<P> A political machine is a political group in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses (usually campaign workers), who receive rewards for their efforts . The machine's power is based on the ability of the workers to get out the vote for their candidates on election day . </P> <P> Although these elements are common to most political parties and organizations, they are essential to political machines, which rely on hierarchy and rewards for political power, often enforced by a strong party whip structure . Machines sometimes have a political boss, often rely on patronage, the spoils system, "behind - the - scenes" control, and longstanding political ties within the structure of a representative democracy . Machines typically are organized on a permanent basis instead of a single election or event . The term may have a pejorative sense referring to corrupt political machines . </P>

The political machine that ruled california in the 1880s was dominated by