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What is the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act?
The 47th Congress passed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act during its lame duck session and President Chester A. Arthur, himself a former spoilsman, signed the bill into law. The Pendleton Civil Service Act provided for the selection of some government employees by competitive exams, rather than ties to politicians or political affiliation.
What is the history of the Pendleton Act?
Legislative history. The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act is a United States federal law passed by the 47th United States Congress and signed into law by President Chester A. Arthur on January 16, 1883.
Does the Pendleton Act apply to all federal employees?
The act now covers a majority of federal employees. Although state patronage systems and numerous federal positions were unaffected by the law, Karabell argues that the Pendleton Act was instrumental in the creation of a professional civil service and the rise of the modern bureaucratic state.
Did King Arthur support the Pendleton Service Act?
Despite his previous love for the spoils system, Arthur became an adamant supporter of the Pendleton Service Act and civil reform in general. The Pendleton Act was formally passed into law in January of 1883.
What did the Pendleton Act of 1883 do?
Legislative history. The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act is a United States federal law passed by the 47th United States Congress and signed into law by President Chester A. Arthur on January 16, 1883. The act mandates that most positions within the federal government should be awarded on the basis of merit instead of political patronage.
What jobs were covered by the Pendleton Act?
At first, the Pendleton Act only covered very few jobs, as only 10% of the US government’s civilian employees had civil service jobs. However, there was a ratchet provision whereby outgoing presidents could lock in their own appointees by converting their jobs to civil service.