Decline
As the spoils system became more established, its inherent flaws became increasingly apparent. The lack of qualifications among political appointees often resulted in inefficiency and a decline in the quality of government services. Additionally, the system fostered a culture of cronyism, where personal connections trumped merit in obtaining and retaining government positions.
By the mid-19th century, growing dissatisfaction with the spoils system spurred the emergence of reform movements advocating for a merit-based civil service. These movements, often led by journalists, intellectuals, and civic leaders, highlighted the inefficiencies and unethical practices associated with the spoils system. Their relentless advocacy and public pressure played a crucial role in shifting public opinion and building support for reform.
High-profile scandals, such as the Tweed Ring in New York City and the Whiskey Ring scandal during the Grant administration, further exposed the inherent vulnerabilities of the spoils system and eroded public trust in government institutions.
In 1881, Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker, assassinated President James A. Garfield, motivated by his belief that he deserved a government position as a reward for his political support. Garfield's assassination underscored the volatile nature of political patronage and its potential for violence. Public outrage over the incident intensified demands for reform.
The Civil Service Reform movement in the late 19th century provided a concerted effort to overhaul the existing system of political patronage. Reformers such as President Chester A. Arthur and Senator George H. Pendleton championed merit-based appointments and advocated for the establishment of competitive examinations to assess candidates' qualifications for government positions. The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883, enacted in the wake of Garfield's assassination, represented a significant milestone in this reform effort. It mandated that certain government positions be filled based on merit rather than political affiliation, thereby laying the groundwork for a more professional and impartial civil service. It also established a Civil Service Commission, tasked with developing and administering examinations for federal government positions.
While the act initially covered only about 10% of federal jobs, it marked a significant shift toward a merit-based system. Subsequent presidential administrations broadened the act's provisions, eventually extending its application to approximately 90% of appointed government jobs by the 1980s.
The decline of the spoils system was further solidified by the introduction of the Hatch Act in 1939. While the Pendleton Act introduced a merit-based system for federal employment, it did not address the political activities of federal employees. The Hatch Act sought to prevent political coercion and ensure the impartiality of the civil service by prohibiting federal employees from engaging in certain partisan political activities such as leveraging their official positions to influence an election or soliciting political contributions from subordinates. The act also established the Office of Special Counsel to investigate and enforce violations of its provisions.
While remnants of political patronage persist in some forms, particularly at the local level, the decline of the spoils system represented a significant step toward a more efficient, transparent, and accountable government.
