What impact did this have on the presidents who were trying to get rid of the spoils system and higher people based on their qualifications (aka the Pendelton Act)
i have looked up different sites but it still don't help me.
thanks, the last artical helped
To understand the impact of the Pendleton Act on the presidents who aimed to reform the spoils system and hire based on qualifications, let's break it down:
The Pendleton Act, officially known as the Civil Service Reform Act of 1883, was implemented in response to the widespread practice of the spoils system. The spoils system, also called patronage, allowed elected officials to fill government positions with loyal political supporters, regardless of their qualifications. This resulted in a lack of merit-based hiring and often led to corruption and inefficiency in the government.
Now, let's discuss the impact of the Pendleton Act on the presidents who wanted to abolish the spoils system:
1. Creation of the Civil Service Commission: The Pendleton Act established the Civil Service Commission, which was responsible for overseeing the administration of civil service exams and ensuring fair and merit-based hiring practices. This took power away from the president in terms of direct appointments and transferred it to an independent commission that evaluated candidates based on their qualifications.
2. A shift toward a merit-based system: The Pendleton Act mandated that government positions be filled based on qualifications and merit through competitive examinations. This was a departure from the previous system, where positions were handed out as political rewards. The act aimed to professionalize the civil service, ensuring that individuals were hired based on their skills and expertise rather than political loyalty.
3. Reduction in political influence: Implementation of the Pendleton Act reduced the ability of presidents to reward their political allies with government positions. With the establishment of a merit-based system, political connections became less significant in the hiring process, leading to a decline in political patronage.
4. Increased bureaucracy and efficiency: By emphasizing qualifications over political connections, the Pendleton Act contributed to a more efficient and competent civil service. The act aimed to improve the quality of government employees by ensuring they were hired based on their abilities rather than their political affiliation, leading to a more effective functioning of the government.
Overall, the Pendleton Act had a positive impact on the presidents who sought to eliminate the spoils system. It shifted the focus towards a merit-based system, reduced the influence of political patronage, and contributed to a more efficient civil service.
This article explains some of the later effects of this act.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pendleton_Civil_Service_Reform_Act
And a better one --
http://legaldictionary.net/pendleton-act-of-1883/