The Pendleton Civil Service Act aimed to eliminate what practice within the federal employment system?

• A. Recruitment based on merit
• B. Political favoritism and abuse
• C. Involvement of private companies
• D. Union interference

Answer: (B)

The Pendleton Civil Service Act, enacted in 1883, specifically aimed to eliminate political favoritism and the abuse of the patronage system within federal hiring practices. Before this act, many government positions were filled based on political connections rather than merit, leading to corruption and inefficiency. The Act established a merit-based system for certain federal positions, requiring candidates to pass examinations to qualify for jobs, which helped to reduce the influence of political affiliations on employment decisions. This transformation was crucial in promoting a more professional and competent federal workforce and laid the groundwork for modern civil service systems in the United States.