Sunday, October 5, 2008

The Ungradeables

Two presidents served such a short time in office, they can not be adequately evaluated.
1. William Henry Harrison served one month in 1841. After being elected in the first modern style election, he gave the longest inaugural address in history. Unfortunately, he did not adjust for the weather. Harrison caught pneumonia and died one month into his term.
2. James Garfield made it six months before being assassinated by Charles Guiteau. Guiteau believed Garfield owed him a government job. When he did not receive what he believed to be his reward, he stalked and then shot the president. Unlike Harrison, Garfield did have one accomplishment in office. He busted up the corrupt New York Customs House.

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