The Presidency of Garfield (1881)

Question 1

What were James Garfield’s Aims?

Who did he take down?

Answer 1

• He supported Civil Service reform and took down opponent Roscoe Conkling
• Reform of the Post Office; continuing work of Hayes

Question 2

How did Garfield influence civil service reform? in terms of customs house?

Answer 2

• Strengthened federal authority over the New York Custom House and against stronghold of Conkling
• Appointed Conkling’s arch-nemesis Robertson to run the Custom House
• Conkling tried to persuade senate to block nomination
• Conkling and a fellow senator resign, confident their legislature would vindicate their stand and re-elect them
• In fact, 2 other men were elected and it was a victory for Garfield

Question 3

How did Garfield reform the post office?

Answer 3

• Continued the work of Hayes
• 1880: investigation into corruption in the Post Office Department: profiteering rings allegedly stole millions of dollars, employing bogus mail contracts called “star routes”
• Forced resignation of one of the ringleaders of the ‘Star routes’ (Thomas J, Brady) who was later indicted for conspiracy in 1883

Question 4

How was Garfield assassinated?

Answer 4

• On the 2nd July 1881 garfield was shot at by Charles Guiteau
• One bullet grazed his arm and the other lodged in his stomach
• He died 3 months later on 19th September 1881

Question 5

What were Garfield’s strengths?

Answer 5

• took down Conkling, a victory for Civil Service reform
• Forced resignation of Brady
• Decent progress for a short time in office

Question 6

What were Garfield’s weaknesses?

Answer 6

• Failed to make large scale change

- Very short presidency (to be fair he was assassinated)