Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-11-19
A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
He Was Not Brilliant But Conservative and
Safe.


Chester Allan Arthur, the twenty-frst
President of the United States, was born
in Franklin county, Vermont, October 3,
1880. His father was Scotchman, and
pastor of Baptist churchesin Vermont and
New York. After his graduation as bach
elor of arts from Union college, Mr.. Arthur
studied law and began practice in 1850 in
New York city, which he made his home
from that time. Originally q Wing he
Joined the Republican party on its forma-
tion and soon became u prominent leader
in New York. At the outbreak of the
civil war he was entrusted by Governor
Morgan with the arming and subdizing of
the troops raised in New York, and he
was succeS sfully made engineer
in-chief, inspector general and quar-
termaster General, equipping and sending
to the field siXty-eight regiments Of in
fantry, six battaliOns and ten batteries in
thespace of four months. In 1871 he was
appointed collector Of the port of New
York City, which he retained until 1878,
when he was removed by President Hayes.
When the dIsSeuSionS arose in the Repub-
lead party Mr.. Arthur arrayed himself
with the StalwartS. At the national con-
vention in 1880 the anti-Stalwart wing
was successful i'll preventing the nOmina-
tiOn of General Grant to the Presidency,
and in securing that of General Garfield
Mr.. Arthur was then nominated as Vice
President in order that both wings of the
party might be represented on the ticket.
rhe Republicans were successful i'll the
ensuing election, and the assassination Of
President Garfield within six months OF
his inauguration raised Mr.. Arthur to the
Presidency September 10, 1881.
During the three years and Il half of his
Presidency, General Arthur administered
the affairs of the nation Creditably, but
without displaying any brilliant qualities
The chief event OF his term was the widen
ing of the breach between the two wings
ofthe Republican party which had been
FASTENED by the resignation of Senator
Conkling. President Arthur, though a
Stalwart, refused to turn the principal Of
fees over to that faction, and gradually
alienated their support without at the
same time securing that of the Half Breeds,
as the other wing was called. This led to
his defeat for the nomination in 1854,
though generally backed by the office
holders. Since his retirement from the
Presidency he has taken no active part
in public affairs, his health preventing
and continually growing weaker. He
WAS essentially an executive officer,
better adapted, however, for the role
of political organizer than to gov
ern nation. Yet his administra-
tiOn gave general satisfaction in the south
rs we'll rs the north, because on entering
the White-house he had cast behind parti-
SanShip. He was bon vivant, and this
high living is attributable for his prema
ture death Not Webster or Lincoln
his administration will 20 down in history
us safe, satisfactory, and if not marked
BY notable features, at least OF that COnSer-
vativc character which presents little for
criticism. Personally he was cultured,
skilled in reading his fellOwmen, honest
in his public and private dealings, gener-
ally conscientious, fond of good society,
yet not the less Democratic in his aSSocia-
tiOns prior to entering tine Presidency,
possessed Of fair grasp Of public affairs,
firm in his friendships, sincere and earnest
in his actions Called to the helm of the
ship OfState by great national calamity
he disappointed his enemies and exceeded
the expectations of his friends by cOntinu-
ing the policy of his murdered predecessor
and converting possible crisis into fairly
successful administration.