James A. Garfield is generally regarded by historians as a competent and principled president whose tenure was short, but whose actions earned respect for anti-corruption efforts and civil rights advocacy. While opinions vary on how strong his overall impact would have been had he served a full term, many scholars consider him more than simply "average" and point to several notable achievements and reforms during his brief time in office.
Key points
- Civil service reform: Garfield championed merit-based appointments and laid groundwork that culminated in the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, which restructured federal hiring practices to reduce patronage. While the act was enacted after his death, his push helped set the stage and influenced subsequent reform under his successor.
- Anti-corruption stance: He actively challenged the spoils system and sought to purge corrupt practices, notably within the Post Office and other branches, promoting integrity in government. This stance contributed to a broader movement toward cleaner governance.
- Presidential authority and governance style: Garfield asserted presidential prerogative in appointments against entrenched senatorial courtesy, aiming to balance partisan power with executive independence. This stance is often cited as a notable assertion of presidential leadership, even amid political opposition.
- Civil rights and education: He supported civil rights for African Americans and advocated for education and technological advancement, arguing for a well-educated electorate and for the modernization of agriculture and industry. These views placed him among reform-minded presidents who linked governance to broader social progress.
Limitations and context
- Short tenure: Garfield served only about six months before his assassination, so many proposed reforms and potential policies were left incomplete or implemented only by his successors. Consequently, historians sometimes rank him as below-average in terms of measurable outcomes, but this often reflects the brevity of his administration rather than his capabilities or intentions.
- Historical rankings vary: Different historians weigh his accomplishments differently; some emphasize anti-corruption and civil rights advocacy, while others note that his impact was limited by time and political constraints.
Bottom line
- Yes, Garfield is widely viewed as a good and principled president in historical assessments, particularly for his stand against corruption, support for civil service reform, and commitment to civil rights and education. His presidency is frequently described as potentially transformative if he had completed a full term, but his untimely death prevented those long-term changes from fully materializing.
If you’d like, I can pull more perspectives from specific historians or provide a concise side-by-side comparison of Garfield’s policies with those of his immediate successors.
