[[James Gillespie Blaine]], who led the faction, was personally opposed to civil service reform<ref>Weisberger, Bernarnd A. [https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/james-garfield-and-chester-arthur James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur]. ''Encyclopedia.com''. Retrieved November 20, 2021.</ref> and his viewpoints often aligned with that of the Stalwarts,<ref name=levipmorton/> such as opposing questionable policies pushed by President Hayes. He emerged as one of its main members largely due to sheer contempt for Stalwart [[Roscoe Conkling]],<ref name=levipmorton/> pertaining to a rivalry dating back to the 1860s.<ref>[http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/history/waughj/classes/gildedage/private/gilded_age_politics/history/bio_conkling.html Roscoe Conkling: Congressman and Political Boss (1829-1888)]. ''UCLA Social Sciences''. Retrieved November 20, 2021.</ref> | [[James Gillespie Blaine]], who led the faction, was personally opposed to civil service reform<ref>Weisberger, Bernarnd A. [https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/james-garfield-and-chester-arthur James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur]. ''Encyclopedia.com''. Retrieved November 20, 2021.</ref> and his viewpoints often aligned with that of the Stalwarts,<ref name=levipmorton/> such as opposing questionable policies pushed by President Hayes. He emerged as one of its main members largely due to sheer contempt for Stalwart [[Roscoe Conkling]],<ref name=levipmorton/> pertaining to a rivalry dating back to the 1860s.<ref>[http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/history/waughj/classes/gildedage/private/gilded_age_politics/history/bio_conkling.html Roscoe Conkling: Congressman and Political Boss (1829-1888)]. ''UCLA Social Sciences''. Retrieved November 20, 2021.</ref> |