Research topic: Chester Alan Arthur

Chester Alan Arthur 1829-86, 21st President of the United States (1881-85), b. Fairfield, Vt. He studied law and before the Civil War practiced in New York City. In the war he was (1861-63) quartermaster general of New York State. In 1871, President Grant appointed him collector of the port of New York. Although Arthur was a loyal party man and a believer in the spoils system, he administered this office honestly and efficiently. President Hayes, bent on civil service reform, displaced Arthur in 1878, thus defying Senator Conkling and the New York Republican machine. At the Republican national... Read more