<P> The assassination of President James A. Garfield moved the Civil Service Reform from city organizations to a leading topic in the political realm . President Garfield was shot in July 1881 by Charles Guiteau , because Guiteau believed the president owed him a patronage position for his `` vital assistance '' in securing Garfield 's election the previous year . Garfield died two months later , and Vice President Chester A. Arthur acceded to the presidency . Once in office , President Arthur pushed through legislation for civil reform . </P>
what event triggered the push for civil service reform of the 1880s
The assassination of President James A. Garfield