How did the spoils system affect President James Garfield and his successor Chester A. Arthur
The spoils system was a practice in which politicians rewarded their supporters with government jobs or favors, irrespective of their qualifications or merit. This system was widespread in the 19th-century United States, especially during the administrations of Presidents Andrew Jackson and James Garfield.
James Garfield assumed office in 1881, at a time when the spoils system was prevalent in American politics. He wanted to reform the system, but faced resistance from members of his own party who benefited from the patronage system. One of the most influential members of the Republican Party, Senator Roscoe Conkling, was a staunch supporter of the spoils system and routinely clashed with Garfield over appointments to federal positions.
The tension over the spoils system boiled over when Garfield nominated William H. Robertson, a Conkling foe, for the coveted position of Collector of the Port of New York. Infuriated, Conkling and his ally, Senator Thomas Platt, resigned their Senate seats in protest, which only increased the public demand for civil service reform.
On July 2, 1881, President Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled office-seeker who believed he was owed a government job because of his support for Garfield's election. Garfield succumbed to his injuries on September 19, 1881, and Vice President Chester A. Arthur assumed the presidency.
The assassination of President Garfield dramatically underscored the need for civil service reform in the United States. Although Chester A. Arthur had previously been a prominent member of the Conkling faction that supported the spoils system, the tragedy of Garfield's assassination spurred him to embrace civil service reform.
As president, Arthur worked alongside Congress to pass the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883. The Act established the United States Civil Service Commission, designed to administer competitive exams for certain government positions, and effectively abolished the spoils system. It also made it illegal to require political contributions from government employees and set the foundation for the merit-based civil service system that exists today.
In summary, the spoils system had a significant impact on both President James Garfield and his successor Chester A. Arthur. It contributed to the tensions and conflicts within Garfield's administration and ultimately played a role in his assassination. The tragedy compelled Arthur to support civil service reform, leading to the passage of the Pendleton Act, which significantly curtailed the spoils system and introduced merit-based appointments in the federal government.