before the people realized how badly the politicians treated them, the politicians had no reason to fear meeting with people that had pitchforks in hand, and outnumbered the suits

I wonder when the greed and corruption became so well known that the tide turned from respect of politicians to despise. Probably after politicians quit wearing beards. It must have been before Nam. Obviously anyone in New York City and Chicago were familiar with it, I bet that they still teach Tammany Hall in public school.

I would guess the Illinois governor streak of prison sentences isn't over yet, nor California governors facing recall, and the District of Columbia consistently has the highest rate of federal public corruption convictions, followed by Louisiana, Montana, South Dakota, Kentucky, and West Virginia.

There once was a blanket cover up by reporters for the illegal activities of politicians, maybe they were stuck in hero worship mode due to WW1 and WW2, Sgt York, Charles Lindbergh, Chesty Puller, Chuck Yeager,  and Glen Armstrong, etc. But somewhere, things turned to where reporters went out to shine a light on the crimes and shames. 

I suppose it was some time after we stopped electing farmers (Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Lincoln, Carter) and it became only possible to get elected if you were a millionaire without a job. 

https://forums.aaca.org/topic/341211-period-images-to-relieve-some-of-the-stress/page/393