Election of 1881

Originally, Chester Arthur was the Vice President under James Garfield. The President Garfield was wounded by Charles Guiteau. Guiteau shot Garfield in and the arm and spine. Garfield initially survived the shooting, but due to a combination of infection and the poor medical care at the time, he gradually deteriorated and died on

September 19. During the weeks where Garfield lingered between life and death, Arthur remained in seclusion as popular indignation against the stalwarts ran high.

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On September 20, 1881, the morning following Garfield's death, Arthur took the oath of office at his home in New York City. His record of party loyalty greatly handicapped him when he became President. Many Americans regarded him as Conkling's puppet. Arthur, however, surprised his critics by distancing himself from Conkling and his former Republican Party associates.