James A. Garfield
“The Martyr President”
Chester A. Arthur
&
The Pendleton Act of 1883
Chester A. Arthur:
• “Gentleman Boss”
• “Not a man who would have entered
anyone’s mind” as a worthy candidate
for anything.
• Patronage boss, U.S. Customs House.
• Opposed public works and postal
fraud in office.
• Pendleton Act of 1883: Civil Service.
• Denied renomination by his own party.
• Publisher Alexander K. McClure wrote:
"No man ever entered the Presidency so
profoundly and widely distrusted, and no
one ever retired ... more generally
respected."
Alternative Explanations:
!
• Inefficiency
!
• Corruption
!
• Politics