Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the United States, served from 1881 to 1885 following the assassination of President James A. Garfield. Initially underestimated due to his association with New York’s political machine and the corrupt patronage system, Arthur defied expectations by becoming a reform-minded and effective leader.
His administration is often remembered as a transitional period that laid the groundwork for a modern, merit-based federal government. From championing civil service reform to modernizing the Navy and overseeing key infrastructure developments, Arthur’s accomplishments reflected a dedication to progress, integrity, and national advancement.
Though not as widely recognized as some of his predecessors or successors, Arthur’s presidency played a critical role in shaping America during the post-Reconstruction era and left a lasting impact on the nation’s governance and policies.
Accomplishments of Chester A Arthur
1. Signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act (1883)
Chester A. Arthur’s most significant contribution to U.S. governance was signing the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883.
This law marked a turning point in how federal government jobs were awarded, curbing the corrupt spoils system that had dominated American politics for decades. Under the spoils system, government positions were distributed as political rewards to loyal supporters, often without regard for qualifications.
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The Pendleton Act introduced a merit-based system, requiring applicants to pass competitive exams for federal roles. Additionally, it created the Civil Service Commission, which oversaw hiring and promotions, and offered protections to federal employees against politically motivated dismissals.
Arthur’s support for this legislation was unexpected, given his past ties to the patronage system, but it demonstrated his commitment to honest governance and reform.
2. Upgraded and Modernized the U.S. Navy
During Arthur’s presidency, the U.S. Navy underwent critical modernization, ensuring that America would not fall behind other world powers in maritime defense. At the time Arthur took office, much of the Navy consisted of outdated wooden ships vulnerable to more modern steel-armored fleets developed by Britain and other nations.
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Recognizing the strategic importance of a strong navy, Arthur pushed for investments in new ships made from steel and iron. He authorized the construction of vessels such as the USS Chicago and other modern cruisers, marking the beginning of the shift from wooden sailing ships to steam-powered, steel warships. This effort played a foundational role in America’s rise as a global naval power by the early 20th century.
3. Oversaw Reduction in Tariffs
Arthur’s administration addressed the contentious issue of high tariffs, which had been a major debate in U.S. politics for decades. The Tariff of 1883, also known as the “Mongrel Tariff,” was a compromise between those advocating for tariff reductions and protectionists who sought to maintain high duties to shield American industries from foreign competition.
While the changes were modest, Arthur’s support for the tariff reductions demonstrated his pragmatic approach to economic policy. He sought a balance between protecting U.S. industries and ensuring that tariffs were not so high that they restricted trade or placed undue burdens on consumers. The act was a step toward addressing the long-term concerns over tariff policies that would continue to dominate political discourse.
4. Improved Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Under Arthur’s leadership, immigration policy and customs enforcement were strengthened, particularly regarding Asian immigration. One of the most controversial measures during his presidency was the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882.
This law was the first significant federal restriction on immigration, barring Chinese laborers from entering the United States for ten years and preventing Chinese immigrants already in the country from gaining citizenship. Although Arthur initially had reservations about such restrictive policies, he signed the bill in response to pressure from labor unions and widespread anti-Chinese sentiment in the western states.
His administration also improved customs enforcement to combat smuggling and tariff evasion, ensuring the federal government collected the revenue it relied on during a time when income taxes did not yet exist.
5. Supported Civil Rights (Limited Impact)
Chester A. Arthur’s stance on civil rights was complicated and limited by the political climate of the time, but he did make some efforts to protect African American voting rights. He attempted to maintain federal oversight of elections, particularly in Southern states, where African Americans faced severe voter suppression, intimidation, and violence.
Arthur supported the enforcement of the Reconstruction-era laws that guaranteed African Americans the right to vote and hold office. However, due to strong opposition from Southern politicians and the waning Northern interest in civil rights, these efforts achieved limited success.
The rollback of Reconstruction policies and the rise of Jim Crow laws after Arthur’s presidency significantly curtailed the progress made during his administration.
6. Vetoed the Rivers and Harbors Act (1882)
In 1882, Arthur demonstrated his commitment to fiscal responsibility by vetoing the Rivers and Harbors Act, a bill that allocated federal funds for infrastructure projects such as river improvements, harbors, and canals. Arthur believed that much of the spending in the bill was excessive and intended to benefit local interests rather than serving the nation’s needs.
His veto was a principled stand against “pork-barrel” spending, a practice where politicians direct federal money to projects in their home districts to gain political favor. However, Congress overrode his veto, highlighting the challenges presidents face when opposing entrenched legislative interests.
Despite the veto override, Arthur’s stand against wasteful spending earned him praise from fiscal conservatives and demonstrated his independence from corrupt political practices.
7. Reorganized and Strengthened the Executive Branch
Arthur’s presidency is often remembered for its efforts to bring professionalism and efficiency to the federal government. He focused on removing corruption and ensuring that federal departments operated effectively. Upon taking office, he replaced numerous officials associated with the corrupt practices of his predecessor’s administration.
He supported civil service reforms that reduced the influence of patronage in federal hiring, even before the Pendleton Act was passed. By appointing qualified individuals and fostering a culture of competence, Arthur made strides in creating a more trustworthy and functional executive branch.
His leadership during this period helped restore public confidence in the federal government, which had been shaken by scandals under previous administrations.
8. Improved Native American Relations and Land Policies
Arthur’s administration implemented policies aimed at reorganizing how the federal government managed Native American affairs. One of the key initiatives was supporting the allotment of tribal lands to individual Native American families under the assumption that this would encourage assimilation into mainstream American society.
Although Arthur viewed these efforts as progressive, they had devastating long-term effects on Native American communities, leading to significant land losses and the erosion of tribal culture. His administration also sought to reform the Bureau of Indian Affairs to reduce corruption and improve the distribution of resources to reservations.
While well-intentioned in some respects, these policies reflected the paternalistic and assimilationist attitudes prevalent in U.S. policy at the time.
9. Oversaw the Opening of the Brooklyn Bridge (1883)
One of the most iconic events during Arthur’s presidency was the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883. Although Arthur was not directly involved in its construction, the event was a major milestone for the nation and symbolized America’s industrial progress and engineering prowess.
The bridge, connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn, was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time and an architectural marvel. Arthur attended the opening ceremony and walked across the bridge, underscoring the importance of national infrastructure projects.
The bridge remains a symbol of the technological achievements of the era and the country’s growing urban and industrial development.
10. Advocated for Stronger National Infrastructure
Throughout his presidency, Arthur supported investments in infrastructure projects that would boost economic growth and improve national connectivity. He championed improvements to ports, roads, and railroads, recognizing that transportation networks were essential for expanding commerce and facilitating regional integration.
His administration promoted the development of harbor facilities to accommodate increasing trade and shipping demands, reflecting the nation’s expanding industrial economy.
Arthur’s infrastructure initiatives helped pave the way for the modern transportation system that would fuel America’s rise as a major economic power in the decades following his presidency. His balanced approach to development ensured that public works projects were both practical and beneficial on a national scale.