James Abram Garfield is primarily known for serving as the 20th President of the United States, a tenure cut short by assassination, and for the significant constitutional debate surrounding his election. His presidency, though brief, was marked by efforts to reform the civil service and assert the authority of the executive branch. Garfield’s legacy is often defined by the tragic circumstances of his death and the subsequent lengthy legal battle over his contested election, rather than by sweeping legislative achievements during his time in office.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1831 in a log cabin in Orange Township, Ohio, Garfield’s early life was one of hardship and self-reliance. Orphaned at a young age, he worked as a carpenter and teacher to support himself through his education. His intellectual prowess earned him a place at Williams College in Massachusetts, where he graduated second in his class in 1856. This background of poverty and academic excellence shaped his identity as a self-made man and informed his political perspective on education and opportunity.
Military Service in the Civil War
Before entering politics, Garfield distinguished himself as a Union general during the American Civil War. He served with the 42nd Ohio Infantry and quickly rose to the rank of major general. His most notable contribution came at the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863, where he rode through enemy lines to secure reinforcements, effectively saving the Union Army from complete destruction. This act of bravery solidified his reputation as a military leader and provided a springboard for his post-war political career.
Political Career and Election of 1880
Garfield’s political journey began in the Ohio State Senate, but his influence grew rapidly when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served as a Congressman for nine terms before becoming a U.S. Senator. His path to the presidency began at the 1880 Republican National Convention, where he emerged as a compromise candidate after the stalemate between James G. Blaine and John Sherman. His election was a complex affair, involving intricate political maneuvering that ultimately led to his victory over Democrat Winfield Scott Hancock.
The Controversial Election and Electoral Commission
Garfield’s election is arguably what he is most known for in the legal and political sense. The results in several Southern states were fiercely contested, throwing the election into doubt. To resolve the impasse, Congress formed an Electoral Commission, which ultimately awarded the contested electoral votes to Garfield. This decision was deeply controversial and highlighted the fragile state of American electoral processes in the post-Reconstruction era. The contentious nature of his victory cast a long shadow over his presidency.
Presidency and Assassination
Garfield’s presidency lasted just 200 days, the second shortest in U.S. history. His time in office was dominated by the fallout from the election controversy and the struggle to reform the civil service system, which was rampant with patronage. His tenure was tragically cut short when he was shot by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker, in July 1881. He lingered for 79 days before dying from infection and complications, a period that captivated the nation and exposed the vulnerabilities of the presidency.
Medical Response and Death
The medical response to Garfield’s shooting is a grim footnote in his legacy that contributes significantly to what he is known for. Doctors probed the wound with unsterilized fingers and instruments, searching for the bullet that had lodged near his spine. This unsanitary practice introduced infection directly into the wound, leading to sepsis. The prolonged suffering and eventual death of the president from a treatable injury became a national scandal and underscored the primitive state of medical science at the time.
