The assassination of Garfield only damaged the cause of the Stalwarts, and its leader Conkling was blamed over Guiteau's actions. The new president, Chester Arthur, abandoned his past Stalwart roots and switched to support civil service reform,<ref name=garfieldandarthur/><ref name=ucf/> allying on the issue with congressional Half-Breeds. | The assassination of Garfield only damaged the cause of the Stalwarts, and its leader Conkling was blamed over Guiteau's actions. The new president, Chester Arthur, abandoned his past Stalwart roots and switched to support civil service reform,<ref name=garfieldandarthur/><ref name=ucf/> allying on the issue with congressional Half-Breeds. |