iqsafe.info – Chester A. Arthur, the 21st president of the United States, is often remembered as an enigmatic figure in American political history. His presidency, which lasted from 1881 to 1885, has often been overshadowed by his rise to power, his unexpected transformation from a product of political patronage to a proponent of civil service reform, and the relatively brief duration of his time in office. Yet, Arthur’s journey from a New York political boss to the White House is an essential chapter in the history of the Gilded Age, offering a fascinating look into the intersection of politics, power, and reform in late 19th-century America.
From his early career as a key figure in New York’s political machine to his presidency, Arthur’s political trajectory was shaped by both ambition and circumstance. Known for his connections to the powerful Republican boss Roscoe Conkling and his leadership of the Stalwart faction, Arthur’s path to the presidency seemed all but certain to follow the corrupt political practices of the era. However, his tenure as president would prove to be much more complex, marked by his surprising departure from his early associations with patronage and his eventual embrace of civil service reform.
This article explores how Chester A. Arthur’s rise from political boss to president is not just a story of ambition but also one of political transformation, showcasing his contributions to American governance, his surprising reform efforts, and the legacy he left behind.
Early Life and Career: From the Backwoods to New York City
Humble Beginnings and Education
Born on October 5, 1829, in Fairfield, Vermont, Chester Alan Arthur was the son of William Arthur, a Baptist minister, and Malvina Stone Arthur. His family moved several times during his youth, and although they were not wealthy, they valued education highly. Arthur excelled academically, and after completing his education in local schools, he attended Union College in Schenectady, New York. It was at Union College that Arthur’s ambition began to take shape.
He graduated in 1848, near the top of his class, and entered the legal profession. After briefly working in Vermont, he moved to New York City, where he established a law practice. By the late 1850s, Arthur had become a successful lawyer, known for his sharp legal mind and ability to navigate the complexities of law. However, his political ambitions would soon lead him down a different path.
Political Connections and Rise to Power
In the 1850s and 1860s, New York politics was dominated by powerful political machines, particularly those led by men like William “Boss” Tweed and Roscoe Conkling. These political machines wielded significant power in the state, controlling everything from elections to government appointments. Although not initially a product of the machine, Arthur’s career would soon become entwined with the Stalwarts, the faction of the Republican Party that was closely aligned with patronage politics and the spoils system.
Arthur’s rise in politics began in the late 1860s when he became involved in the political patronage system in New York City. His legal background and connections with political figures soon led to his appointment as the Collector of the Port of New York, a highly influential position within the city’s political machine. Under the patronage system, individuals in positions like this had control over lucrative government jobs, which could be distributed to loyal political supporters. Arthur, though known for his competence, was also linked to corruption within the system, a relationship that would define his early career.
As the Collector of the Port of New York, Arthur helped build the political machine controlled by Roscoe Conkling, the powerful Republican senator who dominated New York politics at the time. Arthur became a loyal ally to Conkling, and his position as head of the port allowed him to reward political supporters with government positions, which cemented his place as a key figure in the New York political machine.
Arthur’s Path to the Vice Presidency
The Republican National Convention of 1880
By 1880, Chester A. Arthur’s political star was on the rise, but few people anticipated that he would ascend to the White House. In the Republican National Convention that year, there was significant division between two factions of the party—the Stalwarts, led by Conkling, and the Half-Breeds, a more moderate faction of Republicans. The convention deadlocked, and no candidate emerged as a clear victor. In a surprising turn of events, Arthur was chosen as the vice-presidential candidate to balance the ticket with the more moderate candidate, James A. Garfield, who had emerged as the presidential nominee.
Arthur’s selection as vice president was largely a result of political maneuvering by Conkling, who believed that Arthur’s loyalty to the Stalwarts would solidify their faction’s influence. Garfield, on the other hand, was seen as a compromise candidate who could bridge the divide between the Stalwarts and the more moderate Republicans. However, the decision to place Arthur on the ticket was viewed by many as an effort to placate the Stalwarts and secure their votes in the election.
Although Arthur was not expected to play a significant role in Garfield’s administration, fate had other plans.
