Republican Presidency 1877-1884 + Clevland Flashcards
When was president Haynes president between
1877 - 1881
What calls for reform were there from Hayes
He wanted to reform the civil system of appointment instead of being party loyalty focused he wished to make the system more meritocrical, by 1870 the system of goverment was very incompetent
What efforts did hayes make towards ending corruption
Appointments of Carl schurz and William evarts-
To show his commitment to reform hayes appointed one of the best known advocates of reform, Carl schurz and he asked him and evarts to lead a special cabinet tasked with drawing up new rules for federal appointments.
Executive order issued-
Hayes issued an executive order that forbade federal officeholders from being required to make campaign contributions or otherwise take part in any party pollitics.
How did Chester Arthur react
Refused to obey presidents orders hayes sacked him and replaced him with one of his own nominees
What is the spoils system
How jobs are handed out based on pollitical support
What importance did hayes play in the great railroad strike of 1877
Hayes was prepared to send in federal troops when requested to do so by several governors. Such as those of New York and Baltimore who feared possible riots. Buisness leaders praised hayes who seemed to establish the principle of federal government support for buisness and in the face of possible strikes.
What is hayes overall legacy
Initially he is viewed as a lame duck president as straight away he promises to only be a one term president also due to the 1877 compromise his opponents had been greatly strengthened. However hayes got the ball rolling and showed support for buisness
When was James Garfield president
1881
How did Garfield attempt to end corruption with federal authority.
He supported the reform of the civil service, believing that the spoils system was damaging the presidency. He strengthened federal authority over New York’s Custom House stronghold of roscoe conkling who was leader of the stalwarts
How did Garfield attempt to end corruption with appointment of Robertson
When Garfield submitted to the senate a list of new appointments he appointed roscoe Conklings biggest enemy William H Robertson to run the customs house. Conkling contested and to persuade the senate to block it, conkling resigned as a result.
What was the reform of the post office and star routes
In 1880 there had been a congressional investigation into corruption into the post office department, where profeteering rings allegedly stole millions of dollars employing bogus mail contracts called star routes. Hayes had stopped the implementation of any new star route contracts in a reform effort. Garfield forced the resignation of one of the ring leaders Thomas J Brady.
Why was Garfield assassinated
Charles Guiteau who shot him was an unsuccessful lawyer and insurance salesman he believed Garfield owed him a patronage position in the diplomatic corps and that the presidents pollitical decsisions threatened to destroy the Labour Party
When was Arthur president
1881-1884
What was the Pendleton act of 1883
The author of this act was George pendelton, this was the first law specifically imitednd to begin the professional handling of the civil service. The act called for a merit system for promotions within the service and ensured continuity in federal employees from one administration to the next
What was the immigration law Arthur signed
Arthur signed the first federal immigration act that excluded paupers criminals and the metally ill