The system of appointments and patronage that exists today evolved over time, eliminating or at least curbing many abuses while recognizing and retaining the practical benefits. A fairly recent example of the process is the publication every four years of a government document that has become indispensable to federal job seekers. The plum book lists a wide variety of jobs in the middle and top levels of government that fall outside the regular civil service, from cabinet secretaries to a secretary's chauffeur with thousands of deputies, directors, assistants, adjuncts, and commissioners in between. Entries may vary in completeness but generally include the title, incumbent, rank, salary, and tenure of each position. Not all or even most positions listed in the book are filled after each election.
Several categories exist that offer a president more or less latitude in making such appointments.
This means they can be hired and fired at will. Many others are career appointments and are identified as such, or they are jobs that demand a degree of continuity to function properly. The plum book serves to identify jobs where a president and his staff may appoint as the opportunity and need require. This list of possible presidential appointees originated with the Eisenhower administration of 1952. After twenty-two years out of office the Republicans were convinced that Democrats were entrenched throughout the government, and they requested a list of positions that President Eisenhower could fill.