The president fought the spoils system with reform efforts between 1877 and 1881 but he failed.

The hiring and firing of the workers when presidential administrations changed in 19th century was known as spoils system. It began when president Jackson became the president in 1829. His supporters thought it necessary to reform the federal government. His opponent opponent considered it to be a corrupt be a corrupt method for political patronage.  The opponents liked to call it spoils system. The phrase was first used by Senator William L. Marcy in his speech. President Hayes wanted to reform the civil service appointments which were based on spoils system and tried to change it with merit system.