Arthur Administration - Arthur's Advisers

Arthur's Advisers

Chester Arthur inherited the cabinet of James Garfield when he took office and maintained it through December 1881. Many cabinet members eventually resigned, despite Arthur's requests that they continue to serve. Several of those who resigned refused to work with Arthur, who they felt was part of a party machine of which they disapproved. Only Robert Lincoln (son of Abraham Lincoln) remained in the cabinet in his position of secretary of war during the entire Arthur administration.

As Arthur began to distance himself from his former party associates and to support reform measures, he attempted to create new associations with like-minded officials. Unfortunately Arthur was viewed with suspicion by reform politicians due to his past links with the party spoils system, appointing people to positions as political favors rather than based on merit, and he was unable to form new political bonds. Thus Arthur had no...

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