Post on 27-Mar-2020
Chapter23PoliticalParalysisintheGildedAge,1869–1896
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I.The“BloodyShirt”ElectsGrant
• Agoodgeneral:• PopulacesouredbywranglingofprofessionalpoliticiansinReconstructionera• Notionstillprevailedthatagoodgeneralwouldmakeagoodpresident
– Grantmostpopularnorthernhero:• Haplessgreenhorninpoliticalarena• HisonepresidentialvotehadbeencastforDemocraticticketin1856• Hisculturalbackgroundbreathtakinglynarrow
I.The“BloodyShirt”ElectsGrant(cont.)
• Republicans:• FreedfromUnionpartycoalitionofwardays• NominatedGrantforpresidencyin1868• PlatformcalledforcontinuedReconstructionofSouth• Grant“Letushavepeace”
• Democrats:• Intheirnominatingconvention,denouncedmilitaryReconstructionbutcouldagreeonlittleelse
I.The“BloodyShirt”ElectGrant(cont.)
– Wealthyeasterndelegatesdemandedfederalwarbondsberedeemedingold
– PoorerMidwesterndelegatescalledforredemptioningreenbacks(OhioIdea)
– Debt-burdenedagrarianDemocratshopedtokeepmoremoneyincirculationandkeepinterestrateslow
• Disputesintroducedbittercontestovermonetarypolicythatcontinueduntilcentury'send• Midwesterndelegatesgottheplatformbutnotthecandidate– NomineeHoratioSeymourrepudiatedOhioIdea
I.The“BloodyShirt”ElectGrant(cont.)
• Grantnominated:– RepublicansenergeticallynominatedGrantby“wavingthebloodyshirt”—• RevivedglorymemoriesofCivilWar• Becameforfirsttimeaprominentfeatureofapresidentialcampaign• Grantwon,with214electoralvotesto80forSeymour• Grantreceived3,013,421to2,706,829popularvotes:
– MostwhitevoterssupportedSeymour– Ballotsofthreestill-unreconstructedsouthernstates(Mississippi,Texas,Virginia)notcountedatall
I.The“BloodyShirt”ElectsGrant(cont.)
• Estimated500,000formerslavesgaveGranthismarginofvictory• Toremaininpower,RepublicanpartyhadtocontinuetocontrolSouth—andkeepballotinhandsofgratefulfreedman
– Republicanscouldnottakefuturevictories“forGranted”
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II.TheEraofGoodStealings
– Postwaratmospherestunkofcorruption:• Somerailroadpromoterscheatedgulliblebondbuyers• Someunethicalfinanciersmanipulatedstock-market• Toomanyjudgesandlegislatorsputtheirpowerupforhire• Cynicsdefinedanhonestpoliticianasonewho,whenbought,stayedbought
II.TheEraofGoodStealings(cont.)
• Twonotoriousfinancialmillionairepartners:– “JubileeJim”FiskandJayGould:• CorpulentandunscrupulousFiskprovidedthe“brass”• UndersizedandcunningGouldprovidedthebrains• Concoctedplotin1869tocornergoldmarket:
– PlanwouldworkonlyiffederalTreasuryrefrainedfromsellinggold
II.TheEraofGoodStealings(cont.)
II.TheEraofGoodStealings(cont.)
• InfamousTweedRing:– Displayedethicsofage:– “Boss”Tweedemployedbribery,graft,andfraudulentelectionstomilkmetropolisof$200million:• Honestcitizenscowedintosilence• Protestersfoundtaxassessmentsraised• Tweed'sluckfinallyranout:
– NewYorkTimespublisheddamningevidencein1871– Refused$5millionbribenottopublishit
II.TheEraofGoodStealings(cont.)
• GiftedcartoonistThomasNastpilloriedTweedmercilessly.
• NewYorkattorneySamuelJ.Tildenheadedprosecution.
• Unbailedandunwept,Tweeddiedbehindbars.
III.ACarnivalofCorruption
• Misdeedsoffederalgovernmentleaders:– CreditMobilierscandal(1872):• UnionPacificRailroadinsidersformedCreditMobilierconstructioncompany:– Thenhiredthemselvesatinflatedpricestobuildrailroadline– Earneddividendsashighas348percent– Companydistributedsharesofitsvaluablestocktokeycongressmen
– Newspaperexposeandcongressionalinvestigationledto:
III.ACarnivalofCorruption (cont.)
