Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-11-18
CHESTER ALAN ARTHUR.
Sketch Of the Career Of the Dead
eX.Presidenf.

cXsRTeS1Oeuts
Ex-President Chester Alan Arthur, whose
death Is announced In the kilograms to to-days
STAR, was fifty-six years old. He was born In
Fairfield, Franklin county, VT, on the 9Th OF
October, 1880, being the eldest of the family of
two sons and three daughters born TO the Rev.
William Arthur, Baptist clergyman, who
came to this country from Antrim, in the
north of Ireland. at the age of eighteen, and
died at Newtonville, near Albany. October p,
1870. DIR. Arthur was in many respects re-
markable man. He acquired extended fame,
not only in his calling, but also in the domains
of authorship. His work on Family Names is
highly priced by genealogists. From 1856 to
church Of New York. He also filed the pull
Plts P OF baptist churches at Bennington, Hines,
T31rg, T, Fairfield and Wiilston in Vermont and
singburg, Hoosic West Troy and Newtonville,
in this state His other son made gallant
paymaster of the regular army, with the rank
OF major.
When a lad young Chester Arthur enjoyed
thorough knowledge of the classics enabled
him TO lay broad and deep foundation for his
sons sons future education. After the customary
New Engan schooling, Chester Arthur en-
tered U Un1on college at Schenectady in 1S45,
being graduate in his class after a four years
teaching Alter teaching school for two years
In his native state, being part of the time prn-
cipal or the North Pownal academy, having
saved capital OF some S4OO or $500, Mr..
Arthur set out for New York, intending to prac-
ttce the law which he had studied.
HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER IN NEW YORK.
While engaged in teaching at New York he
continued his law studies in the Office OF ex-
Judge E. D. Culver, and then formed a partner
ship with his friend Henry d. Gardiner, with
whom he meditated settling in the west but
after searching about for some time they
turned to the metropolis and entered upon a
successful nrartiCa l. Dn06 fortune
the two young advOca tes to be. at an early stage
ofjheir career, associated in the conduct Of two
Juliet Lennon, Virginian shareholders, intend
Ing to emigrate to Texas. came to New York to
await the sailing OF a steamer, bringing eight
slaves with them. 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 this state. Judge
Paine rendered decision holding that
they were not. and ordering, the Lennon
slaves to be liberated. Henry L. Clinton Was
"udge Paine's decision NJ was received with
great disfavor in the south, and The Virginia
legislature authorized the attorney general of
that state 10 assist in taking an appeal. VIM.
Nj. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were
employed to represent the people, and they
won their case, which then went TO the
OConor here espoused the cause OF the slave
holders, but lie, TOO, was beaten by Messrs.
looked upon by the abolitionists of that period
as a long step toward the emancipation of the
blacks. MIR. Arthur was engaged in case Oh
similar character in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, Il
colored woman, was put off a 4th avenue car,
New York, With violence, alter she Lad paid
her fare. Gen. Arthur sued Oh her behalf, and
secured a verdict OF 5000 damages. The next
day the company issued an order to permit
coiored pc rsOns to ride on their cars, and the
example. Before that the 9Th avenue COM
pany ran lew special cars for cOlored persons,
and the other lines refused to let them ride at
all
HIS POLITICAL, AND WAR RECORD.
MIR. Arthur began to take interest in political
affairs very early in life He Was a delegate to
the Saratoga convention that founded the re-
publican party in New York state, and previous
TO the outbreak OF the war was judge advocate
OF the second division OF the state militia.
Gov. Edwin D. Morgan, soon after his inaugC-
ration, selected hlm 10 ti!i the position OF engi.
neer-in-chiei of his stah. In 1861 he held
the post OF inspector general, aud soon after
Ward was advanced to that OF quartermaster
general, which he held until the expiration Of
GOV. Morgan's term of office. Although the
war account OF New York state involved mil
lions Of dollars the funds had been ais
bursed with such scrupulous fidelity by
Gen. Arthur that 1t the first OF
federal go .ernment. 1t is said that during
his term OF office Quartermaster general OF
the state many attempts We're made to secure
bis favor by Offering him tempting presents.
Among others, u prominent clothing house
offered him magnificent ulIfOrm, ana a print
Ing house sent him costly saddle and trap
.ASSAA
When Mr.. Arthur became quartermaster gene
raj he was poor. When hls term expired he
was poorer slill, though he mad opportunities 10
make millions unqueStiOned.
AFTER THE WAR.
At the expiration of Gov. Morgan's term Gen.
Arthur returned to his law pra ctice. Business
OF most lucrative character poured in upon
him, and the firm Of Arthur & Gardiner pros
pered. Much of their work consisted in the
collection OF war claims and the drafting OF i'm
portant bills for speedy legislation, and a great
deal Of Gen. Arthur's time was spent in Albany
and Washington, where his uniform success
won for him q national reputation. For a short
me aed ne oe ,a asia 1ne position OF eontsei to the
al S1o,OOO per annuIn. Gradually he was
drawn into the arena of politics. He nomi-
mated, and by his efforts elected, the Hon. Thos.
Murphy q state senator When the latter re-
signed the New York coliectorship, November
2Oth, 1871. President Grant nominated Gen.
Arthur To the vacant position, and tour years
later, when his term expired, renominated him,
an honor that had never been shown to any
prevses se m In the history Of the port
18th, 1873, despite the fact that two special
committees made searching investigation into
his administration, and both reported them.
selves unable 10 find anything upon which to
base a charge against him. In their pronuncia.
mentos announcing the change, both President
Hayes and Secretary Sherman bore official
witness to the purity of his acts while in office
After his removal, Mr.. Arthur returned to the
practice OF his profession and the discharge OF
his duties as chairman of the republican central
committee Of New York state. In the campaign
OF 1879 which resulted in the election OF GOV.
Cornell (who had also been suspended by Presi-
dent Hayes in 1879, Gen. Arthur took an &C
tive part, and ne was an energetic worker at
Chicago In 1880 to bring about the nomination
Of Gen. Grant.
NOMINATED FOR THE VICE PRESIDENCY.
Upon the selection of Gen. Garfield, Mr..
Arthur was nominated by acclamation for the
Vice Presidency, with view to conciliating
the stalwaIt element especially in his state,
and to his labors were largely due the ultimate
election of the national republican ticket. He
presided with dignity and impartiality over
the proceeding OF the Senate and its extra ses-
the New York offices between President Gar
field and Senator COnkiing, Mr.. Arthur took no
share, but after the resignation of Messrs. Conk.
ling ana Plat, he Went to Albany and lend his
active support to the movement for their re-
election. Upon the death of President Garfield,
Vice President Arthur was sworn in as his sue.
cessor by one OF the judges of the New York
supreme court, The ceremony taking place at
his residence in the metropolis at o. clock a. m.
OF the 10Th day OF September, 1881. After ac-
Wash1ngton, Mr.. Arthur, on the 22d, again took
the oath OF office, in q more formal fashion. be.
lore the chief justice of the Supreme Court of the
nlted States, delivering at the same time a
br1el address expressing his sense OF the great
responsibilities devOlved upon him by the act
OF the assassin.
IN THE WHITE HOUSE
Gen. Arthur as President occupied the White
House from September, 1881, until he surren-
dereo II 10 his successor, President Cleveland,
March q, 1885. Whatever opinions may be
held as to his political judgment or administra.
tive force, 1t Is very generally conceded that