How did the spoils system affect President James Garfield and his successor Chester A Arthur?
The spoils system, which involved awarding government positions to loyal party supporters, had a significant impact on President James Garfield and his successor Chester A. Arthur.
Garfield's presidency was marred by political patronage and corruption, as he sought to reform the spoils system by appointing qualified individuals to government positions based on merit rather than political connections. This move was met with resistance from members of his own party, who were accustomed to being rewarded with government jobs for their support.
Ultimately, Garfield was assassinated in 1881 by a disgruntled office-seeker who was upset that he had not received a political appointment. This tragic event highlighted the dangers of the spoils system and led to calls for reform.
After Garfield's death, Chester A. Arthur, who had previously been a staunch supporter of the spoils system, became president. However, in the wake of Garfield's assassination, Arthur became a champion of civil service reform. He signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883, which established a merit-based system for selecting government employees and reduced the influence of political patronage.
Overall, the spoils system had a negative impact on both President Garfield and his successor Chester A. Arthur, but it ultimately led to significant reforms in the way government positions were filled.