Identified with the Stalwart faction of Republicans led by Roscoe Conkling , Morton was elected to represent Manhattan in the 46th and 47th Congresses , and he served from March 4 , 1879 until his resignation , effective March 21 , 1881 . The 1880 Republican National Convention was dominated by Half-Breed supporters of James G. Blaine and Stalwart supporters of Ulysses S. Grant for the presidential nomination . James A. Garfield , who was not affiliated with either faction , but was a friend of Blaine 's , won the nomination and attempted to win over Stalwarts by asking Morton to be his vice presidential running mate . Conkling , who had managed Grant 's campaign , advised Morton to decline , which Morton did . Garfield 's supporters then turned to Chester A. Arthur , a fellow Stalwart and close Conkling friend . Conkling also advised Arthur to decline , but Arthur accepted ; Garfield and he were narrowly elected over their Democratic opponents
1880 Republican National Convention
1880 Republican National Convention
Levi P. Morton