Stuff Mrs. Cashion Told Us to Read About

  • Chinese Exclusion Act: Many Chinese came to California to work on gold mining and railroad. The Irish resented the Chinese because they were competetion for the cheap labor the Irish provided. Many Chinese returned to China after their work was done, but some stayed in immigrant communities as laundrymen, cooks, or domestic servants. Denis Kearney and immigrant followers terrorized the Chinese. Congress passed Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, prohibiting all further immigration from China until 1943.
  • Pendleton Civil Service Act: Garfield assassinated by office-seeker, Charles J. Guiteau (he was a Stalwart who wanted Stalwart VP Arthur to become president). Garfield's death shocked politicans into reforming shameful spoils system. Arthur promoted civil-service reform-> Pendleton Act of 1883: made compulsory campaign contributions from federal employees illegal, established Civil Service Commission to make appointment to federal jobs on the basis of competitive exams rather than "spoils."
  • Interstate Commerce Act: In 1886 Wabash case, Supreme court decreed that individual states had no power to regulate interstate commerce. President Grover Cleveland was against regulation, but Congress ignored him and passed Interstate Commerce Act in 1887: prohibited rebates and pools and required the railroads to publish their rate openly. Also forbade unfair discrimination against shippers and outlawed charging more for a short haul than for a long one over the same line. Set up Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to administer and enforce new legislation. First attempt by federal government to regulate business in the interest of society.
  • Sherman Anti-Trust Act: People began to mobilize against monopoly. State legislatures tried to control trusts, but appealed to Congress. Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 signed into law. Forbade combinations in restraint of trade, without any distinction between "good" and "bad" trusts. Bigness was the sin. Law was ineffective because corporations found loopholes. BUT it was used to curb labor unions. (under President Harrison)
  • Lilliputians: Gilded Age presidents who are considered insignificant and unknown. (after impeachment of Johnson, people put more control into legislative branch)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Dear "Kiki" and "Anisha" and other members of "Cashion's Clan",

We would like to join your so called "clan." We are very perturbed that we missed today's study session. Because we were so rudely excluded we were forced to have our own five hour long study session and though fruitful we feel it lacked the academic prowess that exudes from this blog. If there are future study sessions, please notify us at "cdrew1420@yahoo.com" Furthermore, we live in Birmingham,Alabama. Is this too far away to reach your location? Please respond ASAP. -Caroline, Sara, Elizabeth

p.s. WE LOVE ALEXANDER HAMILTON TOO!