[190] One crack in the solidly Democratic South emerged with the growth of a new party, the Readjusters, in Virginia. A second case was also instrumental in advancing Arthur's public profile. [85] Hayes's opponent, New York Governor Samuel J. Tilden, carried New York and won the popular vote nationwide, but after the resolution of several months of disputes over twenty electoral votes (from Florida, Louisiana, Oregon, and South Carolina), Hayes was declared the winner. [144], In the 1870s, a scandal was exposed, in which contractors for star postal routes were greatly overpaid for their services with the connivance of government officials (including Second Assistant Postmaster General Thomas J. Brady and former senator Stephen Wallace Dorsey). [74] Eventually, the pressure to replace Murphy grew too great, and Grant asked for his resignation in December 1871. Two days later, in Washington, D.C., Arthur was given the oath of office by the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Congress passes the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. [128] Once there, he traveled with Conkling to Albany, where the former senator hoped for a quick re-election to the Senate, and with it, a defeat for the Garfield administration. And one of those is the 21st president, Chester A. Arthur. The son of a Baptist preacher who had emigrated from northern Ireland, Chester A. Arthur was America's 21st President (1881-85), succeeding President James Garfield upon his assassination.. 1839. Son William Lewis Herndon Arthur born (d. July 8, 1863), Appointed brigadier general, New York State Militia, Promoted to Quartermaster General, State of New York. Arthur was born in Fairfield, Vermont in 1829. Along with overseeing a major renovation of the White House, President Arthur saw three major events happen during his administration: I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. The two became associates within New York Republican party circles, eventually rising in the ranks of the conservative branch of the party dominated by Thurlow Weed. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. The commission found political favoritism and blatant patronage governing appointments, exposed the practice of salary kickbacks, and charged the port authority with being criminally overstaffed. The case helped lead to the desegregation of public transportation in New York City. [122] The running mates, never close, detached as Garfield continued to freeze out the Stalwarts from his patronage. "[189], Like his Republican predecessors, Arthur struggled with the question of how his party was to challenge the Democrats in the South and how, if at all, to protect the civil rights of black southerners. [144] Of the Cabinet members Arthur had inherited from Garfield, only Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln remained for the entirety of Arthur's term. [r] He was laid beside his wife in a sarcophagus on a large corner of the plot. By the 1880s, this system had grown incredibly corrupt, and many were pressing for reform. Chester A. Arthur. [121], After the election, Arthur worked in vain to persuade Garfield to fill certain positions with his fellow New York Stalwartsespecially that of the Secretary of the Treasury; the Stalwart machine received a further rebuke when Garfield appointed Blaine, Conkling's arch-enemy, as Secretary of State. [145] But Arthur's Attorney General, Brewster, did in fact continue the investigations begun by MacVeagh, and hired notable Democratic lawyers William W. Ker and Richard T. Merrick to strengthen the prosecution team and forestall the skeptics. While in the White House, Arthur's sisterMary Arthur McElroy served as the White House hostess. Chandler spared no expense in the rescue effort and had purchased one of the finest sealers afloat, the USS Bear, from Scottish owner Walter Grieve, for $100,000. ", Major Events and Accomplishments While President. [73] A rising tide of reform within the party caused Arthur to rename the financial extractions from employees as "voluntary contributions" in 1872, but the concept remained, and the party reaped the benefit of controlling government jobs. [59] Both children survived to adulthood. [71], In 1870, President Grant gave Conkling control over New York patronage, including the Custom House at the Port of New York. The military service played to his advantage; he gained a reputation for efficiency, administrative genius, and reliability. "[76], The Senate confirmed Arthur's appointment; as Collector he controlled nearly a thousand jobs and received compensation as great as any federal officeholder. All nine defendants are found not guilty. Traveled to Kansas with roommate Henry Gardiner. When Garfield was assassinated by a disappointed office seeker who wanted the Stalwart Arthur to be president, public apprehension increased markedly. They had five children together. William's mother was born Eliza McHarg and she married Alan Arthur. Chester A. Arthur, in full Chester Alan Arthur, (born October 5, 1829, North Fairfield, Vermont, U.S.died November 18, 1886, New York, New York), 21st president of the United States. [7][8] Arthur has also been described as one of the least memorable presidents. Opt in to send and receive text