(1883) U.S. legislation establishing the modern civil-service system of permanent federal employment based on merit. Public demand for civil-service reform to replace the system based on political party affiliation (the spoils system) resulted in a bill sponsored by Sen. George Pendleton, which provided for selection of government employees by competitive examination administered by a civil-service commission. Only 10% of government jobs were originally covered by the law, but successive Congresses expanded its scope to include more than 90% of federal employees
born July 29, 1825, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. died Nov. 24, 1889, Brussels, Belg. U.S. politician. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1857 to 1865 and was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for vice president (with George B. McClellan) in 1864. A member of the Greenback movement, he advocated the Ohio Idea for redeeming American Civil War bonds. From 1879 to 1885 he served in the U.S. Senate, where he sponsored the Pendleton Civil Service Act. He served as minister to Germany from 1885 to 1889
born July 29, 1825, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. died Nov. 24, 1889, Brussels, Belg. U.S. politician. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1857 to 1865 and was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for vice president (with George B. McClellan) in 1864. A member of the Greenback movement, he advocated the Ohio Idea for redeeming American Civil War bonds. From 1879 to 1885 he served in the U.S. Senate, where he sponsored the Pendleton Civil Service Act. He served as minister to Germany from 1885 to 1889