Welcome to Part Twenty! It’s time for the legendary schmoozer, the man whose White House was decorated by Tiffany and Co. Let’s dive into the administration of Chester A. Arthur:
Takes office- 19th September 1881
Chester A. Arthur ascended to the presidency on this day, following the tragic assassination of James A. Garfield. Garfield had been in limbo for months and Arthur, knowing how distrusted he was- Guiteau had called out Arthur’s name during the attack-stayed in New York instead of rushing to DC.
Extraordinary inauguration- 20th September 1881
Arthur was inaugurated on this day. He had learned the news from a reporter shortly after midnight, but was unsure as to the truth until a signed telegram arrived. A distraught Arthur called for a judge, as he had been advised to immediately swear the oath. Justice John R. Brady of the New York Supreme Court arrived and administered the oath in the front room of Arthur’s Lexington Avenue home.
Takes a public inaugural oath- 22nd September 1881
As with Calvin Coolidge’s later extraordinary inauguration forty-two years later, there were some concerns about the validity of Arthur’s swearing-in. He thus took a public inaugural oath again on this day. Arthur was sworn in by Chief Justice Morrison Waite in the Vice President’s Room of the Capitol. Observers included living former presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes. Arthur read out an address, beginning it with a tribute to Garfield- ‘For the fourth time in the history of the Republic its Chief Magistrate has been removed by death. All hearts are filled with grief and horror at the hideous crime which has darkened our land, and the memory of the murdered President, his protracted sufferings, his unyielding fortitude, the example and achievements of his life, and the pathos of his death will forever illumine the pages of our history.’ Despite Arthur’s good nature and his genuine sadness regarding Garfield, he remained widely distrusted and blamed for the president’s death.
First State of the Union Address- 6th December 1881
Arthur’s first State of the Union Address was delivered on this day, surely something he could have never imagined would happen. He spoke at length when paying tribute to the late Garfield- ‘The memory of his exalted character, of his noble achievements, and of his patriotic life will be treasured forever as a sacred possession of the whole people.’ Among other issues mentioned in the lengthy address, he discussed the nation’s finances, foreign policy and education.
Takes up residence in the White House- 8th December 1881
Arthur finally took up residence in the White House nearly three months after ascending to the presidency. He’d decided that the residence was run down and had hired Louis Comfort Tiffany to redecorate. Arthur moved in when it was done.
James G. Blaine officially resigns- 19th December 1881
Secretary of State James G. Blaine officially left office on this date. He had announced his resignation back in October, aware that his power would decrease due to Arthur being a Stalwart. Blaine would return to the role under Benjamin Harrison.
Signs act to increase number of congressmen- 25th February 1882
Arthur signed an act that would increase the number of congressmen based on the 1880 census. There would now be 325 representatives, an increase from 293.
Vetoes first Chinese Exclusion Act- 4th April 1882
Arthur vetoes the first Chinese Exclusion Act on this day. The Act would have suspended Chinese immigration for twenty years, something that Arthur felt was too extreme. The veto was sustained and the act was sent back.
Signs the Chinese Exclusion Act after amendments are made- 6th May 1882
Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act after amendments were made. The limit was brought down to ten years, and exempted travellers and diplomats.
Charles Guiteau is executed- 30th June 1882
Charles Guiteau, assassin of James A. Garfield was executed on this day. The shooting of John Wilkes Booth had been private due to the nature of the manhunt, but Guiteau was executed. During the trial, Guiteau had argued that the doctors’ malpractice had technically killed him (not untrue, but not legally sound) and that he’d helped Arthur’s career. Psychiatrists were brought in to examine Guiteau, who was said to have suffered from some insanity but was perfectly aware of what he was doing. This contrasted to Richard Lawrence, the attempted assassin of Andrew Jackson, who was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Guiteau expected to be released, but was instead sentenced to death. He was hanged in front of a crowd at the D.C Jail. Subsequent examinations of Guiteau’s body and brain have indicated that he could have had neurosyphilis or schizophrenia.
Conclusion of the US-Mexico Convention of 1882- 29th July 1882
The US-Mexico Convention of 1882 concluded on this day. The international boundary between the two countries would be moved to the west of the Rio Grande.
Signs the Civil Service Reform Act- 16th January 1883
Arthur made Garfield’s unmet ambitions come through when he signed the Civil Service Reform Act on this day. Also known as the Pendleton Act, it got rid of the spoils based system that had dominated the civil service since its foundation. New hiring practices included merit-based appointments based on exams, no longer forcing employees to donate to political parties, prohibiting firing employees for political reasons and establishing a bipartisan Civil Service Commission. Whilst Arthur was still a Stalwart, he signed the bill in honour of Garfield.
