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Chapter Eighty-Two: Pensions and Greed
Chapter Eighty-Two: Pensions and Greed
Despite Lovelace appointing her cabinet based on merit, this was not a common thing among the state departments themselves. Many member of the state department were chosen via wealth or family connections something Lovelace ignored. Congress was divided on the issue and Lovelace was reluctant to address the issue for fear of alienating the cabinet and congress. Lovelace had gotten most of her agenda done in office and knew she couldent do it if she alienated them.
Lovelace knew she had to do something. She set up a reform Commission in order to evaluate changes. She appointed Theodore Roosevelt and Hugh Smith Thompson, both reformers, to the Commission, but otherwise did little to further the reform cause. Lovelace largely ignored Roosevelt, who frequently called for the establishment of a merit system. By ignoring Roosevelt, Lovelace pushed Roosevelt towards the democratic-republicans who had became anti-big business while the socialists stood behind businesses while also trying to advance rights. Many considered it odd the socialists would do this but Lovelace knew that their ideals would never pass without business support. Lovelace’s solution to the growing surplus in the federal treasury was to increase pensions for veterans. She had presided over the enactment of the Dependent and Disability Pension Act. However, the damage was done, the news of family members in state departments and bribes going around reached the media. The shine of a new tomorrow of progressive socialists faded though they had done good they were nothing different now to what had come before. Because of her inability to act on the spoils system, Lovelace would be remembered only as a mediocre president despite her successes.