Garfield’s Assassination
In July 1881, just months after taking office, President James A. Garfield was shot by an assassin named Charles Guiteau. Garfield succumbed to his wounds in September of the same year, and Arthur, as vice president, assumed the presidency. His unexpected rise to the highest office in the land surprised many, particularly those who viewed him as little more than a product of the political machine. Given his past connections to corruption and the spoils system, Arthur’s ascension was met with skepticism. Critics feared that his presidency would merely continue the political patronage practices of his predecessors, particularly Conkling’s Stalwarts.
However, what followed was far more complicated than anyone could have predicted.
Arthur’s Presidency: A Surprising Transformation
A New Political Philosophy
Chester A. Arthur’s presidency marked a surprising shift in his political beliefs and actions. Upon taking office, he initially appeared to continue the policies of the Stalwart faction, maintaining many of the traditional patronage practices that had defined his career. However, it soon became clear that Arthur was far more politically astute than many had given him credit for. He was keenly aware of the growing public outcry against the corruption of the spoils system, and he understood the need to address the demands for reform.
One of Arthur’s most significant actions as president was his embrace of civil service reform, a move that would surprise both his supporters and detractors. During his time as vice president, Arthur had been a staunch defender of the patronage system, but his attitude began to change as he assumed office. Recognizing the importance of reforming government practices to increase efficiency and eliminate corruption, Arthur threw his support behind the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act.
The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883
The Pendleton Act, signed into law by Arthur in 1883, was one of the most significant pieces of legislation in the history of the U.S. federal government. The law created the Civil Service Commission, which oversaw the implementation of a merit-based system for hiring federal employees. Under the new system, government jobs would no longer be awarded based on political loyalty but rather on qualifications and examination results. This landmark reform represented a break from the political patronage system that had long dominated American politics.
Arthur’s support for the Pendleton Act marked a dramatic departure from his earlier career as a political boss and reinforced his image as a president who was willing to challenge the entrenched political system in the name of good governance. The passage of the Pendleton Act is often viewed as the defining achievement of Arthur’s presidency and is considered one of the most important steps toward professionalizing the federal bureaucracy.
Other Notable Achievements
Beyond civil service reform, Arthur’s presidency saw several other key accomplishments that contributed to the modernization of the United States. One of the most significant of these was the modernization of the U.S. Navy. Arthur recognized the growing importance of naval power for projecting American influence abroad and protecting national interests. Under his leadership, the U.S. began to invest in new technologies, including steel-hulled ships, which laid the foundation for the expansion of the Navy in the coming decades.
Arthur’s administration also oversaw the passage of important tariff reforms, the completion of the first transcontinental railroad, and improvements in the U.S. infrastructure. Despite the challenges he faced in office, Arthur’s leadership helped stabilize the government and set the stage for the changes that would occur in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Legacy and Reputation: A Political Boss Who Became a Reformer
Chester A. Arthur’s legacy is one of surprising transformation. Though he began his political career as a product of the patronage-driven political machine of New York, he ultimately became a champion of reform. His embrace of civil service reform, his efforts to modernize the U.S. military, and his focus on improving the efficiency of government laid the groundwork for the future development of the U.S. federal system.
In recent years, historians have reassessed Arthur’s presidency, recognizing him as a man who rose above the expectations of his political background. While he may never have been the most charismatic or high-profile president, his pragmatic approach to governance and his willingness to break from his past associations have earned him a more favorable position in the annals of American history. Today, Arthur is remembered not just as a political boss turned president but as a man who, against all odds, worked to reshape the U.S. government for the better.
Conclusion: Chester A. Arthur’s Unlikely Presidency
Chester A. Arthur’s journey from political boss to president is a testament to the complexities of American politics in the Gilded Age. His rise from New York’s political machine to the presidency seemed improbable, and his early career was steeped in the very corruption he would later work to eradicate. However, Arthur’s unexpected embrace of reform, particularly in the form of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, reshaped his legacy and earned him a place in the history of American governance.
Arthur’s presidency serves as a reminder that even those who begin their careers in the most corrupt systems can change, adapt, and leave behind a legacy that reflects progress and reform. His transformation from New York’s political boss to a reform-minded president marks one of the most remarkable political evolutions in American history, and his contributions to the development of the U.S. government continue to be felt today.