I had hoped to get some insight to a little known President, but unfortunately very little was forthcoming. In fact, the book is nearly three-quarters finished by the time the supposed reclamation project of Arthur’s honor begins. And very little at that. The best I can ascertain, his accomplishments to wash away his grifting political background consisted of only a few sketchy elements. First, a reform of civil service hiring, and that only after shaming. Secondly, a sufficient public chagrin at being the sole beneficiary of the assassination of President Garfield, which softened his image. Next, some rather performative and frankly half-hearted attempts at civil rights legislation which, by the author’s admission, Arthur really had no interest in supporting or promoting, given the political climate. And the author has an odd fascination with random African-American anecdotes in Arthur’s life, which mostly consist of being greeted by Black individuals in travels for no other reason than he represented the party of Lincoln. The best is probably the assertion that Arthur considered his Black valet a close personal friend. Uh-huh, yeah, we get it. But the most telling indication that his alleged redemption was little more than notional, is that the man destroyed all documents which linked him to corruption. A true repentant wouldn’t have done that, as that would be the depth from which he supposedly recovered.
Truth be told, Julia Sand seemed to be a far more interesting subject. A passionately progressive voice that supposedly turned Arthur around, but in truth to only mixed results. I don’t know the extent of her correspondences, or if they would be sufficient for her own story, but it’d have to be better than Chet. I have another point of disappointment, for full disclosure. It had been rumored in my family that we are somehow related to Chester Arthur. (I know people like to make genealogical brags, but who would claim this guy if it weren’t true?) The best I can say, is that I’ve known worse people in the family. But I didn’t learn anything in this book to make me burst with pride, either.