Purchase and Sale of Federal Offices

Archive Report

Two bills aimed against the purchase and sale of federal offices, passed by both houses in the closing hours of the last session of Congress without debate, were signed by President Coolidge, December 11, 1926. These measures, although they constituted the most important addition to the federal statutes dealing with patronage evils since the passage of the civil service law in 1883, attracted little public attention either at the time they were passed or when they were approved by the President.

The first of the new acts is a blanket prohibition of the payment, solicitation or receipt by any person of any sum of money or other thing of value for the purpose of procuring an appointment under the Government of the United States.

The second ...

locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles