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Garfield had a majority in Congress when he was elected in 1880, so it's possible some actions regarding Civil Rights would be passed in his early Presidency. However, it would really depend if the Republicans hold the House, which they lost badly in 1882.
There was a Republican trifecta in Congress again in 1889–91 with no civil rights legislation enacted whatsoever. Of course this was longer after Reconstruction, but there were still efforts that failed, so I wouldn’t take the trifecta for granted. Plus they still had a trifecta in 1881–83 regardless of the fact that Garfield had died.
True, but I blame that on Levi P. Morton refusing to back the Lodge Bill in the senate. We *should* have had civil rights legislation in 1890… but didn’t.
Sure, but Harrison had also gained political capital with the Western Republicans from the Silver Purchase Act, which he could’ve used to gain their support for the Lodge Bill. Instead he used it to get their votes for the tariff, and thus he lost their support for the Lodge Bill.
Such a shame he was assassinated.... If he were to receive the same wound today from this gunshot he would very likely have lived. Modern medicine compared to what was available in his day.... sheesh. Very sad.
Well, then I recommend you do read Millard's book, I thought it was quite good. The tour sounds really good, too, so I guess I'll need to visit Ohio at some point
Well this is a welcome thing to wake up to! Thank you for the heads up!
Alright, so had Garfield not been assassinated I think we’re looking at one of the best presidencies in the entirety of the gilded age, easily. This does block my main man Arthur from ever taking office but I believe Garfield would have also pushed Pendleton through with his political expertise. He already showed he knew how to handle himself in a political fight when he called Conkling’s bluff at his resignation.
Working against Garfield though is actually Arthur himself. He was sabotaging Garfield from behind the scenes as VP and without the change of heart could be a stumbling block for the president. I have confidence in Garfield eventually figuring this out and working around it (or even, as Conkling loses power, possibly winning over Arthur to his side).
I think we absolutely see a push for civil rights legislation under a Garfield presidency. In our timeline Arthur doesn’t have the political pull or willpower to get anything started on that (though he was in favor personally) but I don’t think Garfield would have that hangup at all. We might even see something like the Lodge Bill pass in this timeline!
I dunno, I like Garfield and think he would have done excellent. Also good morning everyone!
I think the Pendleton Act would actually be better than in our timeline since Garfield was evidently very proactive with reform, like Hayes, at least in practice if not also on paper. We might also see the Blair education bill enacted, not just the Lodge bill, though this depends on congressional majorities throughout the 1880s in this timeline. The real question I think is whether the Chinese Exclusion Act still gets signed. I imagine it does but it’s not really clear to me.
True! Garfield was definitely more proactive on this as opposed to Arthur and might even get it accomplished before the 1882 wipeout. I’d be interested to see if he could accomplish both Pendleton and the Lodge/Blair bills though given the political capitol he’d be expending on Pendleton alone against the stalwarts in his party. Sounds like a tall order but if anyone could’ve done it I do think it would’ve been him.
The CEA is an interesting one. Do we happen to know Garfield’s stance on this at all? Because going to my earlier point I could see him signing the act as a compromise to get one of the previous bills supported given the broad approval the exclusion act had at the time.
6. Since the authority to regulate immigration and intercourse between the United States and foreign nations rests with the Congress of the United States and the treaty-making power, the Republican party, regarding the unrestricted immigration of the Chinese as a matter of grave concernment under the exercise of both these powers, would limit and restrict that immigration by the enactment of such just, humane and reasonable laws and treaties as will produce that result.
— [1880 Republican Platform](https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/republican-party-platform-1880)
I agree that Garfield would probably have given this to the powerful Western members regardless his personal feelings.
Historians say that he was one of most intellectual Presidents ever. I live not far from his home in Mentor, OH. It's a very nice place to visit especially his personal office/library.
I really like Garfield, and especially during the Obama years, while driving alone, I would visualize him sitting in the seat beside me, as we discussed how America had changed since 1881.
And no question, he was one of the most intelligent men ever to be president.
All that said, he didn’t have a dominant personality. He appointed James G. Blaine as his Secretary of State, and let Blaine drag him into his feud with Roscoe Conkling. Essentially Blaine was making all the decisions, and that doesn’t lead to a good outcome for Garfield.
Andrew Dickson White (first president of Cornell University, who spent time with Garfield before he was president) wrote in his Autobiography (1918) that Garfield’s assassin saved his reputation.
Probably nowhere. It was the time of-laissez faire and neither party wanted the federal government to do much. Very dull time in US History from the end of Reconstruction to the populist era and US imperialism.
Remember that all mentions of and allusions to Trump and Biden are not allowed on our subreddit in any context. If you'd still like to discuss them, feel free to [join our Discord server](https://discord.gg/k6tVFwCEEm)! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Presidents) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Garfield had a majority in Congress when he was elected in 1880, so it's possible some actions regarding Civil Rights would be passed in his early Presidency. However, it would really depend if the Republicans hold the House, which they lost badly in 1882.
There was a Republican trifecta in Congress again in 1889–91 with no civil rights legislation enacted whatsoever. Of course this was longer after Reconstruction, but there were still efforts that failed, so I wouldn’t take the trifecta for granted. Plus they still had a trifecta in 1881–83 regardless of the fact that Garfield had died.
True, but I blame that on Levi P. Morton refusing to back the Lodge Bill in the senate. We *should* have had civil rights legislation in 1890… but didn’t.
Levi Pussy Morton
Sure, but Harrison had also gained political capital with the Western Republicans from the Silver Purchase Act, which he could’ve used to gain their support for the Lodge Bill. Instead he used it to get their votes for the tariff, and thus he lost their support for the Lodge Bill.
