vcczar Posted September 15 Share Posted September 15 James G. Blaine of ME was arguably the most influential Gilded Age figure never elected president, despite many attempts. He was the frequent foe of Roscoe Conkling. It's typically considered the leader of the Half-Breeds, including by Mayhew, but some scholars dispute that. No doubt, Blaine was an anti-stalwart leader, but the Half-Breeds apparently weren't as formal as a group. On top of this, some saw Blaine as a hybrid of Stalwartism and Half-Breedism. The best argument for this is the Mugwumps jumping to Cleveland. Mugwumps were typically Half-Breed Republicans. Blaine's supporters called him the Plumed Knight, but his critics called hime The Continental Liar from the State of Maine. He was charismatic but also prone to scandal, although he may have arguably had personal integrity. Nevertheless, the aura of scandal often held on to him, upsetting his presidential ambitions. The main driving issue was civil service reform. Half-Breeds typically wanted to reduce tension from the Civil War by allowing Southern whites to integrate back into the governmental system. While the Stalwarts wanted control of civil service appointments to party loyalists, which included Black Southerners. There's upsides and downsides to both sides. One side was merit-based, in general, but the result would see blacks in the South purged from office as Southern whites regain power. The other wise would see a spoils system-style corruption, but it at least allowed blacks the only political influence they could have at the moment. It's win-lose either way you go. His actions: Blaine, James G. 1866 a leader of congressional moderates Blaine, James G. 1867 says disenfranchise former Confederates Blaine, James G. 1868 Initially opposes impeaching Johnson, but switches his vote when its time to vote Blaine, James G. 1869 Jay Cooke, RR exec, took mortgage on his house, causing minor scandal Blaine, James G. 1869 Half-Breed leader elected Speaker of the House Blaine, James G. 1872 Anti-Grant GOP considers running Blaine for pres, but he backs Grant Blaine, James G. 1872 asks exonerating investigation of self in Credit Mobilier scandal Blaine, James G. 1875 Comes in second in Speaker election Blaine, James G. 1875 rules change to ease passing Civil Rights Act of 1875 Blaine, James G. 1875 Does not vote on the House anti-third term resolution aimed at Grant Blaine, James G. 1875 Proposes the Blaine Amendment, prohibiting public funds for religious schools (mostly Catholic schools) Blaine, James G. 1875 Minority nominee for Speaker Blaine, James G. 1876 pres candidate of GOP Half-Breeds and the original frontrunner Blaine, James G. 1876 accused of taking $ from Union Pacific RR (Mulligan Letters) Blaine, James G. 1876 promotes Electoral Commission bill Blaine, James G. 1877 advises Hayes regarding appointments Blaine, James G. 1877 leader of GOP Half-Breeds Blaine, James G. 1878 Strongly opposes the Bland-Allison Act Blaine, James G. 1880 Rep Pres cand, favored by those opposed to Grant/Conkling wing Blaine, James G. 1880 seeks GOP pres nom Blaine, James G. 1881 appointed Sec of State for Garfield, serving as primary advisor Blaine, James G. 1881 Calls for Pan-American Conference of select Western Hemisphere nations Blaine, James G. 1881 Calls for a treaty to construct a Panama Canal w/o British involvement Blaine, James G. 1881 Walking with Garfield when the pres is shot by the assassin Blaine, James G. 1881 Resigns as Sec of State as he struggles to dominate the cabinet w/ Arthur (a stalwart) as pres Blaine, James G. 1882 Declines pressure to run for Congress again Blaine, James G. 1884 Rep nom for Pres, narrowly defeated by Cleveland Blaine, James G. 1888 Rep Pres Cand Blaine, James G. 1889 Confirmed Sec of State for Harrison, but rift w/ Harrison as Blaine is more popular than him Blaine, James G. 1890 Role in Pan-American Conference Blaine, James G. 1892 Resigns b/c of health, but may have done so for pres nom run against Harrison Blaine, James G. 1892 Rep pres cand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vcczar Posted September 15 Author Share Posted September 15 I don't feel strongly either way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rezi Posted September 15 Share Posted September 15 8 minutes ago, vcczar said: It's typically considered the leader of the Half-Breeds, including by Mayhew, but some scholars dispute that. No doubt, Blaine was an anti-stalwart leader, but the Half-Breeds apparently weren't as formal as a group. On top of this, some saw Blaine as a hybrid of Stalwartism and Half-Breedism. The best argument for this is the Mugwumps jumping to Cleveland. Mugwumps were typically Half-Breed Republicans. This reads like some Harry Potter shit 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vcczar Posted September 15 Author Share Posted September 15 35 minutes ago, Rezi said: This reads like some Harry Potter shit It's kind of typical historian obsession with categorizing things into neat columns and the demand for that. Things are typically more complicated and more fluid in real time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pringles Posted Friday at 09:21 PM Share Posted Friday at 09:21 PM Slightly lean approve. No strong feelings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vcczar Posted Friday at 09:30 PM Author Share Posted Friday at 09:30 PM 9 minutes ago, Pringles said: Slightly lean approve. No strong feelings. Same. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.