American History

Rutherford Hayes was the first American to take the oath of office in the White House. The ceremony was held in secret to prevent Tildens supporters from launching a nationwide rebellion. On the 5th of March 1881, Hayes took the oath publicly. Upon assuming the presidency, he issued an executive order which forbade federal office holders from taking part in party politics and protected them from receiving party grants. Hayes removed employees at the New York Customs to eliminate party corruption.

Hayes executive and domestic policies were unpopular with most politicians. Senator Conkling called Hayes a fool after the latter made considerable efforts to reconcile with old Confederate states. In 1877, labor disputes rocked several cities. Hayes called in federal troops which unfortunately fired on the striking workers. Seventy were killed. Hayes improper use of executive powers displeased both industrialists and workers. Workers specifically feared that the federal government had turned permanently against them. Industrialists feared that brutal action would spark nationwide revolution. President Hayes was severely criticized for the incident.

Hayes successor, James Garfield was a more consensual leader. He formed a cabinet which balanced all Republican factions. Garfield presidency was directed towards a full recognition of Negro citizenship, extension of suffrage, and regulation of the civil service. However, Garfield could not prevent squabble within the cabinet. However, as a president, Garfield weakened the principle of senatorial courtesy and rejuvenated the office of the president.

President Chester Arthur was quite aware of the rivalries within the Republican Party, as well as the controversies of cronyism versus civil service reform. Arthur believed that the only way to get the nations approval was to be independent from both factions. After he took office, Arthur took steps to resolve cronyism. To show the strength of the executive office, he lowered tariff rates and took steps to reform the economy. In 1883, Congress passed the Pendleton Act which established a bipartisan Civil Service Commission.

President Cleveland was perhaps the only president who exaggerated executive powers. He used the presidential veto 584 times. He intervened in the Pullman Strike of 1894 in order to keep the railroads open. He supported the gold standard, and alienated the agrarian wing of the Democratic Party. He was accused of being a mini-tyrant  an individual who used executive powers to the limit of the law. However, as a president, he possessed honesty, courage, firmness, and independence.

Harrisons presidency was the shortest in US history. Harrison was troubled by his ties with powerful industrialists. These industrialists dictated national policies through prominent cabinet positions. Indebted to these industrialists in the presidential campaign, he was unable to effect changes both in the cabinet and the country as a whole. The Spoils System continued even after his death.