Mugwumps U.S. Civil Service Reform

the mugwumps republicans refused support republican presidential candidate james g. blaine in 1884.

political patronage, known spoils system, issue angered many reform-minded republicans, leading them reject blaine s candidacy. in spoils system, winning candidate dole out government positions had supported political party prior election. although pendleton act of 1883 made competency , merit base qualifications government positions, effective implementation slow. political affiliation continued basis appointment many positions.

in 1880s, issue of political patronage split republican party down middle several consecutive sessions of congress. party divided 2 warring factions, each creative names. side held upper hand in numbers , popular support half-breeds, led senator james blaine of maine. half-breeds supported civil service reform, , blocked legislation , political appointments put forth main congressional opponents, stalwarts, led roscoe conkling of new york.

ironically, blaine reform wing of own party, mugwumps rejected candidacy. division among republicans may have contributed victory in 1884 of grover cleveland, first president elected democratic party since civil war. in period 1876 1892, presidential elections closely contested @ national level, states dominated single party, democrats prevailing in south , republicans in northeast. although defection of mugwumps may have helped cleveland win in new york, 1 of few closely contested states, historians attribute cleveland s victory nationwide rising power of urban immigrant voters.