This table shows presidential election results from 1876 to 1896.
Presidential Election Results, 1876-1896
Year Winner Percentage of
Popular Vote
1876 Rutherford B. Hayes 47.9%
1880 James Garfield 48.3%
1884 Grover Cleveland 48.8%
1888 Benjamin Harrison 47.8%
1892 Grover Cleveland 46.0%
1896 William McKinley 51.0%
Which conclusion about politics in the Industrial Age can be drawn from the trend in this table?

1. A period of decisive presidential elections eliminated the need for the practice of patronage.
2. A period of decisive presidential elections pointed out that the federal government did not need as much civil service reform as state and local governments.
3. A period of close presidential contests provided the right conditions for the spoils system to become a common political practice in the federal government.
4. A period of close presidential contests signaled the end of corruption≥ in the executive branch.