messages from President Biden. He succeeded James Garfield who had been assassinated in 1881. Chester A Arthur: Twenty-First President of the United States. Arthur vetoed the first version of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, arguing that its twenty-year ban on Chinese immigrants to the United States violated the Burlingame Treaty, but he signed a second version, which included a ten-year ban. [40] In 1853, after studying at State and National Law School in Ballston Spa, New York, and then saving enough money to relocate, Arthur moved to New York City to read law at the office of Erastus D. Culver, an abolitionist lawyer and family friend. Evidence suggested that the men had survived through cannibalism. [148] Failure to obtain a conviction tarnished the administration's image, but Arthur did succeed in putting a stop to the fraud. [50] He was so efficient at housing and outfitting the troops that poured into New York City that he was promoted to inspector general of the state militia in March 1862, and then to quartermaster general that July. [146] An 1882 trial of the ringleaders resulted in convictions for two minor conspirators and a hung jury for the rest. [39] While studying law, he continued teaching, moving closer to home by taking a job at a school in North Pownal, Vermont. Upon his retirement from duty in 1863, Arthur threw himself into his law practice, representing clients suing for war-related damages and reimbursements. The fifth of eight children, Chester had six sisters and one older brother. [134] Before leaving New York, he ensured the presidential line of succession by preparing and mailing to the White House a proclamation calling for a Senate special session. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. 8 Most Forgettable Presidents of the United States, The Boston Massacre: The American Revolution, 10 Things You Should Know About Warren G. Harding, 12th President of the United States: General Zachary Taylor. I feel like its a lifeline. [35] One of his first teachers said Arthur was a boy "frank and open in manners and genial in disposition. As president, Chester A. Arthur achieved four major things: Arthur also presided over a massive renovation of the White House that cost nearly $2 million in today's dollars! Ulysses S. Grant. When he became an attorney, he had his law practice in New York City. Although Garfield initially survived the shooting, he battled infections and died two months later, at age 49, on September 19. Later that day he took a train to Long Branch to pay his respects to Garfield and to leave a card of sympathy for his wife, afterwards returning to New York City. He vetoed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which suspended Chinese immigration for 10 years; however, Congress overrode his veto. The bill passed both houses narrowly on March 3, 1883, the last full day of the 47th Congress; Arthur signed the measure into law, with no effect on the surplus. The court renders a verdict in the second Star-Route case. August 6, 1889 Harrison tours New England Building on the work of President Arthur, Harrison tours New England and reveals plans for an expanded merchant marine and two-ocean Navy. [123] Garfield ultimately appointed a Stalwart, Thomas Lemuel James, to be Postmaster General, but the cabinet fight and Arthur's ill-considered speech left the President and Vice President clearly estranged when they took office on March 4, 1881. After college, Arthur spent several years teaching school and reading law, but he was clear about what he wanted to do with his life: He sought to reside in Manhattan as a wealthy lawyer and public servant, living the life of a true gentleman. In the early 1850s, he served as the principal of schools in North Pownal, Vermont, and Cohoes, New York. The verdict in the Star-Route trial is rendered. After James Garfield was assassinated in 1881, Chester A. Arthur became President of the United States. He attended Union College to be a teacher. DJs, music, dance, cocktails, drinks, bottle service, vip-service. Washington, DC 20500. [115], As expected, the election was close. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. [201] He attempted to keep his condition private, but by 1883 rumors of his illness began to circulate; he had become thinner and more aged in appearance, and struggled to keep the pace of the presidency. A chronology of key events in the life of Chester Alan Arthur (1829-1886), twenty-first president of the Unites States. Grover Cleveland is inaugurated as the twenty-second President of the United States. [124], The Senate in the 47th United States Congress was divided among 37 Republicans, 37 Democrats, one independent (David Davis) who caucused with the Democrats, one Readjuster (William Mahone), and four vacancies. [143] Conkling expected Arthur to appoint him in Blaine's place, but the President chose Frederick T. Frelinghuysen of New Jersey, a Stalwart recommended by ex-President Grant. [225], Union College awarded Arthur the honorary degree of LL.D. Corrections? Historic Site v t e Chester Alan Arthur (October 5, 1829 [b] - is an American politician who served as the 21st president of the United States from 1881 to 1885. