Crossing the border
Chapters 6 & 7 of Chudacoff and Smith highlight the change from Boss politics to the ruling of commercial elite. Under the banner of municipal reform wealthy white business pointed out all of the social degradation that Boss politics allowed; i.e. gambling, prostitution, liquor (saloon and taverns). These elite wanted to strip power from immigrants and immigrant representatives to further their own agendas. Eventually they succeeded in over throwing Boss politics, and were now able to further oppress minority population. Corruption in politics has always existed and will continue to exist but at least in Boss politics immigrants were able to have a voice.
Relating this to more modern times we have the under representation of minorities in government, for example Mexican and Mexican American. Even though they constitute and ever growing minority they are almost never considered in legislation. They are constantly being attacked through immigration policy and have little to no educational opportunities. These white elite politicians say that they have community’s best interest in mind but they do not even know who is in the community. This one goes to Boss politics; they had the little guy in mind.