James A. Garfield was a Congressman from 1863 on and was Senator-elect when nominated for President in 1880. Before entering Congress he had been a college president and a brigadier general in the Union Army.
James A. Garfield was a Congressman from 1863 on and was Senator-elect when nominated for President in 1880. Before entering Congress he had been a college president and a brigadier general in the Union Army.
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In other words he was something besides a politician.
There are few senators or representatives that have any other experience than politics or government jobs.