<P> Political patronage, while often associated with political machines, is not essential to the definition for either Safire or Britannica . </P> <P> The phrase is considered derogatory "because it suggests that the interest of the organization are placed before those of the general public", according to Safire . Machines are criticized as undemocratic and inevitably encouraging corruption . </P> <P> A political machine is a party organization that recruits its members by the use of tangible incentives--money, political jobs--and that is characterized by a high degree of leadership control over member activity . </P> <P> Political machines started as grass roots organizations to gain the patronage needed to win the modern election . Having strong patronage, these "clubs" were the main driving force in gaining and getting out the "straight party vote" in the election districts . </P>

Which of the following contributed to the rise of political machines during the golden age