President: Chester Alan Arthur (October 5, 1829 - November 18, 1886) Term: September 19, 1881 - March 4, 1885 Background: Arthur was the son of an Irish Baptist fervent abol
…itionist preacher William Arthur and Malvina Stone Arthur. They moved from many Baptist parishes within New York and Vermont. He attended prep school at the academy in Union Village, and then attended Lyceum. While attending Lyceum, Arthur supported the Whigs and believed in Henry Clay's plans. In 1845, he attended Union College to study traditional classics. He then received his Master's degree in 1851. After he was principal of North Pownal Academy, he began to study law and was admitted to the bar in 1854. Arthur also served in the Civil War for the Union, becoming the rank of Brigadier General. Later on, he came to side with the Stalwarts in the Republican Party, and believed in the spoils system. In 1881, Arthur became the 20th Vice President of the United States and was in office from March 4, 1881 to September 19, 1881, later becoming president. Political Party: Republican Vice-President: None Major Domestic Policy: Arthur was a strong supporter of the Spoils System up until the assassination of President Garfield. His murder was a result of the Spoils System, causing Arthur to change his views from stalwart to a half-breed. He then passed the Pendleton Act, making it so that Federal Officers will not be obliged to donate money into campaign funds. This act created a merit system for the choosing of public employees, and controlled about 15,000 jobs. Garfield aimed towards lowering tariff rates; hence he signed the Tariff of 1883 on March 3rd, 1883. The Act reduced high tariff rates slightly. Arthur then appointed a commission on May 1882 in order to recommend how the tariff rate should be reduced. The commission was in favor for extensive reductions. Some tariffs were reduced by 1.47%, while others were up to 35-40%. Arthur did want tariff reductions, but he did not want it to be drastic. He then noticed that the Tariff of 1883 was ineffective, therefore he requested United States Secretary of State Frederick Theodore Frelinghuysen to create reciprocal trade agreements with other countries, especially with the countries that traded the raw materials that were drastically needed. Also occurring during Arthur's Presidency was the fact that Civil service reforms came about in 1883 as people were fighting for their rights. Major Foreign Policy: Arthur knew that the United States Navy was in major need of expansion. If the United States was going to gain power, he knew that our Navy's strength would have to be increased. As a result of the battle of Monitor v. Merrimack during the Civil War, Arthur knew that steel ships or ironclads conclude the winner, causing him to draft a bill in 1882 and send it to Congress to begin the construction of mass amounts of steel ships. As Chinese Immigrants were getting discriminated against, the United States had to find a solution to the problem since there was such a large number of them immigrating into the United States. Hence, the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in 1882. The Act did not allow, "skilled and unskilled laborers and Chinese employed in mining" to immigrant into the United States for up to ten years. Also happening during Arthur's Presidency was Navy getting built up, and the creation of steel ships is increasing since they were very useful and successful during the Civil War. Court Case during his term: • The Civil Rights Cases (1882)-Held that the 14th Amendment inhibits only states actions, and states actions are applied only in The Equal Protection Clause and not private business. • United States v. Harris (1882)-State government has the power to discipline crimes such as murder and assault. • Brown v. Houston (1883)-Found that Louisiana did not violate the constitution by imposing in interest commerce. • Hurtado v. California (1883)-Held that the words within the 14th Amendment "due process of law" does not require prosecution from the jury by a State for murder. Intellectual and Social Developments during his term: • Gustavus Swift pioneers vertically integrated firm came about as a majority of production is being produced with machines. • Electricity is being used to light up cities, bringing life to them. • Ethnocultural problems being to rise and dominate state and local politics. • Electric Christmas lights were invented by Edward H. Johnson in 1882 and were first used on his Christmas tree on December 22, 1882 at his home on Fifth Avenue in New York. Arthur's Legacy: Chester Alan Arthur will always be remembered for changing defying his stereotype of a machine politician and also for supporting the Spoils System, which caused corruption, and then eventually changed his views. He worked well in office and showed much flexibility when dealing with different views. He will also be remembered for his strong support in the navy and army. (MORE) 
