How did the spoils system affect President James Garfield and his successor Chester A Arthur
The spoils system, which involved rewarding political supporters with government jobs, had a significant impact on President James Garfield and his successor Chester A. Arthur. Garfield was critical of the spoils system and sought to reform it by advocating for civil service reform. However, he was assassinated by a disgruntled office seeker who felt he was owed a position in Garfield's administration. This tragic event highlighted the dangers and corruption of the spoils system.
After Garfield's death, Chester A. Arthur became president and surprisingly, he became a strong advocate for civil service reform. Arthur recognized the need for change and signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883, which aimed to eliminate the spoils system and establish a merit-based system for government jobs. This act marked a significant shift away from the spoils system and towards a more transparent and fair process for hiring government employees. Overall, the spoils system played a critical role in both Garfield and Arthur's presidencies, ultimately leading to reforms that aimed to address its flaws.