• Refused to sign bills that had riders attached.
• These things helped restore the balance of power
  between Congress and the Presidency

4
Calls for good Government

• Hayes refused to run for a second term
• Stalwarts (republican political machinists)
  wanted grant to run for a 3rd term.
• Half breeds selected James A. Garfield
• In 1880 Garfield beats Dem. Winfield S. Hancock

5
Calls for good Government

• 1881 Garfield is shot by a disappointed office
  seeker. Chester A. Arthur a Stalwart assumes
  power.
• 1883 Congress passes the Pendleton Act which
  allows for federal jobs on the basis of
  candidates who meet rules established by the
  Civil Service Commission.
• Officials could not be removed for political
  reasons this was supported by Arthur.

6
Calls for good Government

• Government Reform was the Major issue in the
  Election of 1884
• DemsGrover Cleveland
• RepJames G. Blaine
• Mugwumps did not support Blaine.
• The election focused on personal attacks
• Demswon the presidency (first since 1856) and
  control of the house

7
Calls for good Government

• Cleveland in Office was not the best at politics.
  He lost many battles with congress and had
  issues not selecting loyal democrats to office.
• He tried to ensure that they were well qualified
• He did however study numerous bills and vetoed
  more than any other president
• He supported the Presidential Succession Act
• The repeal of the office of Tenure Act
• And reclaimed land back from private companies

8
Calls for good Government

• Tariffs were the issue in the election of 1888
• Cleveland had not studied the issue but believed
  high tariffs though they did create a surplus
  were a sign of government interference.
• Issue of free traders v. Protectionists

9
Calls for good Government

• Election of 1888
• Rep-Ben Harrison
• DemsGrover Cleveland
• Repsupported protective tariffs
• Demstop unnecessary taxation
• Harrison winsconservative fiscally but liked
  pensions

10
Calls for good Government

• 1888 last time Govts would have a surplus.
• Civil War Pensions increase 50
• McKinley tariff 1890 dries up all revenue. All
  foreign goods heavily taxed.
• Sherman Purchase ActU.S. has to buy 4.5 million
  ounces of silver a month

11
Calls for good Government

• This strategy would backfire for the rep.
• Competition does not exist.
• Several states do not provide funding for private
  schools.
• 1890 Dems win back house and senate
• 1892 Grover Cleveland returns to office
• Rise of the populist party under James B. Weaver

12
Cultural Life

• By 1900 most states require kids to go to school
  but the average length was for only 5 years
• Colleges focused on classics no history, or
  modern language.
• Beginning 1900 see a rise in business schools and
  technical colleges
• Women had places like Radcliff and Vassar
• Starting with the Chautauqua Institute in New
  York people could learn about econ, science,
  literature and government

13
Cultural Life

• LiteratureIn the south they captured life before
  the Civil Warantebellum. Also documented the
  vanishing way of life in small towns.
• Writers like Samuel Clemens bridged the gap
  between high brow realism and local color
• Realists William Howells, and Stephen Crane
  strove to speak the dialect of the American
  People.
• People found the plots of such works lacked an
  uplifting message and deeds went unpunished

14
Cultural Life

• Realism could also be seen in Architecture and
  Art.
• Ordinary people doing ordinary things. Thomas
  Eakins.
• Painters included Winslow Homer
• Some of these painters were expatriates, John
  Singer Sargent, and Abbott Whistler.
• Impressionism also had an impact with works from
  Mary Cassatt.
• Architecture was Victorianturrets, towers,
  porches

15
Cultural Life

• Leisure time increasedpeople read
• Penny Newspapers riseNew York World
• John Pulitzer declared his paper for the cause of
  the people. Used Scare Headlines Baptized in
  Blood, and comic strips.
• Spawns yellow journalism Making of news i.e.,
  sending Nelly Bly around the world faster than in
  Jules Vernes novel

16
Cultural Life

• Dime Novels are also popularpeople worry that
  they may corrupt youth. Mustang Sam and Deadwood
  Dick.
• Golf croquet, swimming, track, rugby all gain in
  popularity
• 1876 National League Formed
• Cincinnati Reds are the first team.
• Something for the working class.
• Towns called for teams
• Peter Tchaikovsky played in front of sell out
  crowds at the Carnegie City Music Hall.