Comments on: Chester Alan Arthur: The Underrated President With Three First Names

By: Pat Haley

Pat Haley — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:40:01 +0000

I am interested in contacting a descendant of the Chester Arthur family to learn more about the former president. My email address is pathaley@nwi.net. Thank you.

By: Pat Haley

Pat Haley — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:29:07 +0000

I am interested in contacting a descendant of Chester Aurthur to learn more about the life of the former president. I can be reached at pathaley@nwi.net. Thank you.

By: Archie

Archie — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 09:46:00 +0000

Thanks for the kind and informed words for President Chester Alan Arthur.
I would add this information from my research, for what it’s worth, concerning his re-election bid: He asked his cabinet to abstain from campaigning for his nomination. He turned down many offers for financial donations toward his re-election–one individual alone sent Arthur $100,000.00 which was returned with his thanks. Clearly Arthur would not have accepted the nomination, he knew he was dying, but did care deeply about what people thought of him and hoped he’d get substantial nomination votes, at least in the first round, as a way of people saying “thanks, job well done.”
He was an honest and sensitive man that felt hurt from each unkind twisted politically-motivated article and cartoon. He didn’t want to be president but stepped up to the job.
He was an abolitionist. Yes, he defended Elizabeth Jennings Graham and helped desegregate New York street cars. He won in the Lemmon case which freed eight slaves being transported through New York—a case that held up but was appealed and headed for the Supreme Court when the Civil War began.
As president, his State of the Union address plead for funds to protect and educate the Native Americans; to end polygamy in the Utah territories; to support civil reform; to strengthen the Navy; to improve trade intercourse with other nations.
He did not want the Chinese Exclusion Act at all and fought against it. Politics as they are sometimes require compromises and he eventually signed the bill but was successful in getting the time reduced from twenty to ten years. He may well have been the most honest U.S president to date.

By: Leslie A

Leslie A — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:11:00 +0000

I came upon this article while trying to determine whether there is a Chet Arthur presidential library. Anyone know if there is, beyond the Library of Congress holdings? Very witty. By the way, I am a descendant of Arthur, he was my several generations past Great Uncle, and the family continues to encourage dandies.

By: David H.

David H. — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:45:59 +0000

This must be from your PhD. thesis, Thomas. It’s so erudite I’m short of breath. His lapels (see dapper photo) are in themselves grist for a monogram… er… monograph.

By: Witty Nickname

Witty Nickname — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 22:17:22 +0000

Some would say Guiteau did not kill Garfield. He merely shot him. Garfield was killed by an infection due to doctors continuously probing for the bullet with their bare UNWASHED hands.

Knowledge of germs was just catching on at the time, but the doctors brought in to treat the President should have known better.

Excellent book recommendation: “Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of James A. Garfield” – not sure if it is in print – check your local library.

By: sarah b.

sarah b. — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 14:36:25 +0000

I’m with Jeff. Billy, what are you trying to say? The author says Guiteau killed Garfield:

Garfield’s first months in office turned out to be his only months in office. On July 2, 1881, only four months after beginning his term, he was shot by the most famous disgruntled office-seeker in American history, Charles J. Guiteau. Garfield died 10 weeks later, and Arthur was sworn in as president on September 20, 1881. He was 51 years old.

By: jeff

jeff — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 14:31:45 +0000

Billy: What are you talking about?

By: Billy

Billy — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 14:23:47 +0000

Check your facts. Guiteau shot (and killed) Garfield. Was Arther even shot?

By: amy

amy — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 13:37:34 +0000

Any true Die Hard is well aware that Chester A Arthur was the 21st president. Thats how McClane fines out what NY school has a bomb planted in it.