– Formalcensureoftwocongressmen– Revelationthatvice-presidentacceptedpaymentsfromCreditMobilier
• BreathofscandalinWashingtonreekedofalcohol:– In1874-1875,WhiskeyRingrobbedTreasuryofmillionsinexcise-taxrevenue
– Grant'sownprivatesecretaryamongculprits– Grantvolunteeredawrittenstatementtojurythathelpedexoneratethief
• Bribes:– SecretaryofWarWilliamBelknap(1876)forcedtoresignafterpocketingbribesfromsupplierstoIndianreservations
– Grantacceptedhisresignation“withgreatregret”
IV.TheLiberalRepublicanRevoltof1872
• LiberalRepublicanparty:– Slogan“TurntheRascalsOut”urgedpurificationofWashingtonandendtomilitaryReconstruction
– MuffedchancewhenatCincinnaticonventiontheynominated:• ErraticHoraceGreeley,editorofNewYorkTribune• Hewasdogmatic,emotional,petulant,andnotoriouslyunsoundinhispoliticaljudgments
IV.TheLiberalRepublicanRevoltof1872(cont.)
• Democrats:– EndorsedGreeley'scandidacy– Hehadblastedthemastraitors,slaveshippers,saloonkeepers,horsethieves,andidiots
– Hepleasedthemwhenhepleadedforclaspinghandsacross“thebloodychasm”
– RepublicansdutifullyrenominatedGrant– Votershadtochoosebetweentwonon-politicians,neitherofwhomtrulyqualified
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IV.TheLiberalRepublicanRevoltof1872(cont.)
• Electionof1872:• RepublicansdenouncedGreeleyasatheist,communist,free-lover,vegetarian,andcosignerofJeffersonDavis'sbailbond• DemocratsderidedGrantasignoramus,drunkard,swindler• Republicanschanting“Grantusanotherterm”pulledpresidentthrough:– Electoralcount:286forGrantto66forGreeley– Popularvote:3,596,745forGrant;2,843,446forGreeley
V.Depression,Deflation,andInflation
• Panicof1873:• Grant'swoesdeepenedinparalyzingeconomy:
– Ageofunbridledexpansion– Overreachingpromoterslaidmorerailroadtrack,sunkmoremines,erectedmorefactories,sowedmoregrainfieldsthanexistingmarketscouldbear
– Bankersmadetoomanyimprudentloanstofinancetheseenterprises
– Profitsfailedtomaterialize;loanswentunpaid;wholecredit-basedeconomyfluttereddownward
– Boomtimesbecamegloomtimesasmorethan15,000businesseswentbankrupt
V.Depression,Deflation,and Inflation(cont.)
– BlackAmericanshardhit– Freedman'sSavingandTrustCompanyhadmadeunsecuredloanstoseveralcompaniesthatwentunder
– Blackdepositorswhohadentrustedover$7milliontobankslosttheirsavings
– Blackeconomicdevelopmentandblackconfidenceinsavingsinstitutionswentdownwithit
– Hardtimesinflictedworstpunishmentondebtors– Proponentsofinflationbreathednewlifeintoissueofgreenbacks
– Agrariananddebtorgroups—“cheapmoney”supporters—clamoredforreissuanceofgreenbacks
V.Depression,Deflation,andInflation(cont.)
• “Hard-money”advocatescarriedday:• 1874persuadedGranttovetobilltoprintmorepapermoney• ScoredanothervictoryinResumptionAct1875:
– Pledgedgovernmenttofurtherwithdrawgreenbacksfromcirculationand
– Toredemptionofallpapercurrencyingoldatfacevalue,beginningin1879
• Debtorslookedforreliefinpreciousmetalsilver
V.Depression,Deflation,and Inflation(cont.)
• In1870sTreasurymaintainedanounceofsilverworthonly1/16comparedtoanounceofgold• Silverminersstoppedofferingsilvertofederalmints• Congressdroppedcoinageofsilverdollars(1873)• Withnewsilverdiscoveriesinlate1870s,productionshotupwhichforcedsilverpricestodrop• Demandforcoinageofmoresilverwasnothingmorenorlessthananotherschemetopromoteinflation
V.Depression,Deflation,andInflation(cont.)
• Hard-moneyRepublicansresistedschemeandcalledonGranttoholdline.
• Hedidnotdisappointthem:– Treasuryaccumulatedgoldstocksuntildayofresumptionofmetallic-moneypayments
– Coupledwithreductionofgreenbacks,thispolicycalled“contraction:”• Hadnoticeabledeflationaryeffect,worseningimpactofdepression
V.Depression,Deflation,andInflation(cont.)
