Garfield

On what grounds can President James A. Garfield be described as a mediocre President? (Op-Ed, Dec. 27, Letters, Jan. 8). The man was in office only four months when he was struck down by an assassin on July 2, 1881; he died on Sept. 19.

Garfield probably would have made an excellent President. He had broad experience as a farmer, canal helmsman, professor of ancient languages and literature, lawyer, nine-term member and leader in Congress and Civil War general. In short, he possessed the qualities of experience, scholarship and leadership--a combination possessed by only a few of our Presidents.

JAMES K. MARUGG

Pasadena