The spoils system, which involved the practice of appointing individuals to government positions based on political loyalty rather than merit, played a significant role in the presidency of James Garfield. Garfield was assassinated by a disgruntled office seeker who believed he was owed a position in the administration. Garfield's successor, Chester A. Arthur, came into office following his assassination and worked to reform the spoils system by supporting the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883, which established a system of merit-based appointments in the federal government.
