About the Man
Chester Arthur has relatively been forgotten about. What’s more interesting about his presidency, though, isn’t what he did but what was going on around him at the time.
In the 1880s, the presidency was almost on the verge of uselessness. Nothing showcased that more than the 2 and half months where a dying Garfield held the office, unable to do the job. No one expected anything of the president and maybe that’s why Arthur’s office turned out ok.
The vice presidency was even more unstable. Up until that time the office was an impotent political post that did nothing for the career of its occupant. The vice presidency relied on two unlikely events – the assassination of the president and a tie vote in the Supreme Court. Both so highly unlikely that most presidential hopefuls thought little of who their running mate was, some didn’t even have a VP. Typically the office was given to second rate politicians.
That’s why when a healthy, younger James Garfield took the lead in the presidential race, most thought little of the corruption that surrounded Arthur’s past, for it was highly unlikely that he’d have to do anything in office.
What’s even more ironic, though his presidency produced little, one thing Arthur didn’t do while in office was bring in his corrupt friends. In fact, he handled the job quite admirably considering the fact that no one expected anything.
The quote I chose “Men may die, but the fabric of our free institutions remains unshaken.”
His lack of notable qualities or renowned actions may have been just what the country needed at a time when it was still reeling from civil war and political turmoil.
Arthur only worked 6 hours a day as president. He would start at 10AM and end at 4. He would spend the rest of his nights eating and drinking and carousing with friends. He was known for his ability to hold his liquor and was always the last person to go to bed. Surprisingly, though, he kept these habits mostly private.
At the time, the White House was poorly maintained. Arthur said he would not live in a house like this and he lived elsewhere for 3 months while renovations were done.
