Chester Alan Arthur

Birth-Death: (1830 - 1886 ) Term: (1881-1885 )

Near the end of President Chester's administration, the rail and steel industries were booming. Major railroads were completed, reaching the Pacific Coast, and increasing the rate of westward expansion. The first general Federal immigration law was passed, and in 1882, paupers, criminals, and lunatics were no longer allowed to immigrate into the United States. The Chinese Exclusion Bill was passed by Congress in 1882.

Major Events with Chester Arthur

1882 - Steel Navy Started

    After the battle of Monitor v. Merrimack during the Civil War, it had become obvious that steel ships would determine the winner in battles. Chester Arthur pushed a bill through Congress beginning the construction of many steel ships.

1883 - Pendelton Act

    After Arthur took office he began to advocate reform of the fifty-year-old spoils system. For years the Civil Service Reform League had pushed for a merit system, however it took the death of Garfield to push the bill through Congress. As a result, competitive examinations were given to determine which candidates received which governmnet positions. Furthermore, the law provided that Federal Officers cannot be forced to donate money into campaign funds. Altogether the Act covered about 15,000 jobs, or about 12 percent of all governmental employess.