Changes

Garfield was removed to the "Jersey shore" (the ocean-front property along the coast of New Jersey) to recuperate.  The helped at first, but ultimately an infection in the wound killed him on September 19, 1881, when he died from an internal hemorrhage.  

Garfield was removed to the "Jersey shore" (the ocean-front property along the coast of New Jersey) to recuperate.  The helped at first, but ultimately an infection in the wound killed him on September 19, 1881, when he died from an internal hemorrhage.  

The assassination shocked the country and discredited the Stalwarts.  Vice President Chester Arthur, who was Garfield's running mate in order to appease the Stalwarts, had never been elected to any public office before then, and was never elected to one afterward either!  He had been an abolitionist and a New York attorney.  Historians view him as being ineffective as a president, which is not surprising given his lack of experience for the position.  President Arthur did, however, abandon the Stalwarts and establish a civil service system whereby the victors cannot fire and replace government workers with his supporters.

The assassination shocked the country and discredited the Stalwarts.  Vice President Chester Arthur, who was Garfield's running mate in order to appease the Stalwarts, had never been elected to any public office before then, and was never elected to one afterward either!  He had been an abolitionist and a New York attorney.  Historians view him as being ineffective as a president, which is not surprising given his lack of experience for the position.   

Specifically, President Arthur signed into law the Pendleton Act in 1883, which established an examination system for federal jobs.  It also established the Civil Service Commission, which is a bipartisan committee to administer federal exams.  Those who supported "reform" of the government employment system declared victory.

The Democratic Party won big in the congressional elections of 1882, by advocating reform of the patronage or "spoils system."  President Arthur then abandoned the Stalwarts and established a civil service system whereby the victors cannot fire and replace government workers with his supporters.  Specifically, President Arthur signed into law the Pendleton Act in 1883, which established an examination system for federal jobs.  It also established the Civil Service Commission, which is a bipartisan committee to administer federal exams.  Those who supported "reform" of the government employment system declared victory.

 

== Big Business and Big Oil ==

== Big Business and Big Oil ==