The answer is **(a)**, widespread political corruption.
During the Gilded Age, politics were riddled with corruption as presidents awarded government positions to political supporters through the patronage or spoils system. This system allowed politicians to reward their supporters with jobs and other favors, regardless of their qualifications.
Reformers were bothered by this system because it led to a government that was inefficient and unresponsive to the needs of the people. They also argued that it was undemocratic, as it allowed politicians to stay in power by rewarding their supporters rather than by earning the votes of the people.
The other options are incorrect:
* **(b)**, lack of technological innovation: The Gilded Age was a time of great technological innovation, including the development of the telephone, the lightbulb, and the internal combustion engine.
* **(c)**, excessive government regulation: The Gilded Age was a time of limited government regulation, as businesses were largely allowed to operate freely without government interference.
* **(d)**, high levels of immigration: Immigration to the United States was high during the Gilded Age, but it was not a major issue for reformers. In fact, many reformers saw immigrants as a valuable source of labor and economic growth.
Some of the most notable reformers of the Gilded Age included:
* **Mark Twain** and **Charles Dickens**, who wrote satires and novels that exposed the corruption and inequality of the time.
* **Jacob Riis**, a journalist who photographed the slums of New York City to raise awareness of the plight of the poor.
* **Helen Keller**, a deafblind woman who became a leading advocate for social justice.
* **Susan B. Anthony** and **Elizabeth Cady Stanton**, who fought for women's suffrage.
The reforms of the Gilded Age led to a number of important changes, including the Pendleton Civil Service Act, which limited the use of patronage in government hiring, and the Interstate Commerce Act, which regulated the railroads.