Corruption In The Spoils System

9. Reciprocity in Patronage- Plunkitt talks about him being on top and doing favors for the republicans, and when they

After the soaring ideals and tremendous sacrifices of the Civil War, the post-War era of the United States was generally one of political disillusionment. Even as the continent expanded and industrialized, political life in the Gilded Age was marked by ineptitude and stalemate as passive, rather than active, presidents merely served as figureheads to be manipulated rather than enduring strongholds. As politicians from both the White House to the courthouse were deeply entangled in corruption and scandal during the Gilded Age, the actual economic and social issues afflicting urbanizing America festered beneath the surface without being seriously addressed.

When Jackson was elected president he introduced the spoils system, which took away the jobs of highly trained federal men. These men were the most educated to hold office, but with the new system they were replaced with political supporters as a payment for supporting Jackson. He had a belief that if the same people stayed in the position, they would have more power. Removing the people from their position was not the best option, and showed that Jackson simply wanted to make the people happy, but was not doing what was best for the country. The majority of the men were uneducated common people. In the political cartoon, Office Hunters For The Year 1834, it shows that Jackson had complete control of the members of the kitchen,since they were his friends and would often obey him. Having all the control in the White House and control over the members of

He had little knowledge of politics, and depended on his fellow politicians. These men, in turn, involved in scandals to embezzle money from the government. One was the Great Mobilier scandal; it dealt with the Union Pacific Railroad. The Construction Company hired themselves at inflated prices to build railroad lines, and distributed shares of stock to congressmen. A scandal during Grant’s second term, was the Whisky Ring. This scandal was uncovered in St. Louis, and consisted of selling whiskey without the excise tax. In return it defrauded the government out of millions of dollars. Belknap was selling goods and trading with the Indians for lower prices.

Jackson was the first president to arrange of presidential cabinet that was made of his personal friends and supporters. Known as the “Kitchen Cabinet” this was frowned upon by his opposers but Jackson believed that the presidency would be more productive if it was made up of the people he trusted. Jackson kicked out Republican Officials in order to put supporters in those roles. Jackson believed this would open up positions, so more people could serve in the government therefore ending lifetime official terms. This is known as the Spoils System, as the winning party gets to fire and appoint officials in federal jobs. These actions redefined how the newly elected President could control the office, and these are still used up to present day. Jackson set the standards for handling the role of President and increased the productivity of the executive

Often times he seemed bewildered, looking to Congress for direction. As one visitor to the White House said he possessed, “a puzzled a pathos, as of a man with a problem before him of which he does not understand the terms.” Though quite honest, Grant had a knack of appointing people who were not morally sound. Although he was successful in pushing through the 15th Amendment, Ulysses S. Grant’s double-term was dominated by scandals and dishonor.

Spoils System – The spoils system is the firing of previous government officials who are replaced with government officials that side with the president or to whom the president owes favors.

The spoils system, known also as the patronage system is the rotation of officers in government. Document I describes a case where Andrew Jackson decides to appoint Samuel Swartwout as the collector of the port of New York. Swartwout was known to have criminal tendencies, however, Jackson refused to listen to the warnings and appointed him anyways. “He liked Swartwout because he had been an early supporter, unlike Van Buren, and so he went ahead with the appointment. In time, Swartwout absconded with $1,222,705.09...Jackson was mortified.” According to the definition of democracy, the power is vested in the people and the common people are considered as the primary source of political power. Here, Andrew Jackson is abusing his presidential powers by choosing his supporters and undercutting the smooth running of the government. The rotation in office has been just a political device Jackson use to get his supporters a role in government. Andrew Jackson did not give Americans the chance to participate in

The danger of politics lead to the principal factor of checks and balances, within the government and Founding Fathers, throughout the “most crucial and consequential [decade] in American history” (27). Politics were also what lead to the quarrel between John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.

Furthermore, Jackson’s presidency was characterized by use of the spoils system and the systematic rotation of officeholders. These stipulated that federal jobs were strictly given to loyal Democrats and that federal offices could be held for only one term. While these practices were meant to emphasize equal political opportunities and build party loyalty, they inherently promoted government corruption. In fact, the power that Jackson wielded by trading federal positions for party loyalty both overextended his executive power and practiced the same corrupt bargaining of office that the Democrats accused John Quincy Adams of in the election of 1824. Thus, the Jacksonian democrats dealt clear detriments and hypocrisies to the system of popular democracy that they so strongly advocated, despite their encouragement of universal white male suffrage and participation in office.

The events leading up to the Second Seminole War remain some of the most perverse and contentious proceedings to have occurred in American history. Between 1819, the ending of the First Seminole War, and 1835, the beginning of the Second, the United States government did everything within its power to not only remove the Natives Americans from its borders, but did so through seditious and deceptive legislature. It was during this time that the expansion of the power of the president and a complete disregard for foreign affairs characterized the union and their willingness to use extralegal means to achieve their desired goals. This era remains one of the saddest affairs in American history, and provides insight into how the executive branch was able to attain new power during the era of Jackson.

Throughout history, political leaders of the United States were, at one time, thought of as vital pioneers of our progressive society. As president, they vow to take the responsibility to represent America and its people with integrity. Unfortunately, over the years, our trust in our executive legislatures has radically deteriorated. This shift within public and governmental assurance has echoed all throughout history, but peaks at the height of an unexpected scandal. The 1970’s began on a path of disparity and hesitation due to the radical events and assassinations that shaped America’s mentality in the 1960’s. In a nation divided, Richard M. Nixon stepped in as 37th president in 1969 with a mission to resolve the trailing aftermath of the

The selection of officials of Jackson was in many cases the return of a financial grant during campaigning. The consideration of the ability to govern, have intelligence and responsibility etc. were ignored in the wake of compensation. Although opposites alike were granted power they were not always for the continuance of democracy.

As you all know, three years ago I won the popular vote for President, but was denied the office because of a “corrupt bargain” between the dishonorable Henry Clay and President Adams. The people’s choice was disregarded by the elite in power. As a result, I immediately resigned from the Senate and

The most important aspect in understanding political corruption in New York City during the Gilded Age would have to be identifying how these officials were able to come into power and gain support. In the book, Party Games: Getting, Keeping, and Using Power in Gilded Age Politics, the author Mark Summers has examined just that. The tactics and approaches to government and interaction with New York City citizens were something that was very unique as well as new to American society. The corrupt officials