Andrew Jackson as Administrator

Abstract

the subject have transmitted to posterity a vivid but not very accurate portrait of Jackson as an administrator. Accepting the traditional view of Jackson's personality, they have depicted him as impulsive, rash, and overbearing. But the representation of Jackson as an arbitrary and headstrong administrator is based almost wholly upon an examination of his early career. While the events of that period of his life tend to justify such an opinion, the Jackson who took upon himself the responsibilities of the presidency in 1829 was no longer the fiery egoist of previous years. Jackson sobered greatly in the period 1820-24, perhaps coming to realize that his reputation for hasty action could be a serious political liability. Whatever the cause, the Jackson of 1829-37 reveals quite different traits from the impetuous individual whom Marquis James so aptly termed the Border Captain. As President, Old Hickory revealed a political acumen, a tact, and an ability to achieve his ends by indirection that had been sadly lacking in his earlier years. The fact that the spoils system first manifested itself in the federal government during his administration has also served to obscure