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Bob Keeler's avatar

Thanks, Rich, for your usual excellent job of making history come alive. At a time when the Felon-in-Chief is trying to establish loyalty to him as the primary requirement of federal employees, it’s useful to reflect on the roots of civil service reform.

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WrightsCreekWolf's avatar

Sprague’s wife Kate was Kate Chase, the daughter of Secretary and later Supreme Court justice Salmon P. Chase. She was an accomplished politician in her own life in a time when women were not allowed to vote.

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Fred Bruning's avatar

Rich -- You've almost convinced me to watch a miniseries on James Garfield with Chester A. Arthur in a supporting role. Only a hypnotist could have been more persuasive.

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Andy Reed's avatar

Love your columns. This one is so informative and fascinating -- and timely, given the T regime's determination to move the country back to the day of T's hero, General Andrew Jackson. Corruption, vice, bribery, the spoils system, venality runs through the regime's veins the way blood does through ours.

(To Trump, the Trail of Tears wasn't thorough enough; he and his racist minions want to finish the job.)

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Richard Galant's avatar

Thanks Andy!

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Alexis Ludwig's avatar

Fascinating post and perfect background for the Netflix series. Sounds like you have the makings for a sequel. (Makes me want to read Candice Millard's book; her "River of Doubt" was superb.)

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Richard Galant's avatar

Thanks, Candice Millard’s “Destiny of the Republic” is up to the standard of her terrific “River of Doubt.”

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Alexis Ludwig's avatar

Another book for my endless list. Almost finished listening to Jill Lepore’s These Truths and (such is my enthusiasm) have We The People lined up next. I read River of Doubt while serving in Brazil. A truly fabulous read. Her portrait of Rondon, the sturdiest explorer TR ever met (and the only one who didn’t get sick on that ill-fated trip). Really enjoying your posts.

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Gayle Frances Larkin's avatar

Thank you for your truly enthralling account of one life and how it affected so many others. It's wonderful to see someone who regains his integrity, usefulness, and only dies after reclaiming his right to be called a man.

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Richard Galant's avatar

Thanks Gayle!

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