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Article: Spoils System

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SPOILS SYSTEM


The spoils system is the political practice of playing favorites. Used throughout U.S. history, it commonly takes the form of filling appointive offices with loyal supporters. Among the nation's early presidents Thomas Jefferson (1801 – 1809) made particular use of the practice to place his allies in influential civil service posts.

By the time President Andrew Jackson (1829 – 1837) took office in 1829, this method of rewarding one's political allies was an integral part of the workings of government. Jackson's friend, Senator William Marcy (1786 – 1857) of New York, coined the phrase "spoils system" in 1832, when he stated, "to the victor belong the spoils ...

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Albany Times Union (Albany, NY);  July 15, 1995 ;     680 words ... ... the hands of the parties altogether. A preferred arrangement by far would their selection by a blue-ribbon panel by a group, that is to say, that is not bound by party affiliation and does not view judicial office as a spoils system.

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