Chester Arthur

Chester Alan Arthur served as the 21st President of the United States from 1881 to 1885. His presidency is noted…

By Staff , in Presidents , at July 5, 2024 Tags: 1881, presidents, usa

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Chester Alan Arthur served as the 21st President of the United States from 1881 to 1885. His presidency is noted for his efforts in civil service reform and his unexpected rise from the Vice Presidency following the assassination of President James A. Garfield.

Early Life and Career
Birth: Chester Arthur was born on October 5, 1829, in Fairfield, Vermont.
Education: He graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York, in 1848.
Law Practice: Arthur became a lawyer in New York City, gaining a reputation for his work on civil rights cases. He notably won a case in 1854 that led to the desegregation of New York City streetcars.

Political Career
Early Political Roles: Arthur held various administrative positions, including Quartermaster General of the New York Militia during the Civil War, where he was responsible for provisioning and logistics.
Collector of the Port of New York: Appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant, Arthur served as the Collector of the Port of New York from 1871 to 1878. This position was influential and lucrative, but he was removed from office by President Rutherford B. Hayes as part of an effort to reform the patronage system.

Vice Presidency and Presidency
Election as Vice President: Arthur was nominated as Vice President in 1880 on the Republican ticket with James A. Garfield. They won the election, and Arthur took office in March 1881.
Presidency: Following Garfield’s assassination by Charles Guiteau on September 19, 1881, Arthur was sworn in as President.
Civil Service Reform: Despite his background in the patronage system, Arthur supported and signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883, which established a merit-based system for federal employment and sought to eliminate corruption.
Other Policies: Arthur also modernized the U.S. Navy and worked on immigration issues, signing the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, which restricted Chinese immigration.

Later Life and Legacy
Health: Arthur suffered from Bright’s disease, a kidney ailment, which affected his health during his presidency.
Post-Presidency: After leaving office in 1885, Arthur returned to New York City, where he practiced law.
Death: He died on November 18, 1886, at the age of 57.

Historical Assessment
Reputation: Arthur’s presidency is often seen as a surprising success, given his initial reputation as a machine politician. His support for civil service reform and efforts to reduce corruption in government are notable achievements.
Legacy: Chester Arthur is remembered for his integrity and ability to rise above partisan politics to support important reforms.