As the election approached , Arthur came to realize that , like Hayes in 1880 , he was unlikely to win renomination in 1884 . In the months leading up to the 1884 Republican National Convention , James G. Blaine emerged as the favorite for the nomination , though Arthur had not totally given up on his hopes for another term . It quickly became clear to Arthur , however , that neither of the major party factions was prepared to give him their full support : the Half-Breeds were again solidly behind Blaine , while the Stalwarts were undecided . Some Stalwarts backed Arthur , but others supported 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 . Some business leaders supported Arthur , 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 . Arthur is the most recent individual to accede to the presidency after the death of a predecessor but be denied his party 's nomination to a full term
1884 Republican National Convention
1884 Republican National Convention
Presidency of Chester A. Arthur