Political machines like Tammany Hall provided social services and jobs to immigrants in cities in exchange for votes, leading to corruption. Boss Tweed and the "Tweed Ring" controlled Tammany Hall and embezzled millions, leading to reforms like the Pendleton Civil Service Act to establish merit-based government hiring. Most late 1800s/early 1900s presidents pushed reforms, with the exceptions of Grant and Taft who maintained the status quo.