• Newpolicyrestoredgovernment'screditrating• Broughtembattledgreenbacksuptofullfacevalue• WhenRedemptionDaycamein1879,fewgreenbackholdersbotheredtoexchangelighterandmoreconvenientbillsforgold• Republicanhard-moneypolicyhadpoliticalbacklash:
– In1874,helpedelectDemocraticHouseofRepresentatives– 1878:spawnedGreenbackLaborParty,polledoveramillionvotes,electedfourteenmembersofCongress
– Contestovermonetarypolicyfarfromover
VI.PallidPoliticsintheGildedAge
• GildedAge:– Sarcasticnamegiventothree-decade-longpost-CivilerabyMarkTwainin1873
– Everypresidentialelectionasqueaker– MajoritypartyinHouseswitchedsixtimesinsevensessionsbetween1869and1891
– Fewsignificanteconomicissuesseparatedmajorpartiesyetelectionsferociouslycompetitive
– Nearly80%ofthoseeligible,voted
VI.PallidPoliticsintheGildedAge(cont.)
– Howcanparadoxofpoliticalconsensusandpartisanfervorbeexplained?• Sharpethnicandculturaldifferencesinmembershipoftwoparties:– Distinctionsofstyleandtone,especiallyreligioussentiment– RepublicansadheredtocreedsthattracedlineagetoPuritanism:» Strictcodesofpersonalmorality» Believedgovernmentshouldplayroleinregulatingbotheconomicandmoralaffairsofsociety
VI.PallidPoliticsintheGildedAge(cont.)
– Democrats:» ImmigrantLutheransandRomanCatholicsfiguredheavily» Morelikelytoadheretofaithsthattookalesssternviewofhumanweakness
» Religionprofessedtolerationinanimperfectworld» Spurnedgovernmenteffortstoimposesinglemoralstandardonentiresociety
– Differencesintemperamentandreligiousvaluesproducedraucouspoliticalcontestsatlocallevel,esp.onissueslikeprohibitionandeducation
VI.PallidPoliticsintheGildedAge(cont.)
• Democrats:– SolidelectoralbaseinSouth– Innorthernindustrialcities—withimmigrantsandwell-oiledpoliticalmachines
• Republicans:– StrengthlargelyinMidwestandrural,small-townNortheast
– FreedmeninSouthcontinuedtovoteRepublicaninsignificantnumbers
VI.PallidPoliticsintheGildedAge(cont.)
– MembersofGrandArmyoftheRepublic(GAR)—politicallypotentfraternalorganizationofseveralhundredthousandUnionveteransofCivilWar
– Patronage—lifebloodofbothparties:• Jobsforvotes,kickbacks,partyservice• BoisterousinfightingoverpatronagebesetRepublicanpartyin1870sand1880s• Roscoe(“LordRoscoe”)Conkling—embracedtime-honoredsystemofcivil-servicejobsforvotes
VI.PallidPoliticsintheGildedAge(cont.)
– Half-Breedswantedsomecivil-servicereform:• ChampionwasJamesG.BlaineofMaine• Twopersonalitiessucceededonlyinstalematingeachotheranddeadlockingparty
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VII.TheHayes-TildenStandoff,1876
• Grantthoughtaboutathird-term:– Housederailedthisby233to18:• Passedresolutiononanti-dictatorimplicationsoftwo-termtradition
• Republicans– Turnedtocompromisecandidate,RutherfordB.Hayes,“TheGreatUnknown:”• Foremostqualification:hailedfrom“swing”stateOhio• Servedthreetermsasgovernor
VII.TheHayes-TildenStandoff,1876(cont.)
• Democrats:– NomineewasSamuelJ.Tilden:• RisentofamebyjailingBossTweedinNewYork• 185electoralvotesneeded• Tildengot184withtwentydisputedvotesinfourstates—threeoftheminSouth(seeMap23.1)• Tildenpolled247,448morepopularvotesthanHayes,4,284,020to4,036,572• Bothpartiessent“visitingstatesmen”tocontestedLouisiana,SouthCarolina,Florida
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VII.TheHayes-TildenStandoff,1876(cont.)
• Disputedstates:– Allsenttwosetsofreturns:oneDemocraticandoneRepublican:
– Dramaticconstitutionalcrisis:• ConstitutionmerelyspecifiedthatelectoralreturnsfromstatesbesenttoCongress• TheninpresenceofHouseandSenate,theybeopenedbypresidentofSenate(seeTwelfthAmendmentinAppendix)
VII.TheHayes-TildenStandoff,1876(cont.)
• Whoshouldcountthem?– Onthispoint,Constitutionsilent:• IfcountedbypresidentofSenate(aRepublican),Republicanreturnswouldbeselected• IfcountedbySpeakerofHouse(aDemocrat),Democraticreturnswouldbechosen• Howcouldimpasseberesolved?
