Political Machines, beep boop.
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Although we believe that the Industrial Revolution was beneficial, there were some aspects of it that weren't too pretty; such as the schemes that politicians/business men practiced. As during this time the structure of the economy was basically being built, the government, money, and business was easy to exploit. Corrupt dealings and schemes had taken place, sometimes right under the nose of authority, while other times it was above the authority. Some government officials were known to take bribes, and as compensation would reward the person with a lavish job. Even in the case of cities (New York, we're looking at you. Does Jay-Z rap about that?) politics were ruled by corruption.
Credit Mobilier scandal
"CHOO CHOO, WE RICH HOMIES" - Thomas Durant
During the Civil War, the Union Pacific Railroad Company began work on railroads to span the country, and connect it. The railroad business was a very fortuitous one, and people caught on to this quite fast. An executive of the Union Pacific company, Thomas Durant, realized that there was money in building a railroad. Durant and others then created the Credit Mobilier company of America, to bamboozle the industry and put money in their pocket. Basically, the men behind the CMoA had hired themselves to work on their own railroad, and they were being payed by money given to Union Pacific from investors and the U.S government. Durant inflated prices, and hired cheap construction workers to work on the railroad, so more money went into his pocket. Eventually, due to internal struggles, and journalism, Credit Mobilier was found out. Sorry Durant, the train is pulling up to the station, and this is your stop.
During the Civil War, the Union Pacific Railroad Company began work on railroads to span the country, and connect it. The railroad business was a very fortuitous one, and people caught on to this quite fast. An executive of the Union Pacific company, Thomas Durant, realized that there was money in building a railroad. Durant and others then created the Credit Mobilier company of America, to bamboozle the industry and put money in their pocket. Basically, the men behind the CMoA had hired themselves to work on their own railroad, and they were being payed by money given to Union Pacific from investors and the U.S government. Durant inflated prices, and hired cheap construction workers to work on the railroad, so more money went into his pocket. Eventually, due to internal struggles, and journalism, Credit Mobilier was found out. Sorry Durant, the train is pulling up to the station, and this is your stop.
President grant
President Grant's administration was home to many shady dealings, and corruption. His own Dept. of Treasury had been avoiding excess taxes by being in cahoots with those in the Whiskey business. Using their power and government status to their liking, Grant's administration had been scheming under his nose for quite a long time. Grant's Secretary of War had also accepted bribes, in which he gave people rights to trade on Native American reservations. The Grant administration was also partly at fault for Jay Gould and Jim Fisk trying to exploit the gold market, buy buying up a lot of it, and selling it at extremely profitable prices. All in all, his administration wasn't too clean, and not even those who worked for him were Granted immunity.
boss Tweed and nyc
William "Boss" Tweed was a senator of New York, who had basically had New York in the palm of his hand during his rule."Boss Tweed" had all the power over who could be appointed to city positions and promptly appointed himself a Deputy Street Commissioner, and began putting friends on city payroll for doing nothing and who gave him moderate kickbacks to build his corrupt business on. With his large funds, Tweed bought several companies and gave them all access pass to city contracts and building permits. He was elected to the State Senate in 1867, and within months had charmed his way to near-absolute control over the state's capitol. His group of Tammany Hall friends had secretive control on all Democratic elections and when a Thomas Nast exposed Tweed in Harper's Weekly, these "friends" sold him out. After a series of articles by the New York Times and an extensive prosecution by Samuel J Tilden Tweed was arrested, along with the rest of the Tweed Ring including bankers and bookkeepers.