Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-09-20
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
A Sketch of His Life.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
A Sketch of His Life.
Chester A. Arthur was born in Franklin
county, Vermont. October 5, $780, He is the
oldest of a family of two sons and five daugll-
tiers. His father was the Rev. Dr.. William Ar
thur, Baptist clergyman, who emigrated to
this country from the County Antrim, Ireland.
in his eighteenth year and died October 81, 1875,
in NewtOnville, near Albany. DR.. Arthur was
in many respects rema rkable man. He ac-
quired extended fame not only in his calling,
but also in the domains of authorship His work
on Family Names is regarded the world over
as one OF the curosites of English erudite liter
allure. From 1855 to 1863 he was pastor of the
Calvary Baptist Church, of New York. He also
hlled the pulpits of Baptist churches in Ben
nngton, Hlnesburg. Fairfield and Williston in
Vermont, and York, Perry Greenwich, Sche-
nectady. Lansingburg, HOOsic. West Troy
and Newtonville, in that state. His other son
made gallant record in the war of the
rebellion and is now paymaster of the regular
army with the rank OF major. Gen Arthur was
educated at Union College and was graduated
in the class Of 40. After leaving college he
taught a country school during two years in
Vermont and then having managed. by rigid
economy. to save about $500 he started for New
York city and entered the law office of ex-Judge
h. ID. Culver as student. After being admitted
TO the bar he formed partnership with his init
mate friend and roommate, Henry d. Gardiner.
with the intention Of practicing in the west, and
for three months they rOamed about in
the western states in search of an eligi-
BILE site. but i'll the end returned to New York
where they hung out their joint shinge and
entered upon successful career almost from
the start. Gen. Arthur soon afterwards married
the daughter of Lieut.. Herndon. US.N.. who
was lost at sea, and who calmly went down to
death smoking cigar. Congress voted gold
mccall to his widow in recognition of. the con-
spicuous bravery he displayed on that occasion
Mrs. Arthur died only short time ago In 1852
Jonathan and Juliet Lennon. Virginia slave
holders, intending to emigrate to Texas, went
to New DIRK to await the sailing of steamer
taking eight slaves with them. A writ
OF habeas corpus was obtained from
Judge Paine. to test the question whether the
provisions of the fugitive slave law were in force
III New York state. Judge Paine rendered
decision holding that they were not. and order
ING the Lennon slaves to be liberated. Henry
J.. Clinton was one Of the counsel for the slave
holders. As much concern was felt about the
matter in the south. the Virginia legislature
authorized the attorney general of that state to
assist IN taking an appeal. VIM. NJ. Evarts and
Chesfef A. Arthur were employed to represent
the people. and they won the case. which then
went TO the Supreme Court of the United
states. Charles OCOnOr here espOused the
cause of the Shareholders, but he too was
beaten by Messrs Evarts and Arthur and a long
step was taken toward the ultimate success of
IN the same cause was rendered by Gen. Arthur
in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, respectable coiored
woman was put Off a 4th avenue car in New
York city. after she had paid her fare Gen.
Arthur sued IN her behalf and secured Il verdict
Of $500 damages. The next day the COMPANY
issued an order to permit colored persons to
ride on their cars. and the other street railroad
companies quickly followed their example. Be-
fore that the 9TH avenue company ran few
special cars for colored persons, and the other
IN rain cad 70 LOT r.I
Arthur was a delegate to the convention at
Saratoga that founded the republican
party. Previous to the outbreak of the war he
was Judge advocate of the second brigade of the
New York state militia. Gov. f. ID. Morgan
soon after his Inauguration selected him to fill
the position of engineer-in-chief of his staff In
1851 he held the post of inspector general and
soon after was advanced to that of 1uartermas-
ter general. which he held until the expiration
OF Governor MoTgans term of office.
Although the war account of the state of New
York was much larger than that OF any other
state. yet it was the first audited and allowed in
Washington. and without the deduction of a
dollar, while the quarternasters' accounts from
other states were reduced from S1.0OO.OOO to
Slo,Oo.OUO. During his term of office every
present sent To him was Immediately returned.
Among Others prominent clothing house
offered him magnificent uniform and a print
ing house sent him costly saddle and trap
pings. Both gifts We're Indignantly rejected
When Mr.. Arthur became quarterinaster
general he was poor. When his
term of office expired he was poorer still.
Speaking OF him at this period a friend says:-
$50 jealous was he OF his integrity that have
known instances where he could have made
thousands Of dollars legitimateiy, and yet re-
fused to do it on the ground that he was a pub
iic ohcerand meant to be like Caesars wife, above
suspicion His own words to me in regard to
this matter amply illustrate his character-.If
had msappropriated five cents and on walking
a m fh.,
together would imagine they We're talking Of
nay dishonesty. and the very thought would
drive mad
At the expiration Of Gov. Morgan's term. Gen.
Arthur returned to his law practice Business
of the most lucrative character poured in upon
hiln. and the firm Of Arthur Il Gardiner pros
pered exceedingly. Much of their work con-
sisted III the collection of war claims and the
drafting OF important bills for speedy legislation
anu great deal OF Gen. Arthur's time was
spent in Albany and Washington. where his
uniform success won for him national reDuta-
ton. For short time he held the position of
counsel to the board of tax commissioners of
New York city. at a salary of $4,000
per amman. Gradually he was drawn
into the arena of politics. He nominated
and by his efforts elected the Hon. ThOs Murphy
a state senator. When the latter resigned the
collcctOrship Of the port of New York on No.
yember 20. 1871, President Grant nominated
Cen Arthur TO the vacant position. and four
years later when his term expired renomnated
him, an honor that had never been shown to any
previous collector il the history OF the port He
was removed by President Hayes on July L.
1878. despite the fact that two special com
/ mittees made searching investigation into
his administration. and both reported
themselves unable to find ANYTHING
upon which to base a charge against him
The reforms which Gen Arthur instituted in the
methods OF doing business in the custom house
/ were rs numerous as they were grateful to the
mercantile community. After his removal he
engaged in the practice of the law and i'm the
direction OF republican politics in New York,
beng chairman OF the republican state commit
Tee lie was nominated for Wee President at
the national republican convention on the Sth of
June 1871. only one ballot being taken In person
zen Arthur is over xix feet in height. broad
shouidered, athletic land handsome Like his
predecessor IN the Vice Presidential chair he is
an ardent disciple of Walton. He is a man of
great culture and wide experience an able law
I yer, with refined tastes and manners of the
I utmost genialty.
Gen. Arthur'> First Executive Emn,oyment
| Gen Arthurs first executive employment ,v,s
/ as a school teacher. and he soon became baad
master of the North Pownai Academy in Var-
mont. OF his school experience lin lSlO q de-
scription by himself in a letter To an Intimate