CEI’s new documentary, Dear Mr. President: The Letters of Julia Sand, available for streaming beginning today on SalemNow.

The Competitive Enterprise Institute’s new documentary, Dear Mr. President: The Letters of Julia Sand, is available for streaming on SalemNow beginning today, May 7.

The documentary tells the story of Chester Arthur who, following the assassination of President James Garfield in 1881, was faced with the daunting task of becoming president. Arthur also faced backlash for being a beneficiary of the spoils system, a system for corrupt appointments to secure government jobs. And based on the tragic circumstances of Garfield’s assassination, Arthur was even suspected by many of being part of the plot to kill the president.

Arthur had not only supported the spoils system but owed his entire career in government to the corruption of the New York political machine. No one expected anything different from Arthur’s presidency – except for one person. A New Yorker named Julia Sand believed Arthur could become something better and began to write to the newly ascended president. Through 23 letters, Sand implored Arthur to forgo his corrupt machinations, become the leader the country deserved, and champion Civil Service Reform.

At a fragile moment in American history, the letters of an everyday citizen challenged a corrupt president to smash the bureaucratic system that brought him to power.

• Watch CEI’s new video highlighting the film’s exciting story here.

For more information on the film and to sign up for screening tour updates, including the film’s appearance at Anthem Film Festival on June 11, visit CEI.org.