Discover the Progressive-Era Mayor Who Led City Reforms

Who was the Progressive-era mayor of Toledo who founded night schools, built new parks, established free kindergartens, and supported the right of workers to unionize?

Group of answer choices:

A. Mary "Raise Less Corn and More Hell" Lease

B. Hazen Pingree

C. "Big" Bill Haywood

D. Samuel "Golden Rule" Jones

Answer:

Samuel "Golden Rule" Jones

Samuel Milton "Golden Rule" Jones was a Welsh-born U.S. businessman and civic politician who lived between 1846 - 1904. He was widely known for his progressive policies and advocate of municipal reforms, such as the Ethic of Reciprocity or "GOLDEN RULE".

After his nomination and eventual election as the mayor of Toledo in 1897, he implemented significant reforms including establishing free kindergartens, free housing for the homeless, public ownership of utilities, and efforts to end corruption within the city government. He also ensured city employees enjoyed similar benefits to his factory workers.

Samuel "Golden Rule" Jones represents the broader Progressive movement's goals in improving democracy, working conditions, and social welfare. His dedication to municipal socialism, where the city government plays an active role in public welfare projects, set him apart as a key figure in Progressive-era reforms.