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Chester A. Arthur

Presidency

Why was Arthur embroiled in controversy when President Garfield was shot?

Charles Guiteau, the assassin that shot President Garfield in July 1881, committed his heinous act in part because he was a strident supporter of the Stalwart wing of the Republican Party. President Garfield was not a Stalwart and Arthur was. Guiteau allegedly said after the shooting: “I did it and will go to jail for it. I am a Stalwart and Arthur will be president.”