Essay On Civil Service Reform

Words: 427
Pages: 2

It is 1881 and as President of the United States I am split between the decision to benefit myself and my Republican party the Stalwarts, or to satisfy the public’s needs for a Civil Service reform. As a politician I know that it’s important to elect officials who are dependable, and that will improve the country in all manners. Even at the cost of only being a one-termed president, I believe it is best for the people if I choose to go against the patronage system and emplace the Civil Service Act.
The nation was increasing rapidly along with the demand for professional appointed Government officials. However corruption rose, and inefficiency amongst the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, became the standard of our nation. Throughout the 1880 campaign both the Democratic Party as well as the Republican Party participated in partisanship. Bribery and flattery were one of many methods the party’s used to sway individuals to vote the party ticket.

In the eyes of every honest observer who witnessed these unscrupulous politicians to allow their loyal political workers to obtain a government job, without the qualifications, was simply a crime. No matter how hard
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Garfield, “was assassinated by an insane office- seeker” that the nation and I (including political leaders) realized the importance of a Civil Service System. “Reformers explained to their fellow citizens that “we have to deal with a wide-spread evil, which defrauds the country in the collection of taxes on a scale so gigantic that the commissioners of revenue, collectors, assessors, and the Treasury officers-at least those of them who are honest—bow their heads in shame and despair.” “A handful of influential reformers channeled public opinion to support their measure—the Pendleton Act.” “ This act required that a limited portion of the civil service, referred to as the classified service, be selected by competitive