James A. Garfield

James Abram Garfield rose from poverty in Ohio to become a teacher, Union general, and prominent Republican congressman. Elected president in 1880, he entered office in March 1881 after years of legislative work on finance, Reconstruction, and other national questions. He was shot in July and died in September, leaving his presidential program largely undeveloped. ¹

Garfield appointed James G. Blaine as secretary of state at a time when American officials were considering closer commercial and political engagement with Latin America. Relations with China, Pacific fishing disputes with Britain, and questions of hemispheric cooperation required attention. The administration’s short duration and its preoccupation with appointments meant that these concerns did not develop into a substantial record of completed diplomatic agreements under Garfield. ²

At home, Garfield challenged Senator Roscoe Conkling’s control of New York patronage by asserting presidential authority over federal appointments. The conflict divided Republican factions and occupied much of his time in office. His assassination by a disappointed office seeker gave added force to demands for civil service reform. The resulting Pendleton Act became law under Chester A. Arthur, Garfield’s successor, rather than during Garfield’s own presidency. ^{3, 1, 4}