Pendleton Act: Merit Replaces Political Patronage
Tired of political cronies getting cushy government jobs just because they knew the right people, President Chester Arthur—a former patronage beneficiary himself—shocked everyone by pushing through a law that would fundamentally change federal hiring. The Pendleton Act meant government jobs would now require competitive exams, not just handshakes and backroom deals. No more selling positions to the highest bidder. And just like that, merit became more important than who you knew in Washington.
January 16, 1883
143 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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