Description:

Arthur Chester

Chester Arthur Signed New York Custom's Document

 

Bi-fold manuscript document signed, on Custom House New York letterhead, 7.75" x 10." Penned to recto of first page, balance of pages blank. Dated "February 9, 1875," and signed by Chester Arthur as "C.A. Arthur." Tiny pale stain, expected folds, else near fine.

 

In 1971 President Ulysses Grant, a Republican, named Chester Arthur the customs collector for the Port of New York. In an era of political machines and the patronage system of political appointments, Republican political boss Roscoe Conkling (1829-1888), a U.S. senator from New York, was instrumental in helping Arthur obtain the important position, which controlled some 1,000 employees. Arthur, in turn, gave government jobs to Conkling’s supporters, who contributed part of their salaries to the Republican Party. He later was removed from the job by President Rutherford Hayes in an attempt to reform the spoils system. Elected to the vice presidency in 1880, Arthur became president after Garfield died following an assassination attempt by a disgruntled job seeker. In a remarkable reversal of character , Chester Arthur, while President, rose above partisanship and in 1883 signed the Pendleton Act, which required government jobs to be distributed based on merit. The act also forbade workers from being fired for political reasons and prohibited compulsory political donations from employees. 

 

 

Chester Arthur (1829-1886), the 21st U.S. president, took office after the death of President James Garfield (1831-1881). As president from 1881 to 1885, Arthur advocated for civil service reform. A Vermont native, he became active in Republican politics in the 1850s as a New York City lawyer. In 1871, an era of political machines and patronage, Arthur was named to the powerful position of customs collector for the Port of New York. He later was removed from the job by President Rutherford Hayes (1822-1893) in an attempt to reform the spoils system. Elected to the vice presidency in 1880, Arthur became president after Garfield died following an assassination attempt by a disgruntled job seeker. While in office, Arthur rose above partisanship and in 1883 signed the Pendleton Act, which required government jobs to be distributed based on merit. Suffering from poor health, he did not run for reelection in 1884.

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