Describe the political machine in the late 1800s and how this affected policing.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

It was a very corrupt system that did anything and everything to gain power and—once in power—keep that power. Elections were far more vicious than they are today, with politicians bribing voters with money, liquor, and other forms of vice, and using strong-men and gangs to prevent certain groups from voting—all depending on which party was currently in power. There was also a strong relationship between the politicians and the businesses, as well as the vice lords. The politicians accepted money from the businessmen to get elected and, once elected, they continued to accept money to prevent any laws from being passed that might hurt their businesses. For instance, if workers wanted to organize into labor unions, businesses would pay the politicians to prevent laws from being passed that would allow such organizations to exist, thus remaining in power by pleasing the businesses. The vice lords, which were running such illegal operations as gambling casinos, brothels, and keeping saloons open on the Sabbath, also had to pay off the politicians in order to keep their corrupt businesses running so that they could remain open and profitable. At the center of all of this, as an extension of the political machine, were the police. The police during the political era were simply doing the bidding of the political machine.