Study Notes on US Elections and Political Developments in the 1880s

Distinction: Not to be confused with General Winfield Scott who fought in the Mexican-American War.
Civil War Loyalties: Central theme of the election, questioning the loyalty to the Confederacy.

Civil War Loyalties:
- Discussion around North-South divide and American unity.
- Question of appropriateness of loyalty to the former Confederacy.
Tariffs:
- Rationale: Protecting domestic production by taxing imports to encourage local consumption.
- Context: Increasing domestic production leading to discussions on tariffs.
Chinese Immigration:
- Legislative Action: Passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 aimed at curbing immigration from China due to famine and high influx into California.
- Differences: Anti-Chinese sentiments focused on the influx of immigrants from Asia as opposed to European immigrants.
- Internal Hierarchy: There existed a perceived hierarchy among immigrants, where Europeans were seen more favorably compared to those from Asia.

Leadership: Led by James Weaver.
Formation: Emerged in response to economic depression.
Agenda: Sought to remove the dollar from the gold standard and advocate for the printing of money.
Evolution: The party would evolve into populist movements in the future.

Circumstances: Garfield assassinated by Charles Guiteau at a train station in Upstate New York.
Death: Suffered for three months post-assassination due to a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Consequence: Chester Arthur assumed the presidency following Garfield's death.
Support: Arthur was a supporter of Roscoe Conkling and maintained a position on the spoils system.

Pendleton Act:
- Legislation introduced to fill some federal jobs through competitive exams instead of patronage.
- Compared to Hayes’ attempts at civil service reforms, this was seen as a less comprehensive approach.

Republican Candidate: James G. Blaine, known as the "plumed knight".
- Background: A half-breed similar to Garfield, seeking reform.
- Imagery: "Plumed knight" suggests he had a feathery status symbol, likened to a corrupt knight with a safety net due to his wealth.
- Public Perception: Viewed as politically corrupt leading to dissent within his party, creating the faction known as mugwumps.
Democratic Candidate: Grover Cleveland
- Background: Reformed Governor of New York with a strong anti-corruption stance.
- Campaign Strategy: Accusations against Blaine labeled him a supporter of "rum, Romanism, and ruin" implying his Roman Catholic ties.
- Impact: Slander effectively leveraged against Blaine, aiding Cleveland in securing the presidency.

Republican Candidate: Benjamin Harrison
- Background: Grandson of President William Henry Harrison.
Political Context: Discussions centered on tariffs and economic issues, setting the stage for future economic challenges.

Lethargy in Leadership:
- Harrison was characterized as a lackluster president, hesitant to tackle social and political issues.
- Avoided breaking up trusts and monopolies, fearing backlash from industrial interests.
Sherman Antitrust Act:
- First attempt at regulating monopolies, viewed primarily as a symbolic gesture due to lack of enforcement power.
McKinley Tariff:
- Co-authored by William McKinley aimed to increase import tariffs, dubbed "the Napoleon of protection".
- Economic Consequence: Seen as shortsighted, tariffs create inflation by increasing costs and are ultimately paid by consumers.
- Current Relevance: The impact of tariffs linked to the decline in competition for exports like soybeans, highlighting pricing issues for consumers.

Need for Further Study: Discussion will continue in the next session focusing on the election of 1892.