History of James A. Garfield

James Abram Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, is an intriguing figure whose political career, though cut tragically short, encapsulated a period of American history marked by reconstruction, reform, and a transformation of the national landscape. He was born on November 19, 1831, in a log cabin in Orange Township, now Moreland Hills, Ohio. His early life was one of poverty; his father died when he was an infant, leaving his mother to fend for the family. Nevertheless, Garfield's relentless pursuit of education and self-improvement would lay the foundation for his future political career.

Garfield's political journey began in earnest following his education at Williams College in Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1856. Upon returning to Ohio, he took a position at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (now Hiram College) where he excelled as a teacher and later as its president. His oratory skills and integrity soon attracted the attention of Ohio’s Republican political operatives, and he was elected to the Ohio State Senate in 1859 as a member of the newly formed Republican Party, attracted by its anti-slavery platform.

With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Garfield left the state legislature to serve in the Union Army. He was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel and quickly rose through the ranks, demonstrating notable leadership at battles such as Middle Creek and Chickamauga. By 1863, President Abraham Lincoln persuaded Garfield to resign his military commission and take a seat in the United States House of Representatives, to which he had already been elected, believing his contributions to the Union cause were needed in Congress.

Garfield would serve nine terms in the House, from December 1863 to November 1880, becoming a key Republican figure during Reconstruction. He was known for his brilliant speeches and command of issues, including his advocacy for a strong federal government, protection of African American civil rights, and opposition to the Greenback movement, which sought to inflate the currency by issuing paper money not backed by gold.

Despite this, Garfield found himself at odds with more radical Republicans on some issues, demonstrating a political independence that characterized his congressional career. He chaired several vital committees, including the House Appropriations Committee and the Ways and Means Committee, augmenting his influence over fiscal and economic policy. His tenure in the House also saw him involved in a major controversy known as the Credit Mobilier scandal, which revolved around railroad financing; although his involvement was minor, it did attach a shadow over his political reputation.

In a surprise turn of events at the 1880 Republican National Convention, Garfield, who had gone there to support John Sherman, emerged as the dark horse candidate. After 36 ballots, he secured the nomination largely due to being an acceptable candidate to a deeply divided party. Garfield's presidency—beginning on March 4, 1881—came amid significant evolving political currents, among them the growing clamor for civil service reform after years of patronage-related inefficiency and corruption.

Garfield's tenure as president was characterized by his strong stand against the entrenched political patronage system. His most notable act was initiating reforms to limit the Spoils System, notably in conflict with New York Senator Roscoe Conkling, a powerful Stalwart leader. Garfield's defiance in appointing figures like William H. Robertson against Conkling's wishes marked his administration's commitment to merit over political favoritism.

Unfortunately, Garfield’s presidency was abruptly ended by an assassin's bullet. On July 2, 1881, Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker, shot Garfield at a Washington, D.C., train station. After enduring months of incapacitation and infection mishandled by inadequate medical care of the time, President Garfield died on September 19, 1881, leaving behind a legacy of a promise unfulfilled.

Garfield’s death spurred a national outcry for reform, culminating in the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883. This law, aimed to thwart the patronage system Garfield opposed, established that positions within the federal government should be awarded on the basis of merit.

Although James A. Garfield's presidency was brief, his efforts set a precedent for future reforms and showcased the tenacity and changing ideologies within American politics at the end of the 19th century. Garfield remains a fascinating political figure; his rise from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of American political life embodies the American Dream, while his abbreviated term underscores the frailties of the era’s political stability. His commitment to civil rights, fiscal responsibility, and a merit-based government service continue to resonate in contemporary discussions of political integrity and reform.