Pendleton Civil Service Act

Audience

The Pendleton Act was written for both American politicians and the American populace. When Senator George Pendleton introduced his bill to the Senate in December 1880, the proposal received little attention. Eaton soon approached Pendleton in the hope of persuading him to submit the document drafted by the New York Civil Service Reform Association. Pendleton agreed and introduced the bill, yet no action was taken. After President Garfield's assassination, the American people demanded that the civil service be reformed. Many politicians failed to realize how strongly the people felt on the matter, refusing to make any changes. This attitude, however, cost them votes in the 1882 mid-year election. When Pendleton's bill went before the Senate again in December 1882, it was immediately passed.

The Pendleton Act was written primarily for the American people, and so is its language. It is written in language that the layperson can understand and is not filled with technical wording. However, the act does cite very specific actions that the president and his appointed commissioners must take.