The Private Chester Alan Arthur

Most of our Presidents were unquestionably ambitious for the office. Some more than others. But Chester Alan Arthur (1829-86), Vermont-born and upstate New York raised, was never interested in elected office.

His ambitions lay in getting a good education, which he did at Union College, and being actively engaged in a thriving law practice. Which he also did. After reading law, he moved to Manhattan, where he made his home. CAA loved The Big Apple, which in turn seemed to return the love. The rural fellow developed a cosmopolitan style and sophisticated taste that would have been unheard of in rural upstate.

His acquired poise and natural good looks (he was quite the dude) won the heart of Ellen Herndon, a Virginia belle, whose father was a prominent naval commander. In 1856, they married, but the issues-cum-violence of the pre-Civil War made practically everything political across the country.

The Mentors

When CAA moved to NYC, he quickly found opportunities to grow as an attorney. He had a commanding presence, was a fair speaker, and his Phi Beta Kappa membership all helped. But most of all, he displayed uncommon diligence and attention to details. 

His first opportunity came as a young member of the Erastus D. Culver law firm, and in a relatively short time, was made a partner. The cases were varied, and afforded Arthur the balance of both business and social issues, including important decisions regarding the rights of Negroes and former slaves. It drew the attention of Edwin Morgan, New York’s Republican Governor. He was favorably impressed with the young attorney and kept a close eye on his career.

As the Civil War became reality, President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteer troops. New York, as the most populous state, was naturally expected to contribute heavily to that number, which it did. Since these volunteer soldiers needed to be housed, clothed, supplied, fed, transported and a litany of other essentials, someone had to manage the details of those actions. When Gov. Morgan offered Chet Arthur the position as Quartermaster General of New York, it was ideal. He provided an essential service “in uniform” – but as a non-combatant. He would not have to potentially face his in-laws on the battlefield.

His integrity and diligence were apparent to others, and Arthur became acquainted with the man who would become his most important mentor: Congressman (and later Senator) Roscoe Conkling, a man his own age, who was quickly becoming the powerful political “boss” of New York’s Republican Party patronage largesse. CAA was, of course, a Republican, but while he enjoyed the mechanics of politics, he had no interest in elective office. Appointed office was different.

Twice Tainted

Politics is a social camaraderie as well as a political one. The affable Chet made friends easily enough, and as a well-paid attorney-on-the-rise, duly participated in the various Delmonico dinners and luncheons and meetings and fund-raising events the GOP was hosting, especially once the Civil War ended – and money was to be made by the wagonloads! He got to know everyone throughout the state and was considered one of the GOP’s most effective administrators. 

Lucrative opportunities and political appointments were forthcoming, including the Collector of New York’s Port Authority in the 1870s. The collector was earning as much as $50,000/year, due to the perks and percentages of the office. 

But while there was never indication or proof that CAA committed any wrongdoing, huge corruption (bribes, kickbacks, no-show jobs, etc.) at the Port took place on his watch. In 1877, President Rutherford B. Hayes summarily dismissed him. His head was on the block and his reputation was tainted.

But in a fluke of fate, political machinations and party infighting, CAA became the Vice Presidential nominee in 1880. In a squeaker of an election, James Garfield and Chet Arthur won.

Only four months into his Presidency, James Garfield was assassinated, and died from his wounds ten weeks later. Charles Guiteau, the certifiable lunatic assassin, declared for all to hear, that he was the Stalwart of the Stalwarts, “and now Arthur will be president.” Once again, with no evidence of wrongdoing, CAA was again tainted and suspect. His spurious “associations” with corruption would linger long.

Bright’s Disease

Few people today, other than medical professionals, are familiar with Bright’s Disease, first described by Dr. Richard Bright in the 1830s. It was an eponymous umbrella-term for various kidney ailments, then always fatal. Even today, the now-isolated elements of Bright’s Disease are serious and require regular care. But they are treatable!

Chester Alan Arthur wasn’t diagnosed with the condition until 1882 – after he became President following the assassination of James Garfield. The likelihood that the disease had been incubating internally is not farfetched. There are indications that its symptoms (similar) may have been misdiagnosed as malaria.

Within a short time however, symptoms of his disease had manifested: sluggishness, lethargy, and general malaise. His periodic fishing trips provided some respite from the cares of state – and its terminal prognosis. Of course, since his accession to the Presidency was so horribly traumatic to the country, Arthur wanted to keep his health condition secret. If he died in office, it would creat a constitutional crisis. There was no vice president! He was also extremely private by nature. None of his friends or family were aware of his underlying illness.

He went through all the appropriate motions and ceremonies, and actually performed some notable services to the country, albeit alienating many of his former political bedfellows. Despite his health, he had hoped to receive the nomination for reelection in 1884, but it was not to be. He would not have survived anyway. Chet Arthur died in 1886, only weeks after his 57^th birthday.

Sources:

Barzman, Sol – Madmen & Geniuses: The Vice-Presidents of the United States – Follett Publishing, 1974

Greenberger, Scott S. – The Unexpected President: The Life and Times of Chester Alan Arthur, De Capo Press, 2017

https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/a-birthday-look-at-chester-alan-arthur-a-forgotten-president

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5736392/#:~:text=Arthur

https://lib.arizona.edu/hsl/materials/collections/secret-illness/arthur