US/VA History The Age of the Common Man: EXAMPLE: Spoils System

Spoils System

Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History, 2015

From U.S. History in Context

The spoils system, used throughout U.S. history, is the political practice of playing favorites—a government official appoints loyal supporters who will enthusiastically promote the official's budgetary and policy preferences. Among the nation's early presidents, Thomas Jefferson (in office 1801–09) made particular use of the practice to place his allies in influential civil service posts. In the early twenty-first century it remained common for elected officials to use political appointments to reward top campaign donors and others who were instrumental in winning the election.

By the time Andrew Jackson (in office 1829–37) became president, this method of rewarding political allies was an integral part of the workings of government.

"Spoils System." Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History, edited by Thomas Riggs, 2nd ed., vol. 3, Gale, 2015, pp. 1246-1247. U.S. History in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3611000850/UHIC?u=spri48590_e&xid=1e839fc1. Accessed 13 Nov. 2017.

"They see nothing wrong in the rule that to the victors belong the spoils of the enemy."

` William Marcy in Speech to the Unites States Senate, January 1832

President Andrew Jackson Announces his Policy of Rotation in Office, in his First Annual Message to Congress, December 8, 1829

Excerpt:

There are, perhaps, few men who can for any great length of time enjoy office and power without being more or less under the influence of feelings unfavorable to the faithful discharge of their public duties. Their integrity may be proof against improper considerations immediately addressed to themselves, but they are apt to acquire a habit of looking with indifference upon the public interests and of tolerating conduct from which an unpracticed man would revolt. Office is considered as a species of property, and government rather as a means of promoting individual interests than as an instrument created solely for the service of the people. Corruption in some and in others a perversion of correct feelings and principles divert government from its legitimate ends and make it an engine for the support of the few at the expense of the many. The duties of all public officers are, or at least admit of being made, so plain and simple that men of intelligence may readily qualify themselves for their performance; and I can not but believe that more is lost by the long continuance of men in office than is generally to be gained by their experience. I submit, therefore, to your consideration whether the efficiency of the Government would not be promoted and official industry and integrity better secured by a general extension of the law which limits appointments to four years.

In a country where offices are created solely for the benefit of the people no one man has any more intrinsic right to official station than another. Offices were not established to give support to particular men at the public expense. No individual wrong is, therefore, done by removal, since neither appointment to nor continuance in office is a matter of right. The incumbent became an officer with a view to public benefits, and when these require his removal they are not to be sacrificed to private interests. It is the people, and they alone, who have a right to complain when a bad officer is substituted for a good one. He who is removed has the same means of obtaining a living that are enjoyed by the millions who never held office. The proposed limitation would destroy the idea of property now so generally connected with official station, and although individual distress may be some times produced, it would, by promoting that rotation which constitutes a leading principle in the republican creed, give healthful action to the system.

Andrew Jackson: "First Annual Message," December 8, 1829. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29471.