Final answer:
The merit system proposed by republicans is designed to base employment on an individual's skill, with a focus on knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant to the job.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the merit system proposed by republicans, employment would be based on skill. This system was established to counter the previously used "spoils system," which rewarded political appointments based on party loyalty and patronage. The merit system emphasizes the use of a competitive examination process and the evaluation of specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) relevant to the job, thus ensuring that government employment is granted to the most qualified individuals. The Pendleton Act of 1883 was instrumental in establishing this practice, promoting efficiency and integrity in the hiring process for federal jobs.