San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-11-19
CHESTER A. ARTHUR DEAD.

Qualnteu WIN Nun 10 knO" MS eACeIleH-
oies and appreciate bis worth. Mr..
Arthur has been an invalid since leaving
the white house. lie has suffered from
complication of diseases, but the immr-
diate cause OF his death was cerebral APP
poplexy. He was fifty-six years of age
at the time OF his death, a widower for
| the past seven years, and leaves two
| children; son, Chester Allen, aged
twenty-five years, and his fourteen year
old daughter, Nellie, to whom he was
passionately devoted.
Chester A. Arthur wac born in Fair
field, Vermont, October 9th, 1880. His
father was Baptist clergyman OF con-
siderable reputation; a graduate of Bel
fast university, Ireland. Chester was
carefully educated at home, entered
Union College Schenectady at fifteen
years of age; graduated with honor in
ISIS; partially supported himself by
| teaching while passing through college
and followed that profession for several
years thereafter. Studied law and was
York in 1853. Six years later he married
Miss Ellen Lewis HerndOn, daughter OF
a deceased naval officer, Of Virginia.
Mrs. Arthur died in January, 1880, and
the ex-president never remarked.
As lawyer Mr.. Arthur had II high
reputation at the New York bar. As II
champion of the rights Of the cOOred
people he won enviable legal distinction
in cases argued before the supreme
court OF his state and the court of APP
peals, against the ahest counsel In Viz
gina. Mr.. Arthur was originally Clay
whig in politics. but naturally gravi.
tated to the republican party, and WAS
member Of the Saratoga convention
which founded the republican party OF
New York. AS inspector general, quar-
termaster general and engineer under
Governor Morgan during the late war
he rendered most efficient service, and
not n dollar OF deduction was made
when his accounts were audited Al
Washington at the close of the rebel
lion. At the secret meeting OF loyal
governors in 1862 Mr.. Arthur WAS the
only person present not Il governor of II
state, and his presence at the council
was by special invitation.
Returning to the practice OF his proNl
fessiOn, he was actively and successfully
engaged In its duties until 1871, when he
was appointed by General u. S Grant
collector Of the port of New York. He
WAS re-appOinted in 1875. .Neglectng
to comply with President Hayes'order of
1878, prohibiting persons in the civil
employ OF the government from taking
part In political matters. Mr.. Arthur
WAS removed from his cOllectOrship. He
was at that time chairman of the Repu5-
lican Central committee of New York
City and did not deem it wise to resign
his office. Two special commissions, insti-
gated by his political and personal
enemies, made thorough investigation
OF his office, but both the president and
the secretary Of the treasury were
obliged to acknowledge the purity of his
political acts. His reforms we're more
practical, sweeping, and more thor
Oughly in accordance with the prOvs-
ions of the civil service than those of
any Of his predecessors or successors.
Retiring from his collectorship he re-
sumed the practice OF his profession.
Was prominent in the convention which
attempted to.nOminate Grant for third
presidential term, and was the vice.
presidential nominee OF that convention
by reclamation. He took part with
Conkling in his controversy with Presi-
dent Garfield and lost favor with the
republican party of the nation on that
account. During the trying period
which followed the assassination of
President Garfield, Mr.. Arthur showed
the real greatness of his character and
slowly won recognition for great
abilities and wise administrative quail.
tiles, such as had not heretofore been
accorded him by the nation at large.
Perhaps no man who ever was placed at
the head OF this nation has hsd a more
delicate position to fill than had Mr..
Arthur, when called to take the place of
his chief, against whom he had been In
opposition. During the almost four
years that he was president Of
this nation he approved himself
to the nation rs man Of
pure, honorable and dignitied character;
q statesman OF broad, liberal, wise,
humane, and progressive ideas; an ex-
ecutiye officer of rare administrative
qualities, and at all times gen tleman
In whom the dignity and honor OF the
nation were well represented. His adj
ministratiOn was respected at home and
abroad, and when he retired from office
he carried with him the respect and
confidence Of the entire nation.
The cares OF office have borne this
honorable man, this true friend, this
loving husband and father into an I'M
timely grave. The nation mourns him
as one every way worthy Of honor, for
upon his memory there lies not a
shadow. Requiscat in pace.
THAT abortion called a congress is be-
ginning to show signs OF reassembling.