Political Machine Dbq

The Political machine provides a service to the American Political system by directly engaging with the general public on trying to satisfy the communities’ needs and issues, helping to reduce discrimination against a majority of under privileged in the government sector, and lastly provides continuous efficiency in order to maintain such a large following.
While many immigrants and under-privileged citizens were stricken with poverty, there where very few outlets that heard their grievances. The political machines such as New York's infamous "Tammany Hall" served as a gate way for their problems being solved. The political machines would hear out these issues within the community and provide solutions whether it be handing out money and or incentives by way of jobs. The citizens especially during the mid 19th century had formed some distrust of the government and certain political parties that only looked out for their own interests. However, the political machines formed a direct relationship with the people in order

to gain their vote. This established trust, which in turn made the people loyal to Tammany Hall. The general public who fit into the bracket of low income were aware that they were not seen as highly important to the government and these other political parties, which wanted to regulate sectors of their life without hearing their views. The people received opportunities and better jobs from the political machines, due to their active role in the voting process. In Plunkitt of Tammany Hall he mentions that "a politician must form a direct relationship with the people, because books can only get you so far." It is not so much of what you know at times, but how you can relate to their situation. The political system was so conditioned to being a certain type of way that when problems arise there seemed to be no room for a solution. Once politicians began to emphasize a more direct approach, grievances started to become taken care of. Plunkitt then mentions that "If a family is burned out I don't ask them if they are Republicans or Democrats, and I don't refer them to the Charity Organization Society, which would investigate their case in a month or two and decide if they are worthy of help about the time they are dead from starvation." He makes a direct attempt to help with food, clothing, and shelter. The governmental process can be prolonged while the political bosses can immediately provide service, and the people see their needs being met at a quicker rate.
In addition, Plunkitt mentions the importance of appearances, which reflects how individuals perceive others. He mentions that some politicians become so vain in their appearance that they forget what they were set out to do. Plunkitt dresses in a normal fashion which helps him talk the language of the people. In doing so, it makes it more likely that the politician can relate to their issues more than an individuals who dresses flashy just in order to gain their vote. Genuine heartfelt motivation is what drives politics and the political bosses understood this and emphasized this tactic in order to win over their voters.
Secondly, attempting to effectively incorporate different types of individuals into the government sector was another major goal of the political machine. Strategically devised, it was aimed at evening the playing field, so that those who participated in the voting process could be incorporated. Plunkitt states that he is "highly against civil service which is based on obtaining a government job by merit." This in turn can be used as a tactic to weed out certain individuals within the general public. He says that "when one fails to meet the standards they are no longer patriotic." They hope and fall for the dream and then are disappointed, because it is design for only a select few. How can it be a democratic system for the people and by the people when there are only one type of individual holding this office? The spoils system in a sense is used as a remedy in the political machines eyes in order to correct the "democratic system." The idea of eliminating the civil service was constantly discussed in Plunkitt of Tammany Hall. Political machine leaders such as Plunkitt saw the importance of having the people involved in the government and being apart of the political system. Plunkitt states in chapter six "Another thing, I can always get a deserving man a job. I make it a point to keep track of jobs." There are numerous of men that are deserving of a job, but are hindered by status and not meeting the standard of the civil service examination. As a result the political bosses hold contracts and grant them to those who are deserving spreading resources to those who are not seen as worthy to others.
Lastly, the political machines demonstrates continuous efficiency in order to maintain such a large following of supporters.

The nature of the political machine can be described as a "well oiled machine." They are constantly in the community making it known that they are the ones to trust. Within chapter five, Plunkitt states "When the people elected Tammany, they knew just what they were doin', we didn't put up any false pretenses." This goes to show that there were political parties that claimed to make a difference and never carried out their promises. The support was given, but the people were neglected. By constantly doing for the community it showed the people that Tammany was here to stay. Even after receiving the votes of their supporters, they are still helping in the community. The sense of patronage and trust is not taken for granted. It is constantly being used back and forth, which enables Tammany Hall to receive straight ticket

votes.
In conclusion, the political machines provide a service for the American Political system that directly makes contact with the community which results in issues being solved, individuals being incorporated into the job sector, and lastly remaining an efficient system by way of operation. In turn this helps the political machine gain access to voters and remain in charge for a substantial amount of time.