The correct answer is C) the use of political jobs as a reward for party loyalty.
The spoils system is the use of political jobs as a reward for party loyalty.
There was a time in the United States politics when the men who occupied offices in the government were not the most capable or prepared, but the friends and supporters of the winning candidate. That was the spoil system. This questionable practice started with President Andrew Jackosn in 1829. The system awarded the supporters and friends who had supported Jackson to get to the presidency as a "thank you gift" for their help.