Chapter 10 Section 1 Reforming Government. Government Corruption Progressive reformers discovered corruption at all levels of government Progressive reformers.

Chapter 10Chapter 10Section 1Section 1

Reforming Reforming GovernmentGovernment

Government CorruptionGovernment Corruption Progressive reformers discovered corruption at all Progressive reformers discovered corruption at all

levels of government levels of government Political machines were linked with the Political machines were linked with the

Democratic or Republican state machines.Democratic or Republican state machines. The state machines would make deals with The state machines would make deals with

lumber companies, railroads or anyone else lumber companies, railroads or anyone else seeking tax breaks or other favors. In return for seeking tax breaks or other favors. In return for generous gifts and campaign contributionsgenerous gifts and campaign contributions

{ The term { The term “Millionaire’s Club”“Millionaire’s Club” was used in the was used in the 1800’s to describe members of Congress}1800’s to describe members of Congress}

Some U.S. senators accepted bribes to vote the Some U.S. senators accepted bribes to vote the way that corporations wanted them toway that corporations wanted them to

{Writer {Writer Lincoln Steffens Lincoln Steffens wrote the book wrote the book The The Shame of the Cities Shame of the Cities about boss-controlled city about boss-controlled city government}government}

Election ReformsElection Reforms Reformers believed that only when the Reformers believed that only when the

government listens to the people can they can fix government listens to the people can they can fix the problems facing Americathe problems facing America

They started with the election processThey started with the election process First, progressives pushed for the First, progressives pushed for the Direct PrimaryDirect Primary

an election in which the voters chose the an election in which the voters chose the candidates who later ran in the general electioncandidates who later ran in the general election

Next, they led Congress to propose the Next, they led Congress to propose the {{Seventeenth AmendmentSeventeenth Amendment which gave voters which gave voters the power to elect senators directly}the power to elect senators directly}

{Until the passing of the 17{Until the passing of the 17thth amendment, amendment, members of Congress were elected by members of Congress were elected by state state legislatureslegislatures}}

They started using the secret ballot so voters They started using the secret ballot so voters would not feel pressured to vote a certain waywould not feel pressured to vote a certain way

Continued…Continued…

Finally, they urged states to adopt three Finally, they urged states to adopt three additional election reform measures: the additional election reform measures: the initiative, the referendum & the recallinitiative, the referendum & the recall

The The initiativeinitiative gives voters the power to gives voters the power to introduce legislationintroduce legislation

{The {The referendumreferendum states if a certain states if a certain percentage of voters signs a petition the percentage of voters signs a petition the policy must be put on the ballot for public policy must be put on the ballot for public vote}vote}

{The {The recallrecall enabled voters to remove an enabled voters to remove an elected official from office}elected official from office} by calling for a by calling for a special electionspecial election

Reforming City Reforming City GovernmentsGovernments The progressive campaign put some reform The progressive campaign put some reform

mayors into office mayors into office Samuel M. Jones Samuel M. Jones mayor of Toledo, Ohio in mayor of Toledo, Ohio in

1897 and another mayor 1897 and another mayor Tom Johnson Tom Johnson were were two of the most successful reform mayors two of the most successful reform mayors

{Due to a hurricane in Galveston, TX that {Due to a hurricane in Galveston, TX that leveled the city the state legislature leveled the city the state legislature established a five person city commission to established a five person city commission to rebuild the city. These individuals were rebuild the city. These individuals were experts in their fieldsexperts in their fields}} not the usual party not the usual party loyalists.loyalists.

Biased on the new commission being more Biased on the new commission being more honest and efficient, Galveston kept the honest and efficient, Galveston kept the system system

The desire for increased efficiency led other The desire for increased efficiency led other cities to establish commissions and hire city cities to establish commissions and hire city managers managers

Hurricane aftermathHurricane aftermath

Reforming State Reforming State GovernmentGovernment

Robert M. La Follette Robert M. La Follette began his political began his political career as a republican district attorney and career as a republican district attorney and Congressman. He signaled his break with the Congressman. He signaled his break with the party after refusing a bribe from a party boss.party after refusing a bribe from a party boss.

Elected governor of Wisconsin in 1900, La Elected governor of Wisconsin in 1900, La Follette backed the Follette backed the {{Wisconsin Idea Wisconsin Idea

It called for direct elections}, an increase of taxes on railroads and utilities, and to create commissions to regulate these companies for the better of the people. It also backed labor reform and conservation of Wisconsin's natural resources

La Follette’s reforms influenced many other state leaders such as New York, Mississippi & Georgia

Robert M. La FolletteRobert M. La Follette

ReviewReview The term ____________was used in the The term ____________was used in the

1800’s to describe members of Congress1800’s to describe members of Congress Answer: Millionaires ClubAnswer: Millionaires Club Who wrote the book Who wrote the book The Shame of the The Shame of the

Cities Cities about boss-controlled city about boss-controlled city governmentgovernment

Answer: LincolnAnswer: Lincoln SteffensSteffens What AmendmentWhat Amendment which gave voters the which gave voters the

power to elect senators directlypower to elect senators directly Answer: 17Answer: 17thth amendment amendment Until the passing of the 17Until the passing of the 17thth amendment, amendment,

members of Congress were elected by? members of Congress were elected by? Answer: State LegislatureAnswer: State Legislature

Have a great day… here’s Have a great day… here’s some cool facial hair… just for some cool facial hair… just for

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