Definition of Spoils system

1. Noun. The system of employing and promoting civil servants who are friends and supporters of the group in power.

Generic synonyms: System, System Of Rules
Antonyms: Merit System

Lexicographical Neighbors of Spoils System

spoiled
spoiled brat
spoiled brats
spoiler
spoiler effect
spoiler effects
spoiler space
spoilered
spoilerific
spoilers
spoilfive
spoilful
spoiling
spoils
spoils of war
spoils system (current term)
spoilsman
spoilsmen
spoilsmonger
spoilsmongers
spoilsport
spoilsports
spoilt
spoilt for choice
spoke
spoke-shave
spoke in tongues
spoked
spokein
spokeless

Literary usage of Spoils system

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting (1902)
"The reason is, that under the spoils system of distributing offices the fitness of the man ... You cannot do any good thing while the spoils system remains. ..."

2. The Social Welfare Forum: Official Proceedings ... Annual Forum by National Conference on Social Welfare, American Social Science Association, Conference of Charities (U.S., Conference of Charities (U.S.), National Conference of Social Work (U.S. (1899)
"Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen,— I have no speech to make to you upon the reform of the civil service or the abolition of the spoils system in ..."

3. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1920)
"In 1841, then, the spoils system had been recognized by both parties and might be ... The Significance of the spoils system.— The continuous progress of the ..."

4. American Politics: Political Parties and Party Problems in the United States by James Albert Woodburn (1903)
"The spoils system consists of the practice of using the Definition of public offices as party rewards. The system the spoils regards the public office first ..."

5. American Politics: Political Parties and Party Problems in the United States by James Albert Woodburn (1903)
"... instead of party service should be the basis of appointment to office and retention therein. The spoils system consists of the practice of using the ..."

6. The Social Welfare Forum: Official Proceedings [of The] Annual Meeting by Conference of Charities and Correction (U.S.), National Conference on Social Welfare, American Social Science Association, National Conference of Social Work (U.S.) (1899)
"Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen,— I have no speech to make to you upon the reform of the civil service or the abolition of the spoils system in ..."

7. The Social Welfare Forum: Official Proceedings ... Annual Forum by National Conference on Social Welfare, American Social Science Association, Conference of Charities (U.S., Conference of Charities (U.S.), National Conference of Social Work (U.S. (1901)
"THE ESSENTIAL INIQUITY OF THE spoils system. BY PHILIP C. GARRETT. In 1896 this Conference received a report on this subject, which left no room for doubt ..."

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