Details
GARFIELD, JAMES A., President. Autograph letter signed ("J.A. Garfield") as PRESIDENT-ELECT, to Vermont Senator George F. Edmunds, thanking him for his suggestions in reference to his declination of the Senatorship. Mentor, Ohio, 23 December 1880. 1½ pages, small 4to, written on recto and verso of lined paper, with postmarked envelope addressed in Garfield's hand.
GARFIELD ON DECLINING THE SENATORSHIP
"...Yours of the 13th, inst, enclosing suggestions in reference to my declination of the Senatorship came duly to hand-for which accept my thanks. I have adopted your view of the case and have written to the Governor and to the General assembly renouncing the appointment of Senator, and have also notified the President of the Senate of my action. I have suggested to the Governor that my letter be laid before Legislation on the first day of their session which happens to be on the second Tuesday, and to elect a Senator in strict accordance with the law of Congress on this subject. This I think will cover all the points in the case."
On November 2, 1880, James Garfield was in the unique position of qualifying for three federal positions: he was a congressman from Ohio, having taken office in the House of Representatives on March 4, 1863, and having served in the 38th Congress; on January 13, 1880, while he was serving in the House of Representatives, he was elected by the legislature of Ohio to serve in the United States Senate for the term beginning March 4, 1881; and on November 2, Garfield was elected President of the United States. On that date, he was President-elect, Senator-elect and a member of the House of Representatives (the first member elected President while serving in the House). As the senatorial and presidential terms began on the same day, Garfield surrendered his seat in the Senate. On November 8, he resigned from the House of Representatives. Thereafter, and before his innauguration on March 4, 1881, he remained at Mentor, Ohio listening to every political leader who came to see him, and responding to several letters of counsel.
GARFIELD ON DECLINING THE SENATORSHIP
"...Yours of the 13th, inst, enclosing suggestions in reference to my declination of the Senatorship came duly to hand-for which accept my thanks. I have adopted your view of the case and have written to the Governor and to the General assembly renouncing the appointment of Senator, and have also notified the President of the Senate of my action. I have suggested to the Governor that my letter be laid before Legislation on the first day of their session which happens to be on the second Tuesday, and to elect a Senator in strict accordance with the law of Congress on this subject. This I think will cover all the points in the case."
On November 2, 1880, James Garfield was in the unique position of qualifying for three federal positions: he was a congressman from Ohio, having taken office in the House of Representatives on March 4, 1863, and having served in the 38th Congress; on January 13, 1880, while he was serving in the House of Representatives, he was elected by the legislature of Ohio to serve in the United States Senate for the term beginning March 4, 1881; and on November 2, Garfield was elected President of the United States. On that date, he was President-elect, Senator-elect and a member of the House of Representatives (the first member elected President while serving in the House). As the senatorial and presidential terms began on the same day, Garfield surrendered his seat in the Senate. On November 8, he resigned from the House of Representatives. Thereafter, and before his innauguration on March 4, 1881, he remained at Mentor, Ohio listening to every political leader who came to see him, and responding to several letters of counsel.