Progressive Reform in Government

1. Progressive Reform in Government With enough pressure from citizens, the state and federal governments attempted to initiate reform.

2. I. Progressive Reform at the Local and State Levels

3. A. City Governments • What was wrong with them? • Urban problems, slums, bad conditions • Corruption; favoritism in getting jobs • Workers pressured to vote one way or another • How could they be fixed? • City Commissioner Plan- instead of having an all powerful mayor and city council, the city would be run by a group of commissioners. Each commissioner is in charge of one aspect of city government. (i.e. water, sanitation, fire, police) • City Manager Plan-city council hires a manager to run departments

4. B. State Governments • What was wrong with them? • Political machines • Boss controlled, powerful businessmen influencing

5. C. General Changes in State Governments Aimed at Increasing Citizen Participation • Secret ballot-prevents party bosses from knowing how people vote • Initiative- allows voters to petition the legislature to consider a proposed law • Referendum-voters decide whether a given bill or constitutional amendment should be passed • Recall- form a petition used to force elected officials out of office • Primary- allows voters, rather than party leaders, to elect candidates to run for office

6. II. Progressive Reform at the National Level Teddy Roosevelt’s Administration 1901-1909

7. A. Roosevelt’s View of the Presidency • Stewardship: The president was to be a “steward” for the American people. • Constitutional Interpretation: Roosevelt interpreted the duties of the president to be beyond those specifically listed in the Constitution. • Does this make him a loose or a strict constructionist? LOOSE • What clause of the Constitution is he utilizing? ELASTIC

8. 3. Teddy’s other nickname—Trustbuster a. His goal was for government to regulate and eliminate unfair practices of big business. b. He used all branches of government to follow his plans! 4. Bully Pulpit: Roosevelt believed the Presidency was his pulpit to eliminate the abuses of bullies. Who were these bullies? BIG BUSINESS

9. 5. As a Republican, doesn’t this seem to go against BIG BUSINESS? a. Roosevelt convinced business leaders that he intended to reform unfair corporate monopolies and railroads but that he would not interfere with monetary policy (He would keep the gold standard) or tariffs. b. Government hadn’t done much in the past to curb big business abuses.

10. B. Legislative Branch • Establishment of the Department of Labor and Commerce • Elkins Act (1903) added strength to the Interstate Commerce Act by making the practice of issuing secret rebates illegal • Hepburn Act (1906) increased the power of the Interstate Commerce Commission by giving it the power to reduce discriminatory rates on railroads and forbidding any free passes • Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act (1906)—responded to the writing of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair.

13. D. Executive Branch 1. Presidential Mediation a. Government can act as an arbitrator (define—impartial judge with a decision to be held) in disputes affecting public interest b. Anthracite Coal Strike: United Mine Workers walked out of the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania demanding a shorter work day, better wages, and union recognition. Roosevelt appointed an arbitration board which settled the problems.

14. 2. Conservation- protected the outdoors a. added more land to National Forests and Parks b. created the U.S. Forest Service led by conservationist Gifford Pinchot c. Establish Yosemite National Park.

20. E. Conclusion • Teddy wanted the people to get a “Square Deal.” • What does this mean? He wanted everyone to be treated fair and equally, have good working conditions and be paid well.