The spoils system, which is the practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs, significantly impacted James Garfield’s presidency and political career. Garfield, who assumed office in 1881, was a product of this controversial system yet sought to reform it.
Upon taking office, Garfield faced immense pressure from factions within his own party, particularly the Stalwarts, who were staunch advocates of the spoils system. They expected him to appoint their loyalists to key positions, but Garfield aimed to promote merit-based appointments instead. This clash led to a significant conflict between him and Senator Roscoe Conkling, a powerful Stalwart leader.
This struggle for control of patronage jobs culminated in a political crisis that undermined Garfield’s presidency. In July 1881, just months after he took office, Garfield was shot by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker who felt entitled to a post in Garfield’s administration. Guiteau’s actions were fueled by the frustrations associated with the spoils system and the lack of appointments he believed he deserved.
In the wake of Garfield’s assassination, his death sparked a national outcry, resulting in a push for civil service reform. This ultimately led to the Pendleton Act of 1883, which established a merit-based system for federal employment, diminishing the impact of the spoils system. In this way, while the spoils system created immediate challenges for Garfield, it also laid the groundwork for significant political reform in the years that followed.