Most state jobs are open to any citizen who passes a state examination however some state jobs are filled through __ or given to people who are recommended by political-party leaders

i believe the answer is:

-   william jennings bryan is a democrat while mckinley was a republican

at that time, the segment of population that choose for democratic party were the voters with low economic background and vice versa

- william jennings has support of populists and wants to have inflation to farmers while mckinley has support of bankers and businessmen , doesn't want inflation

the fixed value of gold make the large business able to stack up their gold without   being worried that it would devaluated.

- william jennings supported the silver standard while mckinley supported the gold standard

according to jenning, using other metal beside gold could the poor people to have more purchasing power and them advance in the society.

im going to go with b.