ANC: Least oppressive Gilded Age for workers while still industrializing

[DTF955Baseballfan]

How can one get the best results of a less harsh Gilded Age in the U.S..

criteria include better safety conditions, more concern about workers, especially protection for children, and so on. POD must be after 1800.

I'm thinking an earlier Womens' Suffrage movement would help a lot. Suffragists tended to also back reforms in other areas. I'm not sure what else would be helpful, but perhaps you all have ideas.

However, there has to be some industrializing by the Untied States for a successful answer tot he challenge. So, it can't be totally agrarian like Jefferson envisioned.

[Plumber]

A more effective President Grant is a good start.

[DTF955Baseballfan]

A more effective President Grant is a good start.

True, but I always think of his administration as an effect of the underlying greed and corruption and the whole idea of using others for gain - rather than a cause. Although I can see "No spoils system" - if people do not think government can be used to line one's pockets, maybe government itself, even before Grant, would be more willing to prevent others from using positions of power to do so without concern for the masses.

[MerryPrankster]

A harder line on the misuse of the Pinkertons--defending property against rioters is one thing, but shooting protesters is another.

[QuoProQuid]

Saving James Garfield would do wonders, from what I hear.

[David S Poepoe]

Although I can see "No spoils system" - if people do not think government can be used to line one's pockets, maybe government itself, even before Grant, would be more willing to prevent others from using positions of power to do so without concern for the masses.

You might as well be thinking about a POD during the Age of Henry Clay.

[Plumber]

Saving James Garfield would do wonders, from what I hear.
A stronger Grant Administration (so let's say Grant is more experienced in politics first) followed by a Garfield Administration would do wonders.

Perhaps Benjamin Butler becomes Lincoln's 1864 Vice-President, as almost happened IOTL? That would significantly affect Reconstruction, but I could see Grant be a Secretary of War there. And the backlash from corruption in a Butler Administration would make Grant more vigilant against corruption.

[Pesterfield]

Fewer people looking for work perhaps, or something else that makes it worth employers taking even basic precautions to keep their employees alive instead of seeing them as interchangeable?

[carlton_bach]

Less imigration, perhaps?

I remember mooting the idea of a United States Civil Service Academy along the lines of West Point and Annapolis being founded sometime in the 19th century. We didn't think of the labour law implications at the time, but a civil service mandarinate might be inclined that way.