Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-09-24
PRESIDENT ARTHUR.
Gath's Account of The Political
Career of the New President.
The Promises Of His Admins
lrRliOn.

It is said that Tom Murphy, after
ward Collector of the Port, drew
Arthur into politics, by having the
city government, in Tammany times,
make Arthur counsel to the tax com,
missioners. In turn Arthur assisted
to make Murphy a State Senator.
After Grant reached the Presidency
he put Murphy into the place of Col
lector of the Port, whereupon there
was loud opposition, followed by Muir
phys resignation, and, at Murphy's
request, Grant then made Arthur
Collector of the Port, much to the
surprise of tho people, who in general
knew little about him.
For the next ten years, however,
the constant investigations of the
Customhouse and the huge business it
did for the country made Arthur a
marked man. When he was removed
by Hayes strong petitions were pre-
pared in protest. But General Mer,
rift took the place and held it until
the recent confirmation Of Robertson.
In the meantime Arthur, who had
developed into a pretty bright polite
ian, and had got complete control OF
the COnkling machine in New York,
became the regular engineer OF the
Republican campaigns. 1t was he
who decided to support Cooper, Dem
ocrat, for Mayor. His office was in
the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and nearly
all the moneys to be spent for the
election passed through his hands,
The merchants generally had conf
dence in him. His manne was rather
fine, yet sweet. He was always fair to
look upon, with a pair of rich black
| eyes, in which lay a refined smile. A
healthy color was in his cheeks,
betokening good living, and he wore
a pretty dress, which became him.
Not originally a man of streng powers,
his graces were such that when he
has done a thing for a certain time he
shows skill and %perfectness in it. He
became a politician slowly, and seldom
presumed until he knew the business,
and then he could be severe if neces-
sary. He had to say mo" often, and
cut off the head OF many a friend. If
there is anything he will be perfect in
when he takes the Presidency, 1t will
be making appointments and removals.
Arthur is a Republican politician
in his views, but a Democratic politi
clan in his ways. He would regulate
a party on the Jacksonian plan, OF
discipline from the top. Under Nor.
gan he saw a rich, self-seeking and
rather timid man, who, after he had
reached the highest position in the
State, had not the art to maintain
himself, and was easily beaten by Fen
ton for the Senate. Being the bene-
fciary of Fenton's discontinue,
Arthur, Of course, allied himself to
| General Grant, and through Grant to
Conkling. He possesses in a high
degree the receptive, dOcile qualities
of character necessary to get along
with 0onkling. The phlegm and
stolid conceit Governor Cornell pos
sesses is foreign to Arthur's nature.
There is a great deal that is still boy
ish, generous and pretty about Arthur.
He has been accustomed, however, to
| behavior rather than to formulating
principles. He is an intense Republic
can, and believes that to let 60 of the
organization in the slightest respect is
TO invite disaster to the party. He
thinks Conkling to be a man Of the
largest powers, both Of mind aud will.
Conkling, however, did his best to
keep Arthur from accepting the nom
nation for Vice President, which has
turned out to be Conkling's only sal
walton in the time Of dispair. General
Arthur might, therefore, begin to con-
slider himself a wiser politician than
Conkling.
Although the nomination Of Arthur
was not well received in New York,
because he was considered to be rather
a city politician than a statesman, yet
it no doubt strengthened the ticket in
this quarter. de was seen every day
conducting the campaign in this
State, and to some extent Throughout
the country, working methodically and
with altered habits, and many men
were induced to contribute in New
York by the sight Of this rather
cheery-faced gentleman going to his
Office like another man TO a bank,
morning after morning.
Arthur has made two mistakes
since he became Vice-President. The
first was to endeavor TO elect Crowley
Senator against the Governors friend,
Plat, in which he was beaten. The
next was the attempt to put Conkling
back in the Senate after he resigned,
where he was also beaten. These two
failures ought to have had an instrue
tive influence upon the lice Presi-
dent. 1t is current belief that they
have affected his confidence to the
extent that he will seek out some
Oonkling or other mar Of power. to
advise with, if greater duties should
davolvo unon him