The spoils system led to political corruption during President Garfield's administration, as officials were appointed based on loyalty rather than merit. Garfield's assassination by a disappointed office-seeker highlighted the dangers of this system. His successor, Chester A. Arthur, worked to reform the system by advocating for civil service reform. Arthur's administration passed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883, which marked a significant shift towards a more merit-based system of government appointments.
