Answer:
A. Presidents needed the support of Congress to make the changes to the civil service they wanted.Step-by-step explanation:
- The 'Civil Service Reform' was the reform that primarily aimed to enhance the functioning of civil service in a more democratic and constructive manner.
- Benjamin Harrison, the former president, stated that he would back the idea of giving significance to merit during the recruitment of civil servants.
- However, he had the fear of being isolated as the Congress was itself segregated on this matter, and thus, he required their backing to take this issue further.
- This segregation lead both the parties, Republicans, as well as, Democrats, to go against the presidents who backed such reform and some to even go against the extension of jobs as stated by the Pendleton Act (1883).
Thus, options A, C, and E are the correct answers.