US_Ch1_web-spoils

=**Beginning of the Spoils System**=

Martin Van Buren wanted to build his new party structure and set up the spoils system, which was political patronage. It was the practice of giving government jobs to the election winner's friends. A candidate who won an election would be able to reward supporters. At the time (1820s), the federal government was small (as were state governments). Jobs that would have been given out to supporters would have been a few customs positions (those who dealt with imports and exports), a handful of law enforcement jobs, and post office appointments at the federal level. In addition, when property restrictions on the right to vote began to be lifted, the "common man" was given voting power, which meant candidates needed support of all voters, not just land owners. Van Buren was one who grasped the change that was taking place in terms of elections.

Van Buren began reshaping New York state politics from the inside. The party organization would be set up by the state and divided into district, ward, and precinct. Those who worked at local levels would encourage citizens to register to vote and explain which candidate was the best choice and why. In return for getting out the vote, workers at the precinct level could move up to the ward or district level. Continuing to work well for the party could lead to a job with the party at the state level or a position within the government (there weren't many jobs paid with state tax dollars in the 1820s...today they're a big portion of state budgets). Each level had to make sure to get the vote out (get citizens to register to vote and on election day take the time to go and vote - for "our" candidate). Newspapers became rallying devices to ensure voter turnout.

Remember, Van Buren isn't trying to set up a system based on control and maintaining power. He's trying to set up a party organzation to moderate the pro-slave and anti-slave forces to keep the issue from leading to disunion.


 * (3) How does the spoils system work?**
 * (4) Do you like the idea of the spoils system? Why or why not?**

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