The experience of Reconstruction among Democrats, and inexperience of a party at the crossroads among Republicans led to a general consensus throughouf the nation to reform the spoils system. Democrats leaped at the prospect of controlling government offices without winning elections through a so-called "professional career bureaucracy." It seemed like a logical, "[[Progressive era|progressive]]" reform. | The experience of Reconstruction among Democrats, and inexperience of a party at the crossroads among Republicans led to a general consensus throughouf the nation to reform the spoils system. Democrats leaped at the prospect of controlling government offices without winning elections through a so-called "professional career bureaucracy." It seemed like a logical, "[[Progressive era|progressive]]" reform. |