James A Garfield's Presidency

The start of James A. Garfield presidency. Garfield was not going to just get this president spot with flying colors his opponent was Ulysses S. Grant. In the beginning Grant was not liked, but most voters for gave him and his image was rebuilt. Grant had two corrupt terms, but with his image rebuilt he suspected the win. Then came a surprise General James A. Garfield. Garfield attended an Ohio republican convention in 1880 along with Grant. James Garfield won the convention and shortly after got elected president in 1881. Forty-one year old republican James A. Garfield became our twentieth president of the United States of America! Garfield was the first former college president and the only minister to hold the office. He was also the last …show more content…
Garfield got questioned by dozens of people just because in the past that protection was not provided. Everyday Garfield would visit with office seekers one of them was a guy named Charles Guiteau. He was not your typical office seeker he had spent the campaign season in 1880 hanging around republican headquarters in New York. Guiteau felt as if he was owed an appointment he associated with Conkling and vice president Chester A. Arthur, but not really as he wanted people to think. Guiteau was not really ever taken seriously and since the Garfield administration ignored his request to set up an appointment he was outraged. Upon anger Guiteau set out to eliminate the president. President Garfield was followed by Guiteau at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station then was shot twice one bullet grazed his arm and the other hit his torso. Guiteau admitted to the crime and said Arthur will be president. Garfield did not have an instant death he was recovering some days then fall back three more steps another day. The ironic thing about Garfield's injury is that he was liked more when shot then before when he was healthy. Garfield wrote to his mother that although he is still weak that everyday he is