PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

259

 

the years in which he was receiving his
education he taught school, and after fin-
ishing his college course took up the study
of law.

Later in life he moved to New York,
and in time married Miss Ella L. Hern-
don, in 1853. It is said that Mrs. Arthur
was one of the most excellent of all Amer-
ican women. She died, January 12, 1880.
During Arthur’s administration as Presi-
dent, his sister, Mrs. McElroy, acted as
At the

time of his election as Vice-President of

mistress of the White House.

the United States, Arthur was not widely
known outside of his own State, but was
made candidate solely to retain the favor of
a large portion of the Republicans of New
York. He was considered a great politi-
cal manager, yet knew very little how the
Government was conducted. At the time
of the assassination of President Garfield
he was placed in an exceedingly delicate
position, and fears were expressed by
many people lest Arthur would not be
equal to the emergency, but he managed
the Government with a dignity and tact

 

that astonished all who knew him, and be-
fore he retired from the Presidential chair
he had gained the respect of the entire
country. It was during his term of office
that Congress passed the Civil Service
Act, providing for the appointment of sub-

ordinate employes of the Government on

 

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
1830-1886. Part of One Term, 1881-1885.

the basis of merit, ~ather than political in-
fluence.

Upon his retirement from office he again
took up the practice of law in New York,
but died shortly after the close of his

term

GROVER CLEVELAND.

TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

ROVER CLEVELAND was a na-
(Ss of New Jersey, but early in
life moved to New York and

became a citizen of Buffalo. He began the

study of law at the age of eighteen, and

connected himself with a popular law firm
in that city.

He became interested in politics early in
life, and held local offices. In 1882 he

was elected Governor of the State of New