... making himself indispensable to the state Republican political machine run by U.S. Senator Roscoe Conkling. Political machines organized voters for the support of a candidate, and under what was called the spoils system, the most dedicated, loyal workers expected to be awarded government jobs in return for their services to the machine. In 1868 Conkling and his lieutenants supported General Ulysses S. Grant as ... were granted to reward loyalty and service to the political party in power, and political leaders fiercely guarded their right to appoint friends and supporters to government ...

• Word Count: 1646
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School