James A. Garfield, a Republican, was elected President in 1880. His nomination was a defeat for party leaders known as Stalwarts, who openly opposed civil service reforms begun by Hayes. However, Chester Arthur, a Stalwart, was selected for Vice President. Garfield, a few months after he took office, was shot by a disappointed Stalwart office-seeker. Garfield's death in September, 1881, elevated Arthur to the Presidency and aroused the country to the need for civil service reform by law. Unexpectedly, Arthur supported the reform movement. His cooperation made possible passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883), which removed thousands of federal positions from political influence.