Dictionary.net

The substitution of business principles and methods for political methods in the conduct of the civil service. esp. the merit system instead of the spoils system in making appointments to office.

The substitution of business principles and methods for political methods in the conduct of the civil service. esp. the merit system instead of the spoils system in making appointments to office.

The evils of the "spoils system" had long been felt, when in 1865, Mr. Thomas A. Jenckes, of Rhode Island, introduced into the House his first bill to reform the civil service. It was defeated several times. In 1871 an act was passed giving the President authority to prescribe rules for admission into the civil service. A civil service commission was appointed, with George William Curtis at its head, and began the work of introducing tests of fitness in the place of political influence. But in 1873 Congress discontinued its appropriation for the commission, and in 1874 President Grant abandoned the system. In 1883 the Pendleton Act, so called from Senator Pendleton, of Ohio, was passed. It provided for a civil service commission of three, representing both parties, which should provide competitive examinations for entrance into such classes of the civil service as the President should designate. The President (Arthur) applied the system at once to the departments at Washington, and to all custom-houses and post-offices where more than fifty clerks were employed. It has since been extended to the railway mail service and to the Indian service, etc., and now includes some thirty or more thousand employees in its scope.