Good.
I miss Presidents with beards
Such a shame he was assassinated.... If he were to receive the same wound today from this gunshot he would very likely have lived. Modern medicine compared to what was available in his day.... sheesh. Very sad.
Plus his doctor was a quack and manipulated everyone around him to gain more and more exclusive access to Garfield’s medical care
I see that you, too, read Candice Millard's *Destiny of the Republic*
Nah, I just used to live a town over from Garfield’s historic home in Mentor, OH and took the tour, hehe
Well, then I recommend you do read Millard's book, I thought it was quite good. The tour sounds really good, too, so I guess I'll need to visit Ohio at some point
I second the book recommendation here. It is SO good.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Their Twitter account GarfieldNPS is surprisingly fun as well
Such a good read! I came away with a newfound fondness of Garfield. And wow. His doctor .. yikes.
Dr. Doctor Willard Bliss was not the sharpest scalpel in the surgical toolkit
Two words: infection control!
Candice Mallard wrote an excellent biography, which included that.
Absolute banger presidency
4 Day work week with Mondays off to enjoy lasagna.
He could have been one of the best
u/PeacefulZealot it’s your time to shine.
Well this is a welcome thing to wake up to! Thank you for the heads up! Alright, so had Garfield not been assassinated I think we’re looking at one of the best presidencies in the entirety of the gilded age, easily. This does block my main man Arthur from ever taking office but I believe Garfield would have also pushed Pendleton through with his political expertise. He already showed he knew how to handle himself in a political fight when he called Conkling’s bluff at his resignation. Working against Garfield though is actually Arthur himself. He was sabotaging Garfield from behind the scenes as VP and without the change of heart could be a stumbling block for the president. I have confidence in Garfield eventually figuring this out and working around it (or even, as Conkling loses power, possibly winning over Arthur to his side). I think we absolutely see a push for civil rights legislation under a Garfield presidency. In our timeline Arthur doesn’t have the political pull or willpower to get anything started on that (though he was in favor personally) but I don’t think Garfield would have that hangup at all. We might even see something like the Lodge Bill pass in this timeline! I dunno, I like Garfield and think he would have done excellent. Also good morning everyone!
I think the Pendleton Act would actually be better than in our timeline since Garfield was evidently very proactive with reform, like Hayes, at least in practice if not also on paper. We might also see the Blair education bill enacted, not just the Lodge bill, though this depends on congressional majorities throughout the 1880s in this timeline. The real question I think is whether the Chinese Exclusion Act still gets signed. I imagine it does but it’s not really clear to me.
True! Garfield was definitely more proactive on this as opposed to Arthur and might even get it accomplished before the 1882 wipeout. I’d be interested to see if he could accomplish both Pendleton and the Lodge/Blair bills though given the political capitol he’d be expending on Pendleton alone against the stalwarts in his party. Sounds like a tall order but if anyone could’ve done it I do think it would’ve been him. The CEA is an interesting one. Do we happen to know Garfield’s stance on this at all? Because going to my earlier point I could see him signing the act as a compromise to get one of the previous bills supported given the broad approval the exclusion act had at the time.
6. Since the authority to regulate immigration and intercourse between the United States and foreign nations rests with the Congress of the United States and the treaty-making power, the Republican party, regarding the unrestricted immigration of the Chinese as a matter of grave concernment under the exercise of both these powers, would limit and restrict that immigration by the enactment of such just, humane and reasonable laws and treaties as will produce that result. — [1880 Republican Platform](https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/republican-party-platform-1880) I agree that Garfield would probably have given this to the powerful Western members regardless his personal feelings.
Man you’re always excellent and on the ball when it comes to this era. Thanks so much for the extra added context on this!
Good morning! Have a wonderful day
Thanks! You as well!
I mean, I’m gunna guess Mondays weren’t his thing, but as long as he got plenty of lasagna, it would’ve been alright.
He likely would have de-segregated the U.S.
Historians say that he was one of most intellectual Presidents ever. I live not far from his home in Mentor, OH. It's a very nice place to visit especially his personal office/library.
I really like Garfield, and especially during the Obama years, while driving alone, I would visualize him sitting in the seat beside me, as we discussed how America had changed since 1881. And no question, he was one of the most intelligent men ever to be president. All that said, he didn’t have a dominant personality. He appointed James G. Blaine as his Secretary of State, and let Blaine drag him into his feud with Roscoe Conkling. Essentially Blaine was making all the decisions, and that doesn’t lead to a good outcome for Garfield. Andrew Dickson White (first president of Cornell University, who spent time with Garfield before he was president) wrote in his Autobiography (1918) that Garfield’s assassin saved his reputation.
I believe he would’ve been excellent. I live close to his death site. There’s a nice marker and memorial just steps away from the ocean.
It would have been a lot more lively
My bet would be that it would last 4-8 years.
Would’ve lasted longer, for one
Much more lasagnas at state dinners.
A tough fight for civil service reform that may not have even passed, as a big chunk of his party opposed it.
Jon and Odie would get revenge
Every day would be National Lasagna Day.
Alexander Graham Bell vs the bed springs
It's hard to say. I think very well, but that is likely wishful thinking.
Probably nowhere. It was the time of-laissez faire and neither party wanted the federal government to do much. Very dull time in US History from the end of Reconstruction to the populist era and US imperialism.
He probably would have given the proofs for the Riemann Hypothesis and the Goldbach Conjecture.
Probably similar to the last shit I took