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

A Sketch of His Life.
Chester A. Arthur was born in Franklin
county, Vermont, October 5, $780, He is the
oldest of family of two sons and five daugh-
tiers. His father was the Rev. Dr. William Ar
thur, a Baptist clergyman, who emigrated to
this country from the County Antrim, Ireland,
in his eighteenth year and died October 81. 1875,
In NewtOnyille, near Albany. DR.. Arthur was
I'D many respects rem arkable man. He &C
CURED 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 curiOsitieS of English erudte liter
allure. From 1855 to 1868 he was pastor of the
Calvary Baptist Church, of New York He also
filled the pulpits of Baptist churches in Ben
nngtOn. Hinesburg. Fairfield and Willston 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 country school during two years in
Vermont and then having managed, by rigid
economy, to save about $500 he started for New
\ Ork city and entered the law Office of ex-Judge
T. d. Culver as student. After being admitted
TO the bar he formed partnership with his init
mate friend and roommate. Henry ID. Gardiner
with the intention of practicing in the west, and
for three months they rOamed about in
the western states in search of an elgi-
bic site. but i'm the end returned to New York
where they hung out their joint single and
entered upon successful career almost from
the start. Gen. Arthur soon afterwards married
the daughter of Lieut.. HerndOn. U.S.N.. who
was lost at sea, and who calmly went down to
death smoking cigar. Congress voted gold
medal to his widow in recognition of the con-
spicuous bravery he displayed on that occasion
q fiYna In,
Jonathan and Juliet Lennon, Virginia slave
holders, intending to emgrate to Texas, went
to New York 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
in New York state Judge Paine rendered a
decision holding that they were not and order
ing the Lennon slaves to be liberated Henry
L. 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. EYartS and
Chester 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 O'Conor here espoused the
cause OF the shareholders, but he. too was
beaten by Messrs. Evarts and Arthur. and long
step was taken toward the ultimate success of
the abolition movement. Another great service
in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, respectable colOred
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 verdict
OF $500 damages. The next day the company
issued an order to permit coOred 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
lines refused to let them ride at all. Gen.
Arthur was 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. d. Morgan
soon after his Inauguration selected him to fill
the position of engineer-in-chief of his staff In
1861 he held the post of inspector general, and
soon after was advanced to that of quarterlnas-
ter general, which he held until the expiration
OF Governor MOrgans 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 quartermasters' accounts from
other states were reduced from 81 600 600 to
S1O,0OC,OOO. During his term of Office every
present sent to him was Immediately returned
Among others a prominent clothing house
offered him magnificent uniform. and print
ing house sent him costly saddle and trap
pings. Both gifts were Indignantly rejected
When Mr.. Arthur became quarterinaster
general ne was poor. When his
term of office expired he was poorer still.
Speaking of him at this period friend saws
so jealous was he of his integrity that | have
known instances where he could have made
thousands of dollars legitimately, and vet re-
fused to do it on the ground that he was a pub
nc oilicer and meant to be ike Caesars wife, above
suspicion His own words to me in regard to
this matter amply illustrate his character-.If
had Incorporated five cents and on walking
down town saw two men talking on the corner
together would imagine they were talking of
my dishonesty: and the very thought would
drive me 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
him. and the firm Of Arthur & Gardiner pros
peFed exceedingly. Much Of their work con-
sisted in the collection of war claims and the
drafting OF important bllsfOr speedy legislation.
and great deal Of Gen. Arthur's time was
spent in Albany and Washington, where his
UNIFORM success won for him a national reputa-
ton. For q short time he held the position Of
counsel to the board Of tax commissioners of
New York city. at salary of $40 600
per annum. 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
cOllectorship of the port of New York on No
yemDer 10. 1871, President Grant nominated
Gen. Arthur to the vacant position. and fnnr
years later when his term expired renominated
him, an honor that had never been shown to any
previous collector in the history of the port. He
was removed by President Hayes on july 10
1873. 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 as numerous as they were grateful to the
mercantile community. After his removal he
engaged in the practice Of the law and in the
direction of republican politics in New York,
being chairman of the republican state commit
tee. He was nominated for Vice President at
the national republican convention ON the Sth of
June 1880, only one ballot being taken. In person
Gen. Arthur is over Fix feet i'm height. broad
shouldered, athletic and handsome Like his
predecessor in the Vice Presidential chair. he is
an ardent disciple Of Walton. He is man of
great culture and wide experience. an able law
yer with refined tastes and manners of the
utmost genialty.
Gen. Arthur's First Executive Employment.
Gen. Arthurs first executive employment was
as a school teacher. and he soon became head
master of the North Pownal Academy in Yer
mont. OF his school experience Cn lSi9) de-
scription by himself in a letter to an intimate