Republicans revive an idea that failed in the 19th century

Before 1880, virtually all federal employees were changed when a new president took office. Job seekers lined up outside the White House and the various departments hoping to get the ear of the president and cabinet officials. Many were turned away if they did not have political connections or failed to demonstrate how they helped get the president elected.

Today, it is an open question whether we will return to the 19th century spoils system.

A president’s murder

One man who was rejected for a diplomatic posting expressed his displeasure by shooting James A. Garfield, who had just become our 20th president. He died two months later.

The murder of the president by a patronage seeker prompted Congress to reform the government’s hiring practices. Many also realized that as America began to play a larger role on the world stage, it needed a government capable of supporting the country’s ambitions and interests.

The result was the passage of the Pendleton Act in 1883, which set up a system where civil servants were hired and promoted on the basis of merit. Once employed, they had the possibility of having a career in government, which provided an incentive to stay in its service.

The act initially covered only about 10% of the federal workforce. It did not cover the diplomatic service, however. It was not until after World War I that Congress passed the Rogers Act, which began to professionalize the Foreign Service. That legislation will have its 100th anniversary on May 24th.

For over a century, most political leaders appreciated the value of employees largely composed of professional, career people. They understood that government could not serve the people effectively if there were a massive turnover in personnel every time there was a new occupant of the White House. They also knew that American interests at home or abroad could not be protected if the only requirement for a job was loyalty to the president.

Back to the spoils system

Today, some influential voices want America to return to the 19th century spoils system. People at the Heritage Foundation and other groups are busy planning the resurrection of Schedule F. It is the executive order, issued by Donald Trump and rescinded by Joe Biden, that would strip any official who has anything to do with policy of any career protections or due process.

That would increase the number of political appointees in government from 4,000 to an estimated 50,000. Lists of the sufficient fervent without regard to qualifications are already being drawn up.

Even more jaw dropping is H.R. 8550, a bill sponsored by 15 Republican congressmen.

Called the Public Service Reform Act, it should really be titled the Public Service Extermination Act. It would make all federal jobs “at will,” and make paranoia about the “deep state” official policy.

It literally states that any employee of the executive branch “may be subject to any adverse personnel action (up to and including removal) for good cause, bad cause or no cause at all; and may not challenge or otherwise appeal such action.” The only exceptions are for whistleblowers and cases of discrimination where the appeals process established will ensure any complaints fall on deaf ears.

Whose failure?

“Good cause, bad cause or no cause at all.” There are 2.1 million civilian executive branch employees. Would any of them want to serve in government knowing they could be fired at any moment on any pretext? Are the failures of government and excessive regulations due to nameless bureaucrats — or to policies issued and altered by tweet and a congress that cannot agree on anything?

Not only President Garfield, but other Republicans like Teddy Roosevelt and Robert Taft must be spinning in their graves.