VIII.TheCompromiseof1877andtheEndofReconstruction
• Compromiseof1877:• DeadlockbrokenbyElectionCountAct:– PassedbyCongressinearly1877– SetupelectoralcommissionoffifteenmenselectedfromSenate,HouseandSupremeCourt(seeTable23.1)
– February1877,amonthbeforeInaugurationDay,SenateandHousemettosettledispute
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VIII.TheCompromiseof1877andtheEndofReconstruction(cont.)
– Rollofstatestolledoffalphabetically– Florida,firstofthreesouthernstateswithtwosetsofreturns—• Disputeddocumentsreferredtoelectoralcommission,whichsatinnearbychamber• Afterprolongeddiscussion,members:
– Bypartisanvoteof8Republicansto7Democrats,votedtoacceptRepublicanreturns
– OutragedDemocratsinCongress,smellingdefeat,under-tooktolaunchfilibuster
VIII.TheCompromiseof1877andtheEndofReconstruction(cont.)
• OtherpartsofCompromiseof1877:• DemocratsagreedHayesmighttakeofficeinreturnforremovingU.S.troopsfromtwostatesinwhichtheyremained,LouisianaandSouthCarolina• RepublicansassuredDemocratsaplaceatpresidentialpatronagetrough• AndsupportedbillsubsidizingTexasandPacificRailroad'sconstructionofsoutherntranscontinentalline
VIII.TheCompromiseof1877andtheEndofReconstruction(cont.)
• Dealheldtogetherlongenoughtobreakdangerouselectoralstandoff:– DemocratspermittedHayestoreceiveremainderofdisputedreturns—allbypartisanvoteof8to7:• Soexplosive,itwassettledonlythreedaysbeforenewpresidentswornintooffice
VIII.TheCompromiseof1877andtheEndofReconstruction(cont.)
• Compromiseboughtpeaceataprice:– Partisanviolenceavertedbysacrificingcivilrightsofsouthernblacks
–WithHayes-Tildendeal,Republicanpartyabandonedcommitmenttoracialequality
• CivilRightsActof1875:– LastgaspoffeebleradicalRepublicans– SupremeCourtpronouncedmuchofactunconstitutionalinCivilRightsCases(1883)
VIII.TheCompromiseof1877andtheEndofReconstruction(cont.)
• CourtdeclaredFourteenthAmendmentprohibitedonlygovernmentviolationofcivilrights,notdenialofcivilrightsbyindividuals• WhenPresidentHayeswithdrewfederaltroopsthatwereproppingupReconstructiongovernments,Republicanregimescollapsed
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IX.TheBirthofJimCrowinthePost-ReconstructionSouth
• DemocraticSouthsolidified:• Swiftlysuppressednow-friendlessblacks• WhiteDemocrats(“Redeemers”),relyingonfraudandintimidation,reassumedpoliticalpower• Blackwhotriedtoassertrightsfacedunemployment,eviction,andphysicalharm• Manyblacksforcedintosharecroppingandtenantfarming• “Crop-lien”systemwherestorekeepersextendedcredittosmallfarmersforfoodandsupplies,inreturnforlienonharvest
IX.TheBirthofJimCrowinthePost-ReconstructionSouth(cont.)
– Farmersremainedperpetuallyindebt– Southernblackscondemnedtothreadbarelivingunderconditionsscarcelybetterthanslavery(seeMay23.2)
– Blacksforcedintosystematicstate-levellegalcodesofsegregationknownasJimCrowlaws
– Southernstatesenactedliteraryrequirements,voter-registrationlaws,andpolltaxes
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IX.TheBirthofJimCrowinthePost-ReconstructionSouth(cont.)
– Toleratedviolentintimidationofblackvoters
• SupremeCourt:– ValidatedSouth'ssegregationistsocialorderinPlessyv.Ferguson(1896):• Ruled“separatebutequal”facilitiesconstitutionalunder“equalprotection”clauseofFourteenthAmendment• Segregatedininferiorschoolsandseparatedfromwhitesinvirtuallyallpublicfacilitiesincludingrailroadcars,theaters,andrestrooms
IX.TheBirthofJimCrowinthePost-ReconstructionSouth(cont.)
• SouthernwhitesdealtharshlywithanyblackwhodaredtoviolateSouth'sracialcodeofconduct• Recordnumberofblackslynchedin1890s:
– Mostoftenfor“crime”ofassertingthemselvesasequals(seeTable23.2)
• WouldtakeasecondReconstruction,nearlyacenturylater,toredressracistimbalanceofsouthernsociety
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Table 23-2 p497
X.ClassConflictsandEthnicClashes
• Scenesofclassstruggle:– Railroadworkersfacedparticularlyhardtimes:• Eventhoughrailroadscontinuetomakehugeprofits• Workersstruckwhenwagesweregoingtocutby10%• PresidentHayessentinfederaltroopstoquellunrestbystrikinglaborers• Failureofrailroadstrikeexposedweaknessoflabormovement
X.ClassConflictsandEthnicClashes(cont.)
