Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-06-18
Gen, Chester A. Arthur.

Gov. Charles Foster of Ohio, whose judg-
ment of men is entitled to high respect, says
of the Republican nominee for Vice Presi-
dent
81 know that Gen Arthur's nomination is
criticised by many Republicans, and there
seems to be a want of knowledge of General
Arthur, and feeling exists that he was in
some way corrnptly connected with the man.
acement of the New York custom house, and
that for this reason he was removed by Presi-
dent Hayes lhave known much of General
Arthur for the past ten years. He is man
of fine culture and an excellent lawyer, with
a creditable army record. He was appoint
ed collector of customs of the port OF New
York in 1871 by President Grant, and con-
tiuued in office until 1879. Without any
question or doubt he was one of the most
popular collectors that New York has ever
had. At the time of his removal he was in-
dorsed for retention by probably nine-tenths
of the merchants of New York doing bust
ness with him, headed by such houses as
Claflins and Stewards. He was not removed
on account of alleged corruption IN office,
but his removal grew out of the enforcement
Of President Hayess civil service reform or
der. As l understand the case, Mr.. Sher-
man, as Secretary, did desire to make some
reforms in the management of the New York
custom house that were not approved by
Collector Arthur, and at the same time Ar
thur either did, or was willing to, tender his
resignation of the place, and in time the
President rendered him an appoint
ment to an important foreign mis-
sion. But for the trouble that
grew out of the Discrimination of
Mr. Cornell, who was the surveyor of the
port, to obey President Hayes's civil service
order, and the complications that grew Oh
of his probable offensive disregard of it, l
think Mr.. Arthur would have resigned the
collectorship and accepted the foreign ap-
pointment My impression is that ut this
point Mr.. Arthur felt that, as an honorable
mau. he ought to stand or fall with Mr.. Cor
nell The public will recollect that Mr..
Cornell was chairman of the Republican
State Central Committee of New ork, and,
in disregard Of the civil service order of the
President, continued to hold the office OF
chairman and to discharge its duties, and did
so quite Extensively, compelling, as l under
stood, the President to notice it, which he
did in the removal Of Cornell and Arthur,
and the appointment Of their successors,
do not understand that, in all the contro-
versy, the President or Secretary Sher-
man ever called Mr.. Arthur's integrity, or MIR
Cornelps, for that matter, into account.
Last year, when Mr.. Cornell was the Re
publican candidate for Governor of New
York, the President, in published inter
view, expressed the hope that the Republ
cans of New York would support and cleo
him. Secretary Evarts, Secretary Sherman
Gen. Garfield, myself, and others went Il
New York and stumped the State in MIR
Cofhelrs interest In view of these facts
Gen. Arthur's nomination can hardly b.
called, as is sometimes said, a slap at thu
President have not any question abou
the high personal character, culture ant
ability of Gen. Arthur successfully to dis
charge any duty that may devolve upon hin
by reason of his election to the Vicc-Presi
dency."