[579] Subsequent ballots followed, with roughly the same result; neither Grant nor Blaine could win. After thirty-six ballots, Blaine's delegates deserted him and combined with those of other candidates to nominate a compromise candidate: Representative and former Union general James A. Garfield of Ohio.[580] A procedural motion made the vote unanimous for Garfield, who accepted the nomination.[581] Grant gave speeches for Garfield but declined to criticize the Democratic nominee, Winfield Scott Hancock, a general who had served under him in the Army of the Potomac.[582] Garfield won the election. Grant gave Garfield his public support and pushed him to include Stalwarts in his administration.[583] On July 2, 1881, Garfield was shot by an assassin and died on September 19. On learning of Garfield's death from a reporter, Grant wept bitterly.[584]

Business failures
In the 19th century, there were no federal presidential pensions, and the Grants' personal income was limited to $6,000 a year.[585] Grant's world tour had been costly, and he had depleted most of his savings, while he needed to earn money and find a new home.