The meaning of potronage is the support or influence of a patron the patronage of science by universities 3 : kindness done with an air of superiority The prince deigned to bestow his patronage on the composer. 4 : business or activity provided by patrons the new branch library is expected to have a heavy patronage 5a : the power to make appointments to government jobs especially for political advantage oust his enemies from office and use the patronage to support his policies —H. K. Beale b : the distribution of jobs on the basis of patronage The governor filled the vacated positions through patronage. c : jobs distributed by patronage
The state labor laws that resulted from progressives lobbying to protect workers mostly had to do with setting limitations on how long workers could work per day in the factories. They also influenced the elimination of child labor.