Mexico Treaty of 1883 is signed- 20th January 1883
The Mexico Treaty of 1833 was signed on this day. It was a peace treaty that dealt with commerce and revenue.
United States v. Harris is decided- 22nd January 1883
The Enforcement Act of 1871, signed by President Grant, was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court on this day in United States v. Harris. It stated that the federal government had no authority to penalise crimes and that this was up to the state government. Furthermore, the Fourteenth Amendment applied only to acts of state, not of individuals.
Signs act reducing taxes and tariffs/increases pension benefits- 3rd March 1883
Arthur signed two acts on this day. The first was the Act to Reduce Internal-Revenue Taxation, also known as the Mongrel Tariff Act. The extremely high tariff rates on a variety of products such as cotton and sugar, as well as taxes on tobacco, were lowered. It was a start, but Arthur was critcised for not decreasing them even further. In a separate part, excise taxes on most items were lifted. Arthur also signed an act increasing pension benefits to anyone too disabled to do manual labour. As manual labour was not defined, nor was it based on military service, the demand for pensions skyrocketed.
Attends opening of the Brooklyn Bridge- 24th May 1883
Arthur attended the opening of the new Brooklyn Bridge on this day. Construction had begun in 1870.
Not Guilty for those in the Star Route corruption case- 14th June 1883
Star Routes were private postal routes whose location meant that mail and packages could not be delivered by the Post Office, thus opening it up to private deliveries. These routes became so in-demand that bribes were implemented and revenue split between those who pushed the prices up. An investigation began again under Garfield, and continued under Arthur. Twelve men were found not guilty, a decision that outraged the public.
Reduces Internal Revenue collection districts- 25th June 1883
Internal Revenue collection districts were decreased from 126 to 83. Collectors were appointed at the pleasure of the government, which means that this decision decreased patronage in line with civil service reforms.
Executive Order regarding the Civil Service Reform Act- 5th December 1883
Arthur issued an executive order that added a new condition to the Civil Service Reform Act- applicants had to provide proof of physical and mental capabilities, and age limits were also added.
Signs First Organic Act- 17th May 1884
Arthur signed the First Organic Act on this day. It gave Alaska its first civilian government, though under the lens of federal oversight. The act acknowledged the presence of Natives but did nothing to sort out land issues.
Loses renomination- 6th June 1884
Arthur lost renomination on this day. This is the last time an incumbent has not been renominated by choice. That being said, Arthur was seriously ill and did not push hard for the nomination, aware that he didn’t have long to live. He didn’t even attend the convention. The ultimate nominee was James G. Blaine, with John A. Logan as his running mate.
Conclusion of the US-Mexico Convention of 1884- 12th November 1884
The boundary between the US and Mexico was decided on following the conclusion of this convention. It placed the boundary along the bed of the Rio Colorado.
Washington Monument is dedicated- 21st February 1885
The Washington Monument, a tribute to the first president, was dedicated on this day. Speaking on the monument grounds, Arthur said ‘I do now … in behalf of the people, receive this monument …and declare it dedicated from this time forth to the immortal name and memory of George Washington.’ Work had begun in 1848, was suspended in 1854 before starting again in 1887.
Signs Contract Labor Act- 26th February 1885
In his last week of the presidency, Arthur signed the Contract Labor Act. This prevented foreign workers from being brought in under contract or indentured servitude to perform unskilled labour.
Leaves office- 4th March 1885
Arthur left office on this day, handing the keys over to Grover Cleveland. He headed home to practice law, but by this point, he was dying and he knew it. Chester A. Arthur died on the 18th November 1886 aged fifty-seven, having suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. Arthur lived only one year and 125 days after leaving office, having the second shortest post-presidency (James K. Polk managed 103 days). He had all of his papers burned and is buried in Albany along with his beloved wife, who had predeceased him by six years. Arthur is admired for his civil service reforms and proving himself to be a thoroughly decent man against poor expectations, but was said not to have done much. He is considered average by historians and is actually the least-remembered president according to a 2014 survey (7%- ouch). Still, he had Tiffany design the White House interior so props for that, being the last president not to have a VP and that incredible facial hair.
That’s it for Chester A. Arthur. Tune in next week for Grover Cleveland, in which we’ll see him deal with labour strikes, marrying and non-consecutive terms.