• Federalcourts,U.S.Army,statemilitias,localpolicehelpedkeepbusinessoperatingatfullspeed.– Racalandethnicissuesfracturedlaborunity:• Divisionsesp.markedbetweenIrish&ChineseinCalifornia:– Chinesecameoriginallytodigingoldfieldsandtosledgehammertracksoftranscontinentalrailroads
– Whengoldpeteredoutandtrackslaid,manyreturnedhometoChinawithmeagersavings
• X.ClassConflictsandEthnicClashes(cont.)
– Thosewhoremainedfacedextraordinaryhardships:• Menialjobs:cooks,laundrymen,domesticservants• Withoutwomenorfamilies,deprivedofmeanstoassimilate• InSanFrancisco,DenisKearneyincitedfollowerstoviolentabuseofhaplessChinese• ChineseExclusionAct(1882):
– ProhibitingnearlyallfurtherimmigrationfromChina– Doorstayedshutuntil1943
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X.ClassConflictsandEthnicClashes(cont.)
– Native-bornChinese:• SupremeCourtinU.S.v.WongKimArk(1898)statedFourteenthAmendmentguaranteedcitizenshiptoallpersonsborninUnitedStates• Doctrineof“birthrightcitizenship”ascontrastedwith“rightofblood-tie”(citizenshipbasedonparents'nationality)providedprotectiontoChineseAmericansaswellasotherimmigrants
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XI.GarfieldandArthur
• Presidentialcampaignof1880:– Hayesamanwithoutaparty– JamesGarfieldfromelectorallypowerfulstateofOhio
– Vice-presidentialrunningmateanotoriousStalwarthenchman,ChesterArthurofNewYork
– DemocraticcandidateCivilWarheroWinfieldScottHancock
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XI.GarfieldandArthur(cont.)
• Statistics:– Garfieldpolledonly39,213morevotesthanHancock—4,453,295to4,414,082
– Margininelectoralvotesacomfortable214to155– Disappointedandderangedofficeseeker,CharlesGuiteau,shotPresidentGarfieldatWashingtonrailroadstation
XI.ChesterandArthur(cont.)
– Garfieldlingeredinagonyfor11weeks– DiedonSeptember19,1881:• Guiteaufoundguiltyofmurderandhanged• Garfield'smurderhadonepositiveoutcome:
– Shockedpoliticiansintoreformingshamefulspoilssystem– UnlikelyinstrumentofreformwasChesterArthur
– PendletonAct(1883):• MagnaCartaofcivil-servicereform• Madecompulsorycampaigncontributionsfromfederalemployeesillegal
XI.ChesterandArthur(cont.)
• EstablishedCivilServiceCommissiontomakeappointmentstofederaljobsonbasisofcompetitiveexaminationsratherthan“pull”• Atfirstcoveringonly10%offederaljobs,civil-servicedidreininmostblatantabuses• “Plum”federalpostsnowbeyondreach,politicians:
– Forcedtolookelsewhereformoney,“mother'smilkofpolitics”
– Increasinglyturnedtobigcorporations– Newbreedof“boss”emerged
XI.ChesterandArthur(cont.)
– PendletonAct:• Partiallydivorcedpoliticsfrompatronage• Helpeddrivepoliticiansinto“marriagesofconvenience”withbig-business(seeFigures23.1)
– PresidentArthur'sdisplayofintegrityoffendedtoomanypowerfulRepublicans
– Hispartyturnedhimouttopasture– In1886,hediedofcerebralhemorrhage
XII.TheBlaine-ClevelandMudslingersof1884
• JamesG.Blaine:• PersistenceinseekingRepublicannominationpaidoffin1884• ClearchoiceofconventioninChicago• Somereformers,unabletoswallowBlaine,boltedtoDemocrats—calledMugwumps
• Democrats:– Turnedtoreformer,GroverCleveland• FrommayorofBuffalotogovernorshipofNewYorkandpresidentialnominationinthreeyears
XII.TheBlaine-Cleveland Mudslingersof1884(cont.)
• Cleveland'sadmirerssoongotshock:– Learnedhehadanillegitimateson– Madefinancialprovisionforson
• Campaignof1884sanktoperhapslowestlevelinAmericanexperience:– Personalities,notprinciples,claimedheadlines
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Table 23-3 p501
XII.TheBlaine-Cleveland Mudslingersof1884(cont.)
