Jeffery A. Jenkins, Lee J. Alston,
Kara Gorski, and Tomas Nonnenmacher
Abstract
We examine the politics surrounding the "Salary
Grab," a legislative initiative passed on the
last day of the 42nd Congress (March 3, 1873) that increased congressional
salaries by 50
percent and made the pay hike retroactive to the first day of
the Congress, nearly two
years earlier. We argue that opposition within Congress to the
Salary Grab was part of a
larger reform movement in the early 1870s, which also targeted
other areas of government
excess and corruption, like congressional franking, spoils-based
civil service appointments, and the Crédit Mobilier
scandal. Specifically, we posit that a “coalition of reform”
emerged in the 42nd Congress, composed of New England elites and
anti-monopolist Midwesterners, who espoused a philosophy of “good
government,” wherein public servants would be comprised
of the “best men” possible, such as those from privileged
backgrounds, who would act selflessly and promote the greater
good. Examining congressional roll-call votes on the Salary Grab,
franking, and civil service reform, we find significant overlap
in individual-level vote choice, which is explained by variables
that tap this coalition of reform. The liberal reformers were
largely unsuccessful in creating a true reform party and expediting
a broad reform agenda at the congressional level, but their efforts
allowed reform to become a viable issue in party politics and
in the press throughout the late 19th century. These early reform
efforts helped set the stage for the Progressive Era reforms of
the early 20th century.
Jeffery A. Jenkins, Assistant
Professor of Political Science; Faculty Fellow, Institute for
Policy Research, Northwestern University Lee J. Alston, Professor of Economics, Political
Science, Government, and Public Affairs, University of Colorado;
Research Associate, National Bureau of Economic Research Kara Gorski, Analysis Group Tomas Nonnenmacher, Associate Professor of Economics,
Allegheny College
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