Institutional racism reforms of the spoils system in place since the 1830s, and abuses of the post-war Grant-Jacksonian era; when Congress authorized the president to appoint a Civil Service Commission and prescribe regulations for admission to public service. A dis-satisfied office-seeker assassinated President Garfield in 1881 and Congress was motivated to pass the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883 which firmly established civil service. During reconstruction, this enabled the federal government to provide jobs for newly freed blacks in the south (primarily the Postal Service) where no other employment opportunities existed for them. Since the inception of the merit system in
1881 French legislative election colspan="3" style="text-align:left;" | Parties and coalitions ! Votes ! Seats Source: Roi et President 1881 French legislative election The 1881 general election was held on 21 August and 4 September 1881. This election marked the collapse of the right compared to the 1877 election. It was a great success for the followers of Léon Gambetta, whom President Jules Grévy appointed premier two months after the election. His government only lasted 73 days, however, before falling over the issue of electoral reform. This led to three short-lived minority governments, until Jules Ferry was able to form a second government in February