The 1884 Republican National Convention passed over Arthur in favor of James G. Blaine , but Cleveland defeated Blaine in the 1884 presidential election . Although Arthur 's failing health and political temperament combined to make his administration less active than a modern presidency , he earned praise among contemporaries for his solid performance in office . Journalist Alexander McClure later wrote , " No man ever entered the presidency so profoundly and widely distrusted as Chester Alan Arthur , and no one ever retired ... more generally respected , alike by political friend and foe . " Since his death , Arthur 's reputation has mostly faded from the public consciousness . Although some have praised his flexibility and willingness to embrace reform , present-day historians and scholars generally rank him as a below-average president
1884 Republican National Convention
1884 Republican National Convention
Presidency of Chester A. Arthur