Powers of the President of the United States for fourteen years to ensure agency independence. The president also appoints members to the boards of directors for government-owned corporations such as Amtrak. The president can also make a recess appointment if a position needs to be filled while Congress is not in session. In the past, presidents could appoint members of the United States civil service. This use of the spoils system allowed presidents to reward political supporters with jobs. Following the assassination of President James Garfield by Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker, Congress instituted a merit-based civil service in which positions are filled on a nonpartisan
Charles J. Albright He served as member of the State board of charities in 1875. He served as president of the board of school examiners of the Cambridge Union School 1881-1883. He died in Cambridge, Ohio, October 21, 1883. He was interred in South Cemetery. Charles J. Albright Charles Jefferson Albright (May 9, 1816 – October 21, 1883) was a U.S. Representative from Ohio. Born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Albright moved with his parents in 1824 to Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He received a limited schooling. He was employed in a harness shop and as a clerk in a rural store. Apprenticed as a printer.