Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-19
Death of Fx-Prcsident Arthur.


| President Chester A. Arthur, which
| occurred at his residence in New
! York city yesterday morning, was
received with profound regret through
out the country. He had many
warm friends, and those who mad
great respect for him are numbered by
thousands In all parts of the country.
He was not an old man. On the 30th of
Iasth month be reached his 56th birthday.
When be lett the Presdenc, he was ro-
bust in appearance. He was aware, even
| then, however, that unless he took great
care OF his health his life would not be
long. He susTected, if he did not actu-
ally know, that he was suffering from the
disease which finally caused his death.
He was believed to be bitterly disap-
pointed because be failed to get the Presi.
dental nomination of his party in 1884.
he worked for it and felt that he deserved
1t. His disappointment, doubtless, ac-
celebrated the progress of his disease.
Last summer he was at New London.
Conn, for several weeks, and the reports
of his physical condition sent out from
there were OF very hopeful character.
When be returned TO New York in the
early TALL the impression was given out
that he was so much improved that he
would soon be able TO attend to his bust
ness affairs.
Mr.. Arthur was not a great man but he
was much above the average of public
men. He received a liberal education,
and while be was neither student nor a
scholar, he was a close observer OF men
and things, and bis intellectual acquire
ments were such as to enable him TO ap
pear 10 advantage IN any circle. He paid
great attention to dress and department.
orally admitted that as a gentleman-in
manner, bearing, appearance and integ-
rity of purpose-ne had not a superior
among his predecessors.
Mr.. Arthur was well known in New
York politics quite long time before be
became known to the country. lie first
attracted general attention during the
administration OF Mr. Hayes. He was
then Collector OF the Port of New York.
and the Secretary If the Treasury, Mr.
Sherman, preferred charges against him.
1t was never shown positively that they
we're well founded. They were doubtless
part Of the game of politics which Mr..
sherman was at that time engaged in.
Mr.. Arthur was the warm friend and
supporter OF MIR. Conkling. and that.
doubtless, was one OF the reasons why the
favor o; the administration was with
drawn from him.
lie went TO The Chicago Convention in
June, 1880, without any expectation that
re would get the second place on the
Presidential ticket. The defeat of Grant,
however, made his nomination for Vice
President not only possible, but almost
necessity. A Western man having been
nominated for President, it became de-
sirable to have a strong New York man,
or New York man with strong friends,
Tor the second place. Mr.. Arthur had
strong friends in New York, and, besides.
1t was thought that his nomination
would tend TO lessen Mir. ConklIng's dis.
appointment at the defeat of Grant. He
was nominated June 8, and a year from
the Goth of the following September be
took the oath of office as President in the
city of New York, Garfield having died
at Long Branch on Sept. 10.
Mr.. Arthur during the three and a half
years he was President. gave the country
clean and respectable administration
de proposed nc great measures and had
no policy that attracted special attention.
His administration, in its last days, sent
commission to South America with the
idea of laying the foundation for closer
trade relations with the South American
republics, but its efforts were not produc-
tive OF the results aimed at. Mr.. Arthur
left the White House respected by polt.
zeal friends and foes, and by the people
generally. his own party was grateful
to him for not leaving it any scandals to
explain away, and the opposing party
ave him credit for trying to serve the
country faithfully and honestly.