Before 1883, how were government jobs awarded?

Question

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Before 1883, government jobs in the United States were awarded based on applicants' loyalty to the political party in power. This is known as the spoils system, in which government officials rewarded their supporters with jobs and other political favors. This system often led to corruption and inefficiency in government. The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 established a merit-based system for awarding government jobs based on applicants' qualifications, rather than political connections.

Before 1883, How Were Government Jobs Awarded