– ContesthingedonstateofNewYork,whereBlaineblunderedbadlyinclosingdaysofcampaign
– RepublicanclergycalledDemocratspartyof“Rum,Romanism,andRebellion”insultingculture,faith,andpatriotismofNewYork'sIrishAmericanvoters
– Blainerefusedtorepudiatephrase– NewYorkIrishvotegavepresidencytoCleveland
– ClevelandsweptsolidSouthandsqueakedintoofficewith219to182electoralvotes
– 4,879,507to4,850,293popularvotes
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XIII.“OldGrover”TakesOver
– Clevelandin1885wasfirstDemocrattotakeoathofpresidencysinceBuchanan,28yearsearlier
– Clevelandamanofprinciples:• Staunchapostleofhands-offcreedoflaissez-faire• Summedupphilosophyin1887whenhevetoedbilltoprovideseedfordrought-ravagedTexasfarmers:– “Thoughthepeoplesupportthegovernment,”“thegovernmentshouldnotsupportthepeople”--Cleveland
XIII.“OldGrover”TakesOver(cont.)
• Outspoken,unbending,andhot-tempered• NarrowedNorth-SouthchasmbynamingtwoformerConfederatestocabinet• Clevelandwhipsawedbetweendemandsof:
– Democraticfaithfulwantjobs– Mugwumps,whohadhelpedelecthim,wantreform– Atfirsthefavoredreform,buteventuallycavedtocarpingsofDemocraticbosses
– Firedalmosttwo-thirdsof120,000federalemployees,including40,000incumbent(Republican)postmasters,tomakeroomfor“deservingDemocrats”
XIII.“OldGrover”TakesOver(cont.)
• MilitarypensionsgaveClevelandpoliticalheadaches:– PowerfulGrandArmyoftheRepubliclobbiedforhundredsofpensionbillsthatgrantedbenefitsto» Deserters» Bountyjumpers» Menwhoneverserved» Formersoldierswhoincurreddisabilitiesnotconnectedtowar
– Conscience-drivenpresidentreadeachbillcarefully:» Vetoedseveralhundred» LaboriouslypennedindividualvetomessagestoCongress
XIV.ClevelandBattlesforaLowerTariff
• Tariff:• IncreasedtoraiserevenuesforCivilWarmilitary• Republicansprofitedfromhighprotection• Pileduprevenueatcustomhouses• By1881Treasuryhadannualsurplusof$145million• Mostgovernmentincome,pre-incometax,camefromtariff
XIV.ClevelandBattlesforaLowerTariff(cont.)
• Surpluscouldbereduced:– Squanderitonpensionsand“porkbarrel”bills—curryfavorwithveteransandself-seekers
– Lowertariff—bigindustrialistsvehementlyopposed
– ClevelandknewlittleandcaredlessabouttariffbeforeenteringWhiteHouse
– Ashestudiedtariff,hefavoreddownwardrevisionoftariffschedules
XIV.ClevelandBattlesforaLowerTariff(cont.)
–Wouldmeanlowerpricesforconsumersandlessprotectionformonopolies
–WouldmeanendtoTreasurysurplus– Clevelandsawhisdutyandoverdidit:• MadeappealtoCongresslate1887• Democratsfrustrated• Republicansrejoicedathisapparentrecklessness:
– Claimedlowertariffswouldmeanhighertaxes,lowerwages,andincreasedunemployment
• Firsttimeinyears,arealissuedividedtwoparties
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XIV.ClevelandBattlesforaLowerTariff(cont.)
• Upcoming1888presidentialelection:– DemocratsdejectedlyrenominatedClevelandinSt.Louisconvention:
– RepublicansturnedtoBenjaminHarrison:• GrandsonofformerpresidentWilliamHenry(“Tippecanoe”)Harrison• Twopartiesfloodedcountrywith10millionpamphletsontariff• Republicansraised$3million—heftiestyet—largelyby“fryingthefat”ofnervousindustrialists
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XIV.ClevelandBattlesforaLowerTariff(cont.)
• Moneyusedtolineupcorrupt“votingcattle”knownas“repeaters”and“floaters”• InIndiana,crucial“swing”state,votespurchasedforasmuchas$20each
– Electionday:• HarrisonnosedoutCleveland233to168electoralvotes• Changeof7,000N.Y.ballotswouldhavereversedoutcome• Clevelandpolledmorepopularvotes:
– 5,537,857to5,447,129• BecamefirstsittingpresidentdefeatedsinceMartinVanBurenin1840
XV.TheBillion-DollarCongress
• Republicaninoffice:– HadonlythreemorevotesthannecessaryinHouseforquorum
– DemocratsobstructedHousebusinessbyrefusingtoanswerrollcalls:• Demandedrollcallstodeterminepresenceofquorum• Employedotherdelayingtactics
– NewRepublicanSpeakerofHouse:ThomasB.ReedofMaine
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XV.TheBillion-DollarCongress (cont.)
