how did the spoils system affect president james Garfield and his successor Chester A. Arthur?

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The spoils system played a significant role in both President James Garfield's administration and his successor Chester A. Arthur's presidency. To understand its impact, let's begin by explaining what the spoils system was.

The spoils system, also known as the patronage system, was a practice in which political leaders rewarded their supporters with government positions and favors. It originated in the early 19th century and was particularly prevalent during the Gilded Age (late 19th century).

1. James Garfield:
James Garfield's presidency was deeply influenced by the spoils system. In 1880, Garfield became the Republican Party's presidential nominee. As part of his campaign, he promised civil service reform, advocating for a merit-based system that would replace the spoils system.

However, Garfield's assassination just a few months into his presidency prevented him from implementing his reform agenda fully. Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled supporter who believed he deserved a political appointment, shot Garfield in July 1881. Garfield's death further highlighted the need for civil service reform, as the spoils system had allowed an unqualified individual to believe he was entitled to a government position.

2. Chester A. Arthur:
Chester A. Arthur, who succeeded Garfield after his assassination, had an unexpected transformation when it came to the spoils system. Before becoming president, Arthur was a firm believer in the patronage system. In fact, he had served as the collector of the Port of New York, a position obtained through the spoils system.

However, Garfield's assassination and the public outcry against the spoils system had a profound impact on Arthur. He realized the urgent need for civil service reform and became a champion of it. In 1883, Arthur signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act into law, which established a merit-based system for federal employment. This act significantly reduced the influence of the spoils system and laid the foundation for a more professional and efficient civil service.

In summary, the spoils system had a direct impact on both President James Garfield and his successor Chester A. Arthur. Garfield's assassination was in part prompted by the system, as it allowed an unqualified individual to believe he deserved a government position. Arthur, previously a proponent of the spoils system, changed his position after Garfield's death and signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, effectively curtailing the spoils system and supporting a merit-based system.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoils_system

The failure of the spoils system brought on tragic consequences when in 1881 a frustrated office-seeker shot President James Garfield (1881) in a train station. Garfield's successor, Chester Arthur (1881–1885), though himself a creature of the spoils system, worked to dismantle it. The Pendleton Act of 1883 initiated reform of the system by establishing a federal Civil Service Commission and creating a class of government workers (14,000 out of a total of 100,000) who now had to take an examination to be awarded a government job. Though limited in size, the Civil Service Commission grew in later years.

The system was further refined in the twentieth century. To further separate civil service from politics, the Hatch Act (1940) forbid civil servants from political campaigning. The Hatch Act was revised in 1993 to allow most civil servants to participate in political activity on their personal time. Measures like the Civil Service Commission and the Hatch Act have been successful in limiting the use of the spoils system in the political process, but they haven't eradicated the practice. The spoils system is still (unofficially) practiced in some federal, state, and local government offices.