American Politics in the Gilded Age

Often Gilded-Age politics has been described as devoid of content or accomplishment, a mere spectacle to divert voters from thinking about the real issues of the day. But by focusing too closely on dramatic scandals and on the foibles of prominent politicians, many historians have tended to obscure other aspects of late nineteenth-century politics that proved to be of great and long-term significance. With the latest scholarship in mind, Professor Cherny provides a deft and highly readable analysis that is certain to help readers better understand the characteristics and important products of Gilded-Age politics. Topics covered include: voting behavior; the relation between the popular will and the formation of public policy; the cause and effect of the deadlock in national politics that lasted from the mid-1870s to the 1890s; the sources of political innovation at state and local levels; and the notable changes wrought during the 1890s that ushered in important new forms of American politics.

Foreword V Acknowledgments IX INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER ONE: The Domain and Power of Party 5 Parties, Elections, and Patronage 6 Parties, the State, and Public Policy 16 The Major Parties: The Republicans and The Democrats 22 On the Periphery of Party Politics: Mugwumps, Suffragists, Prohibitionists, Grangers, Greenbackers , and Laborites 31 CHAPTER TWO: The Deadlock of National Politics, 1868—1890 46 Grant: The Emergence of Deadlock, 1868—1876 50 Hayes: The Confirmation of Deadlock, 1876—1880 60 Garfield and Arthur: The Deadlock Continue, 1880—1884 67 Cleveland: The Deadlock Lengthens, 1884—1888 74 Breaking the Deadlock? Harrison and the Fifty-first Congress, 1888—1890 85 CHAPTER THREE: Political Upheaval, 189—1900 94 The Emergence of Populism, 1890—1892 97 The Dividend Democrats Fail to Govern, 1893—1896 110 Republican Resurgence and Democratic Downfall: The Battle of the Standards, 1896 118 Conclusion: An End and Many Beginnings 127 Illustrations and Maps follow page 84 Appendix: Tables 139 Table 1.1: Farm Production and Crop Prices, 1865—1900 139 Table 2.1: Popular and Electoral Vote for President, 1868—1904 141 Table 2.2 Electoral Votes by Selected Regions and States 142 Table 2.3 Party Strength in Congress, 1868—1904 143 Table 2.4 Federal Income and Expenses, Including Customs Receipts 144 Bibliographical Essay 146 Index 159