Few presidents have entered the White House under more difficult circumstances or with lower expectations than Chester A. Arthur. Known primarily as a product of New York’s political machine, Arthur was seen by many as a symbol of the very spoils system that led to the assassination of his predecessor, James A. Garfield.
Yet, the man who took the oath of office in September 1881 would surprise his critics and supporters alike. He rose to the occasion, championing landmark civil service reform and overseeing the birth of the modern American navy, leaving behind a legacy far more complex and commendable than anyone could have predicted.
Table of Historical Contents
Let’s explore the presidency of the man who became the “Gentleman Boss” of the White House.
| Key Facts: Chester A. Arthur’s Presidency | |
|---|---|
| Presidential Term | September 20, 1881 – March 4, 1885 |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Vice President | None (Office was vacant) |
| Major Legislative Acts | Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act (1883) |
| Tariff Act of 1883 | |
| Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) | |
| Key Initiatives | Modernization of the U.S. Navy |
From Spoilsman to Statesman: A Presidency of Transformation
Chester A. Arthur’s ascent to the presidency was born from national tragedy. The assassination of James A. Garfield by a disgruntled office-seeker horrified the nation and created an overwhelming demand for an end to the patronage system. As a prominent “Stalwart” Republican and a former Collector of the Port of New York—a key patronage position—Arthur was viewed with deep suspicion. Many believed he would resist any meaningful reform.
However, Arthur understood the gravity of the moment. He distanced himself from his old political allies, including his one-time mentor, Senator Roscoe Conkling. In his first annual message to Congress, Arthur shocked the political establishment by calling for civil service reform. He recognized that the nation demanded it and that the integrity of the government depended on it.
This led to the passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883. This landmark legislation was the cornerstone of Arthur’s presidency and his most enduring legacy. The act established a bipartisan Civil Service Commission and mandated that federal jobs be awarded based on merit through competitive exams rather than political connections. Initially, it covered only about 10% of federal positions, but it gave the president the authority to expand its reach. By signing and faithfully implementing this law, Arthur effectively dismantled the system that had defined his own political career. It was a remarkable act of political courage that prioritized national interest over party loyalty.
Another significant focus of his administration was the modernization of the U.S. Navy. After the Civil War, the once-mighty navy had fallen into a state of disrepair, consisting mostly of outdated wooden ships. Arthur and his Secretary of the Navy, William E. Chandler, argued that a modern, steel-hulled navy was essential for national defense and international prestige. Congress was persuaded, and funds were appropriated for the construction of the first steel vessels—the cruisers Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago, and the dispatch-boat Dolphin. This “ABCD” fleet marked the birth of the modern U.S. Navy and laid the foundation for America’s emergence as a global naval power.
However, not all of Arthur’s policies have been viewed so favorably through the lens of history. He presided over the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. While he vetoed the initial version of the bill, which would have banned Chinese immigration for 20 years, he signed a revised version that imposed a 10-year ban. This act was the first major law restricting immigration in the United States and was a regrettable concession to the widespread anti-immigrant sentiment of the era.
The Arthur Administration: A Cabinet of Duty
Upon taking office, Arthur inherited Garfield’s cabinet. In a show of respect and a desire for stability, he initially asked them all to remain. However, most of the cabinet members, who were politically aligned with Garfield, resigned by the spring of 1882. Arthur then assembled a new team known more for competence and loyalty than for political brilliance.
- Frederick T. Frelinghuysen (Secretary of State): Replacing James G. Blaine, Frelinghuysen was a steady and cautious diplomat. He reversed Blaine’s more interventionist foreign policy in Latin America, opting for a more measured and non-confrontational approach.
- Charles J. Folger (Secretary of the Treasury): A former chief judge from New York, Folger was a trusted ally. He competently managed the nation’s finances, overseeing a significant budget surplus. His tenure was marred only by an unsuccessful and bitter run for Governor of New York, a campaign Arthur had encouraged.
- Robert Todd Lincoln (Secretary of War): The only member of Garfield’s cabinet to serve through Arthur’s entire term, Lincoln provided a crucial element of continuity and public trust. He continued his work of overseeing the army and offered a steady hand in the administration.
