Page "James A. Garfield" Paragraph 85

By July 1, 1881, minor party dissension over the Conkling affair remained while President Garfield continued his policy of forbidding Vice President Chester A. Arthur, a Conkling ally, from attending presidential cabinet meetings.

Sec.

Blaine, however, encouraged and supported President Garfield.

Presidential historian Justice D. Doenecke stated that Garfield lacked judgment in his appointment of Robertson that proved to be problematic.

Doenecke stated that the fight over Robertson was not important enough to disturb party unity over Presidential authority since the previous customs collector, Edwin A. Merrit, appointed by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878, was a reformer.

According to Doenecke, rather than follow his initial instinct for Republican conciliation, Garfield sided with Sec.

Blaine.

President Hayes had initiated the break down of Senatorial courtesy and under President Garfield the process had reached a climax.