In preparation for the 1880 presidential election , Senator Conkling became the leader of the movement for the nomination of General Grant for a third term in the Presidency . He had a strong regard for Grant , and was hostile to the other two leading Republican candidates , Sherman , with whom he had come into conflict during Hayes 's administration , and James G. Blaine , whose bitter political and personal enemy he had been for 24 years . The convention , after 33 generally consistent , inconclusive ballots , by a combination of the Blaine and Sherman interests , nominated James A. Garfield on the 36th ballot . Garfield 's supporters wanted to heal the rift caused by Garfield 's nomination by offering the vice presidency to a Stalwart . They first approached Levi P. Morton , who sought Conkling 's advice . Unhappy over the outcome of the presidential nomination fight and believing Garfield was likely to lose , Conkling counseled Morton to decline , which he did . Garfield 's supporters then approached another prominent Stalwart , Chester A. Arthur . Conkling advised Arthur to decline , as he had advised Morton . Arthur decided to accept , and Garfield and he narrowly won the November election
convention
1880 Republican National Convention
Roscoe Conkling