• ReedbentHousetohisimperiouswill• CountedaspresentDemocratswhohadnotansweredrollandwho,rulebookinhand,deniedtheywerelegallythere• Bysuchtactics“Czar”Reeddominated“Billion-DollarCongress”—firsttoappropriatethatsum– ShoweredpensionsonCivilWarveterans– Increasedgovernmentpurchasesofsilver– PassedMcKinleyTariffActof1890:
» Boostedratestohighestpeacetimelevel» Averageof48.4percentondutiablegoods
XV.TheBillion-DollarCongress(cont.)
• ResultsofMcKinleyTariffActof1890:– Debt-burdenedfarmershadnochoicebuttobuymanufacturedgoodsfromhigh-pricedprotectedindustrialists
– Compelledtoselltheiragriculturalproductsinhighlycompetitive,unprotectedworldmarkets
– MountingdiscontentagainstTariffcausedmanyruralvoterstoriseinanger
– Incongressionalelection(1890)Republicanslostmajority—seatsreducedto88asopposedto235Democrats
– EvenMcKinleydefeated– NewCongressincluded9fromFarmers'Alliance—militantorganizationofsouthernandwesternfarmers
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XVI.TheDrumbeatofDiscontent• People'spartyor“Populists”:– RootedinFarmers'Alliance;metinOmaha(1892)• Platformdenounced“prolificwombofgovernmentalinjustice”• Demandedinflationthroughfreeandunlimitedcoinageofsilver—16ouncesofsilverto1ounceofgold• Calledforgraduatedincometax• Governmentownershipofrailroadsandtelegraph• DirectelectionofU.S.Senators;one-termlimitonpresidency;adoptionofinitiativeandreferendumtoallowcitizenstoshapelegislationdirectly
XVI.TheDrumbeatofDiscontent(cont.)
Shorterworkdayandimmigrationrestrictions– PopulistsuproariouslynominatedGreenbacker,GeneralJamesWeaver
– HomesteadStrike(1892):• AtAndrewCarnegie'sHomesteadsteelplant,nearPittsburgh,officialscalledin300armedPinkertondetectivestocrushstrikebysteelworkersoverpaycuts• StrikersforcedPinkertonassailantstosurrenderafterviciousbattlethatleft10deadand60wounded• Aftertroopsentered,unionbroken
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XVI.TheDrumbeatofDiscontent(cont.)
• Populists'remarkableshowing:– Inpresidentialelection(seeMap23.3)– Achieved1,029,846popularvotesand22electoralvotesforWeaver
– Oneoffewthirdpartiestowinelectoralvotes– Fellfarshortofelectoralmajority– PopulistsvotescamefromonlysixMidwesternandwesternstates;onlyfour(Kan.Colo.Idaho,Nev.)fellcompletelyintoPopulistbasket
Map 23-3 p506
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XVI.TheDrumbeatofDiscontent(cont.)
• Southunwillingtosupportnewparty:– onemillionblackfarmersorganizedColoredFarmers'NationalAlliance:• Sharedmanycomplaintswithpoorwhitefarmers• Populistleadersreachedouttoblackcommunity• Stressedcommoneconomicproblems• Blackleaders,disillusionedwithRepublicanparty,responded
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XVI.TheDrumbeatofDiscontent(cont.)
• Alarmed,whiteeliteinSouthplayeduponracialantagonismstocounterPopulists'appealandtowoopoorwhitesbacktoDemocraticparty• Southernblackswereheavylosers• Whitesouthernersusedliteracytestsandpolltaxestodenyblacksthevote• Grandfatherclause:
– Exemptedfromnewrequirementsanyonewhoseforebearvotedin1860
– Whenblackslaveshadnotvotedatall– Morethanacenturywouldpassbeforesouthernblackscouldagainvoteinconsiderablenumbers
XVI.TheDrumbeatofDiscontent(cont.)
