Spoils vs. Merit

The United States goverment uses a typical method for employing people with goverment jobs. This method, or system is called the spoils system. Prior to 1881 it was very common for presidents to replace governent workers with ones who assisted the president during his campaign. Although before 1881 the president could put people in high ranking jobs wether they be qualified or not. That is why it is called the Spoils system because "to the victor goes the spoils".  Typically the president picks friends, family, or loved ones into high ranked positions because they were a victor. During Goerge Washingtons presidency he chose many federalist to these postions. Then in 1881 James A Garfield started the Pendleton Civil Servive Reform act. This basically eliminated the spoils system and replaced it with the Merit System. This system made it harder for these positions to be taken.