Wilson 's lengthy period of incapacity while serving as president was nearly unprecedented ; of the previous presidents , only James Garfield had been in a similar situation .
James Garfield retained greater control of Wilson 's mental faculties and faced relatively few pressing issues .
Wilson 's lengthy period of incapacity while serving as president was nearly unprecedented ; of the previous presidents , only James Garfield had been in a similar situation , but Garfield retained greater control of his mental faculties and faced relatively few pressing issues .