• JimCrowlaws:• Imposedracialsegregationinpublicplaces:
– Includinghotelsandrestaurants– Enforcedbylynchingsandotherformsofintimidation
– CrusadetoeliminateblackvotehaddireconsequencesforPopulistparty:
– TomWatsonabandonedinterracialappeal;becamevociferousracist
– Populistpartylapsedintovileracism;advocatedblackdisfranchisement
XVII.ClevelandandDepression
• Clevelandinofficeagain(1893):– Onlypresidenteverreelectedafterdefeat– SameCleveland,butnotsamecountry:• Debtorsupinarms• Workersrestless• Devastatingdepressionof1893burst:
– Lastedforfouryears– Mostpunishingeconomicdownturnof19thcentury
XVII.ClevelandandDepression (cont.)
– Economicdepressionof1893--causes:• Splurgeofoverbuildingandspeculation• Labordisorders;ongoingagriculturaldepression• Free-silveragitationdamagedAmericancreditabroad• U.S.financespinchedwhenEuropeanbanksbegantocallinloans
– Depressionrandeepandfar:• 8,000businessescollapsedinsixmonths• Dozensofrailroadslineswentintoreceivers'hands
XVII.ClevelandandDepression (cont.)
• Soupkitchensfedunemployed• Gangsofhoboes(“tramps”)wanderedcountry• Localcharitiesdidtheirfeeblebest• U.S.government(boundbylet-nature-take-itscoursephilosophy)sawnolegitimatewaytorelievesuffering
– Cleveland,whohadearlierbeenbotheredbyasurplus,nowburdenedwithdeepeningdeficit:• Treasuryrequiredtoissuelegaltendernotesforsilverbullionitbought
XVII.ClevelandandDepression (cont.)
• Ownersofpapercurrencywouldpresentitforgold• Bylaw,noteshadtobereissued• Newholderswouldrepeatprocess• Drainedgoldin“endless-chain”operation• GoldreserveinTreasurydroppedbelow$100million
– ClevelandsoughtrepealofShermanSilverPurchaseActof1890
– Todoso,hesummonedCongressintospecialsession• Clevelanddevelopedmalignantgrowthinhismouth:
– Removedwithextremesecrecy
XVII.ClevelandandDepression (cont.)
• Ifhehaddied,VicePresidentAdlaiStevenson,a“soft-money”person,wouldbepresident—– wouldhavedeepenedcrisis
• InCongress,debateoverrepealofsilveractranitsheatedcourse:– WilliamJenningsBryanchampionedfreesilver– Friendsofsilverannounced“hellwouldfreezeover”beforeCongresswouldpassrepeal
– Clevelandbrokefilibuster» AlienatedDemocraticsilveriteslikeBryan» Disruptedhispartyatstartofhisterm
XVII.ClevelandandDepression (cont.)
• RepealofShermanSilverPurchaseAct:– OnlypartiallystoppeddrainofgoldfromTreasury• February1894,goldreservesankto$41million• UnitedStatesindangerofgoingoffgoldstandard• ClevelandfloatedtwoTreasurybondissuesin1894totalingover$100million• “Endless-chain”operationscontinued• Early1895ClevelandturnedindesperationtoJ.P.Morgan,“thebankers'banker,”andheadofaWallStreetsyndicate
XVII.ClevelandandDepression (cont.)
• AftertensenegotiationsatWhiteHouse,thebankersagreedtolendgovernment$65millioningold• Chargedcommissionof$7million• Didmakesignificantconcessionwhenbankersagreedtoobtainone-halfofgoldabroad• Loan,atleasttemporarily,helpedrestoreconfidenceinnation'sfinances
XVIII.ClevelandBreedsaBacklash
• Golddealstirredupnation:– Symbolizedallthatwaswickedinpolitics:• Cleveland'ssecretivedealingswithMorgansavagelycondemnedas“sellout”ofnationalgovernment• Clevelandcertainhehaddonenowrong
• ClevelandsufferedfurtherembarrassmentwithWilson-Gormantariffin1894.
XIII.ClevelandBreedsaBacklash (cont.)
• Wilson-Gormantariff:– Democratspledgedtolowertariff– ButbillthatmadeitthroughCongressloadedwithspecial-interestprotection
– Outraged,Clevelandallowedbilltobecomelawwithouthissignature:• Contained2%taxonincomesover$4,000• WhenSupremeCourtstruckdownincome-taxprovisionin1894,Populistanddisaffectedsawproofcourtsweretoolsofplutocrats
XIII.ClevelandBreedsaBacklash (cont.)
• Democrats'politicalfortunes:– Sufferedseveralsetbacks:• HouseDemocratsdislodgedin1984
– Republicanswoncongressionalelectioninlandslide– 244seatsto105forDemocrats– Republicanslookedforwardtopresidentialraceof1896
• Clevelandfailedtocopewitheconomiccrisisof1893:– Becameoneof“forgettablepresidents”alongwithGrant,Hayes,Garfield,Arthur,andHarrison
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