1. From Spoils System to Civil Service
**The size of government grew from 53,000 workers in 1865
to 131,000 in By 1891, there were 166,000 workers.
Civil service- -a branch of government
service responsible for the routine
maintenance and running of the
government.
Grant tries to reform the Spoils System
by creating a civil service commission to
administer competitive tests for federal
jobs. The head of the commission
resigns 4 years later.

2. Grant’s successor, Rutherford B. Hayes also attempts
Civil service reform without much success.
The Assassination of Pres. James A. Garfield
-Garfield shot 2 times by a mentally ill Stalwart Rep.
who wanted a Stalwart as president.
-Died 80 days later
from infection
**The assassination of
Garfield was the turning
point for reform in
government.

3. Pendleton Act of 1883
-merit system
-competitive exams
-created a Civil Service Commission
-could not fire for political reasons
-could not force employees to make
political contributions
-only covered about 10% of jobs in government- -now
covers about 90%