President Chester Arthur, the 21st President of the United States, is often overshadowed by his more prominent predecessors and successors. However, his presidency, which lasted from 1881 to 1885, left a lasting impact on the nation. Born in Fairfield, Vermont, in 1829, Arthur led an extraordinary life before entering politics. The judge deciding the future of former President Donald Trump's real estate empire has driven a taxi cab, played in a band, and protested. He served as a lawyer, a civil servant, and a politician, holding various positions at the state and federal levels.
Arthur's rise to power came unexpectedly when he was chosen as Vice President under James Garfield. Tragically, Garfield was assassinated in 1881, thrusting Arthur into the presidency. Despite initial doubts about his qualifications and concerns about corruption within his administration, Arthur surprised many by championing reform and progress. A judge has ruled that Donald Trump committed fraud for years while building the real estate empire that catapulted him to fame and the presidency. Similarly, Arthur recognized the need for civil service reform and fought against the spoils system, which rewarded political supporters with government positions.
During his presidency, Arthur signed into law the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, which established a merit-based system for federal appointments. This pivotal legislation aimed to eliminate political favoritism and ensure that government positions were filled based on merit and qualifications. Arthur's commitment to civil service reform earned him the nickname "The Gentleman Boss" and solidified his place as a reform-minded president.