Reforming the Gilded Age
#23
Politics during the Gilded Age centered on
- Reform of the Civil Service system
As government grew, the possibility of corruption grew
- Change was needed after corruption and scandal
o Disgraced the Grant Administration
Most government jobs, called civil service jobs
- Were filled by friends and supporters
o Officially known as the patronage system
 It was also known as the “spoils system”
Both parties, every president and all levels of government
- Used the patronage system
o Patronage insured political support
But the patronage system led to very inefficient government
- Unqualified, incompetent government employees
o And fraud and corruption
- Thousands of workers would be fired
o And replaced by new workers
Reformers called for a system based on merit
- Government jobs should be given to those most qualified
o Political views or support would not matter
 Government service could be a long term career
Republican Rutherford B. Hayes
- Was the first to push to reform civil service
o But the Congress was unwilling to support reform
Hayes appointed his cabinet based on qualification
- He established a Civil Service commission
The commission’s report focused on the US Customs
- Customs had become very corrupt
o Inspectors were taking bribes, and tax revenues
Hayes fired two New York customs agents
- Starting a conflict with the New York State “boss”
o Republican Senator Roscoe Conkling
Conkling was the most powerful Republican in the country
- Gave both Customs agents their jobs through patronage
For the Republicans
Civil Service reform became a very contentious issue
- And a major issue for the 1880 election
o With little support for reform among the bosses
 Hayes did not run for reelection
The 1880 Republican convention split into three factions
- The Stalwarts – who opposed civil service reform
o Led by Party Boss, Roscoe Conkling
- The Mugwumps – strongly favored civil service reform
o These were the independent thinkers in the party
- The Half-breeds – were loyal to the party machine
o But could be convinced to support reform
 They were led by James Blaine of Maine
The Republicans nominated a compromise candidate
- Moderate Ohio Congressman James A. Garfield
o But to ensure Conkling some control
 Stalwart Chester A. Arthur was picked as V.P.
 One of the Customs agents fired by Hayes
Garfield won the election and began Civil Service reform
- He introduced reform legislation
o And gave patronage jobs to the reform-minded
 And angered Roscoe Conkling and the Stalwarts
On July 2, 1881, a crazy lawyer shot and killed Garfield
- Had been turned down for a patronage job by Garfield
o Shouting “I am a Stalwart and Arthur will be President”
The assassination turned the public against the spoils system
Arthur now became an advocate for civil service reform
Congress was urged to pass the Pendleton Act of 1883
- All government service would be done based on merit
o A Civil Service Commission would be established
 To be responsible for all hiring and firing
 Based on examination and job performance