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/chester-a-arthur/?utm_source=link, Office of the United States Trade Representative. [219], Several Grand Army of the Republic posts were named for Arthur, including Goff, Kansas,[220] Lawrence, Nebraska,[221] Medford, Oregon,[222] and Ogdensburg, Wisconsin. Back to menu! Visited correspondent Julia I. An ardent abolitionist, Arthur also pleaded successfully the case of a slave who sued for his freedom on the ground that his master had brought him temporarily to the free state of New York. Further on in the same enactment, the following appears: To Messrs. Roberts, Underhill, Kempston and Warburton, by order of C. A. Arthur and counsel in the case of Jonathan Lemmon against the People of the State of New York, for taking stenographic reports of the arguments in said case, and transcribing the same, the sum of three hundred dollars. [212] Instead, Arthur nominated Samuel Blatchford, who had been a judge on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals for the prior four years. Enrolled in academy in Union Village, N.Y. There he pursued the traditional classical curriculum, supplementing his tuition by teaching at a nearby town during winter vacations. [196] In 1882, he signed the Edmunds Act into law; the legislation made polygamy a federal crime, barring polygamists both from public office and the right to vote. [142] Blaine, nemesis of the Stalwart faction, remained Secretary of State until Congress reconvened and then departed immediately. Arthur's failing health and political temperament combined to make his administration less active than a modern presidency, yet he earned praise among contemporaries for his solid performance in office. Due to rising anti-Chinese feelings, Congress attempted to pass a law stopping Chinese immigration for 20 years which Arthur vetoed. Suffering from poor health, he did not run for reelection in 1884. [161], During the Garfield administration, Secretary of State James G. Blaine attempted to invigorate United States diplomacy in Latin America, urging reciprocal trade agreements and offering to mediate disputes among the Latin American nations. [62] Morgan leaned toward the conservative wing of the New York Republican party, as did the men who worked with him in the organization, including Weed, Seward (who continued in office under President Andrew Johnson), and Roscoe Conkling (an eloquent Utica Congressman and rising star in the party). Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Chester A. Arthur Profession: 21st US President Nationality: American Political Party: Republican Political Titles: Vice President Presidential Term: September 19, 1881 - March 4, 1885 Preceded By: James Garfield Succeeded By: Grover Cleveland Biography: The 21st President of the United States (1881-85). His family moved often. Arthur is remembered primarily for three things: He was never elected to the presidency and two significant pieces of legislation, one positive and the other negative. [136] On September 22, he re-took the oath of office, this time before Chief Justice Morrison R. Waite. [137][m] He initially took up residence at the home of Senator John P. Jones, while a White House remodeling he had ordered was carried out, including addition of an elaborate fifty-foot glass screen by Louis Comfort Tiffany. On June 29, 1883, the second left St. John's, with two ships, the Proteus, commanded by First Lieutenant Ernest Garlington, U.S. 7th Calvary, and the steam gunboat USS Yantic. Served as President: 1881-1885 Vice President: none Party: Republican Age at inauguration: 51 Born: October 5, 1829 in Fairfield, Vermont Died: November 18, 1886 in New York, New York Married: Ellen Lewis Herndon Arthur Children: Chester, Ellen Nickname: Elegant Arthur Biography: His Baptist minister father, William Arthur, hailed from Ireland, and his mother, Malvina Stone Arthur, was from Vermont. Responsible for provisioning and housing the several hundred thousand soldiers supplied by the state to the federal cause, as well as for the defenses of New York, Arthur dealt with hundreds of private contractors and military personnel. The original designer, John Roebling, died of an infection caused by an injury he received only days after having secured permission to begin his project. He asked the cabinet members to remain until December, when Congress would reconvene, but Treasury Secretary William Windom submitted his resignation in October to enter a Senate race in his home state of Minnesota. Publisher Alexander K. McClure recalled, No man ever entered the Presidency so profoundly and widely distrusted, and no one ever retired more generally respected.. [150] As a result, the lame-duck session of Congress was more amenable to civil service reform; the Senate approved Pendleton's bill 385 and the House soon concurred by a vote of 15547. [111] They next approached Arthur, and Conkling advised him to also reject the nomination, believing the Republicans would lose. The pressure to replace Murphy grew too great, and Cohoes, New York City the Stalwart,. Months later, at age 49, on September 19 had six sisters and one older.... Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which suspended Chinese immigration for 10 ;... 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