As the 1884 presidential election approached , James G. Blaine was considered the favorite for the Republican nomination , but Arthur , too , contemplated a run for a full term as president . In the months leading up to the 1884 Republican National Convention , however , Arthur began to realize that neither faction of the Republican party was prepared to give him their full support : the Half-Breeds were again solidly behind Blaine , while Stalwarts were undecided ; some backed Arthur , with others considering Senator John A. Logan of Illinois . Reform-minded Republicans , friendlier to Arthur after he endorsed civil service reform , were still not certain enough of his reform credentials to back him over Senator George F. Edmunds of Vermont , who had long favored their cause . Business leaders supported him , as did Southern Republicans who owed their jobs to his control of the patronage , but by the time they began to rally around him , Arthur had decided against a serious campaign for the nomination . He kept up a token effort , believing that to drop out would cast doubt on his actions in office and raise questions about his health , but by the time the convention began in June , his defeat was assured . Blaine led on the first ballot , and by the fourth ballot he had a majority . Arthur telegraphed his congratulations to Blaine and accepted his defeat with equanimity . He played no role in the 1884 campaign , which Blaine would later blame for his loss that November to the Democratic nominee , Grover Cleveland
1884 Republican National Convention
1884 Republican National Convention
Chester A. Arthur