- William E. Chandler (Secretary of the Navy): A skilled administrator and lobbyist, Chandler was the driving force behind the naval modernization program. He worked tirelessly to secure congressional funding and oversee the design and construction of the new steel fleet.
- Benjamin H. Brewster (Attorney General): An eccentric but brilliant lawyer, Brewster vigorously prosecuted the Star Route postal frauds, continuing the investigation that Garfield had started. His efforts helped restore public confidence in the integrity of the federal government.
The White House Ghost: First Lady Ellen “Nell” Arthur
When Chester A. Arthur became president, he was a widower. His beloved wife, Ellen “Nell” Lewis Herndon Arthur, had died of pneumonia in January 1880, just before her husband’s unexpected nomination for the vice presidency. Her death devastated Arthur, and he never remarried.
As a result, the White House had no official First Lady during his term. Nell’s presence, however, was deeply felt. Arthur reportedly commissioned a stained-glass window in her memory for St. John’s Episcopal Church, visible from his office, and he would often gaze at it. In the White House, he placed her portrait in the presidential living quarters and ordered that fresh flowers be placed before it daily.
For official social functions, Arthur often called upon his sister, Mary Arthur McElroy, to serve as his hostess. McElroy, the wife of a clergyman, managed the White House with grace and skill, hosting a series of elegant dinners and receptions. However, she never fully occupied the role of First Lady, and the social life of the Arthur White House was noted for being more subdued and formal than that of previous administrations. The memory of Nell Arthur cast a long, melancholic shadow over the Gilded Age elegance that her husband brought to the Executive Mansion.
Assessing the Arthur Legacy
Chester A. Arthur’s presidency was a surprise to everyone. The man who had been the personification of the spoils system became its most consequential reformer. He governed with an unexpected integrity, a sense of duty, and a quiet dignity that earned him the nickname “the Gentleman Boss.” He also possessed a keen eye for style, famously redecorating the White House with lavish furnishings from Tiffany & Co.
His accomplishments were significant. The Pendleton Act was a turning point in American governance, and the naval modernization program was critical to America’s future on the world stage. He governed during a period of prosperity and relative peace, providing a calming influence after the turmoil of Garfield’s assassination.
Yet, he has often been overlooked by history. His quiet, administrative focus lacked the drama of other presidencies. He was not re-nominated by his party in 1884, partly because he had alienated his old Stalwart allies without fully winning over the reformers, and partly because he was secretly suffering from Bright’s disease, a fatal kidney ailment he knew would make a second term impossible. He died less than two years after leaving office.
Ultimately, Chester A. Arthur’s story is one of redemption and quiet competence. He stepped into the nation’s highest office at a moment of crisis and exceeded all expectations, leaving the government more honest and the nation stronger than he found them.
Arthur Presidency Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Was Chester A. Arthur born in the United States?
Yes. During the 1880 election, political opponents claimed Arthur was born in Canada, which would have made him ineligible for the presidency. However, while his family did live in Canada for a time, official records and historical consensus confirm that Chester A. Arthur was born in Fairfield, Vermont, in 1829, making him a natural-born U.S. citizen.
2. Why didn’t Chester A. Arthur run for a second term?
Arthur did not actively campaign for his party’s nomination in 1884 for two main reasons. First, his push for civil service reform had alienated his former Stalwart political base, and he lacked the widespread support within the Republican party needed to secure the nomination. Second, and more privately, he had been diagnosed with Bright’s disease, a fatal kidney condition. Knowing his health was failing, he did not have the energy for a national campaign and was aware that he would likely not survive another term.
3. What was Arthur’s relationship with Roscoe Conkling after becoming president?
After becoming president, Chester A. Arthur deliberately distanced himself from his former political patron, Senator Roscoe Conkling. Conkling expected to wield significant influence over the Arthur administration, but Arthur, understanding the need to appear independent and serve the entire nation, rebuffed Conkling’s attempts to control appointments. This created a permanent break between the two men. Arthur even offered Conkling a seat on the Supreme Court, but Conkling declined, and their once-close relationship was never repaired.
