Chapter 2: Finally On His Own
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State Department Offices, May 1885
Fredrick Frelinghuysen looked at the clock. After 10 O'Clock. President Arthur had gone home before 5. Though seeing as he owed the President his job he couldn't complain much. That said he was tired and wanted to go home.
"Just one more meeting" he said to himself.
As if on cue the man he was to meet with walked into the room. He was tall with brown hair and wore a pair of spectacles. He carried himself like a gentleman but had a natural aura of forcefulness. He also seemed quite sad.
"Mr. Roosevelt?" The Secretary asked.
"Yes I am" the man said.
"If I understand it correctly you were formally a Republican Assemblyman from New York?"
"I was"
"And you were quite active in the convention, in favor of Senator Edmunds if I remember correctly?"
"Yes I was, then I was quite active in favor of President Arthur" Roosevelt said.
"Yes, I remember your saying that 'This is an election for President, not Port Collector'."
"Yes that was me."
"Very Good. Now on to the business of the matter. You've gained quite the reputation in New York Mr. Roosevelt. An enterprising reformer whose made an enemy of the machines. Author of a premier book on navel warfare. Avid sportsman. You have a bright future in politics."
"I suppose so."
"Yet the White House has revived numerous telegrams saying that you did not run for reelection to the legislature. The local bosses are fine with that, but the reformers dislike it and want you to stay on." The Secretary of State said.
"I just need to get away from it all." Roosevelt murmured.
"I can certainly understand that, seeing as how the telegrams also said that…" Frelinghuysen looked down at his papers and flinched "Both your wife and mother died on the same day recently."
"That is correct."
"I'm very sorry for your loss, that must be very hard for you."
"It was, thank you."
"However, isn't a little odd that in response to it you…" The Secretary of State still had trouble believing what the papers said "…are planning to go out the the Dakotas, buy a large number of cattle, buy a ranch and essentially become a cowboy?"
"No I don't really think so." Roosevelt had regained a more confident tone of voice.
"It's just that you have such a bright future with the Republican Party, and to throw it all away to go west…"
"I don't think its odd." Roosevelt said forcefully.
"I know from your perspective that it must……"
"IT IS NOT AT ALL ODD! NOW WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHY YOU CALLED ME HERE AT 10 O'CLOCK IN THE EVENING?" Roosevelt yelled as he stood up and pounded his fist in the table.
"Alright! Alright!" The Secretary of State said while scooting back his chair. "In short the Republican Party needs men like you. But we understand your need to get away from it all. You do still want to serve your country correct?"
"Yes" Roosevelt said indignantly but calmly.
"As you know President Arthur and I have been looking to expand our relationships with Latin America. And so we're looking for new men for the diplomatic corps. Young, well educated, enthusiastic and adventurous men who will provide a new face for America abroad."
"I see."
"And you are just that kind of man. Your spirit and tenaciousness would serve the United States well."
"So your proposing I become an ambassador to some small republic in the Jungle?" Roosevelt asked.
"Yes, you'd have lodgings without any logging required. Though your family is wealthy enough to afford more lavish homes if you so desire."
"Hmmm…where would this Ambassadorship be?"
"Well, we have several open positions. Ecuador, El Salvador…Though considering your desire to be a cowboy, Argentina seems right for you, I understand they have quite a lot of cattle."
"Interesting."
"Would you accept?"
"Allow me time to think about it Sir, consult with my sister and such."
"Of course," the Secretary of State said "take all of the time you need."
"Will that be all?"
"Yes I believe so."
"Thank you for your time." Roosevelt said as he got out of his seat and left the room.
•••••
An Aging Grant working on his Memoirs
Chester Arthur's first act upon being inaugurated for a term in his own right was to sign a bill giving the ailing and indebted Former President Grant the pay of an active General. This was a major symbolic move, as he had vetoed a similar bill early in his Presidency.
Then he got straight back to work. He continued to modernize the navy and work to expand American influence in the Western Hemisphere. He kept negotiations up for the rights for the United States to build a Canal through Nicaragua and also signed a treaty that gave American interests an open door into the newly formed Congo Free State. He appealed to veterans as he signed hundreds of private pension bills passed by congress. His crowning achievement in that regard was the passing of a bill that gave pensions to veterans with injuries unrelated to the Civil War.
In 1885 the Readjusters lost control of the Virginia Legislature and seemed on the verge of collapse. On the urging of President Arthur and other northern Republicans the GOP poured funds into the Readjusters as well as ensuring that Readjusters kept their federal appointments. It is through this timely intervention that the Readjusters continued to be a force in Virginia politics. In fact by the 1886 midterms the Virginia Republican Party had ceased to exist as all of the funds were going towards the Readjusters. Across the South the Republicans attempted to set up similar alliances. Sometimes it was with the Greenbacks, or later Populists, and sometimes it was with completely independent groups like the Parti Libéral in Louisiana. The "Grand Old Alliance" Parties were ranged in their views on race, some were relatively progressive while others were just as racist as their democratic opponents. None would achieve the long term success of the Readjusters and none save the Tennessee Populist Party would ever get farther then the state legislature. They would have some long lasting effects however, for example the Parti Libéral is credited with ensuring that French remains an important part of Louisiana culture.
Cartoon lampooning the Tariff issue
Arthur continued the protectionist policies of his previous term and actively opposed bringing down the tariff. Congress was split on the issue and thus the tariff sat where it was, much to the Republican's satisfaction. The issue of the Gold Standard vs Silver Coinage also reared its head during the term as congress debated a bill proposing unlimited coinage of silver. Arthur had never really made a stand on the issue, and Garfield had backed bimetalism. But Arthur was a Stalwart and the Stalwarts were good friends of Big Business and Big Business backed the Gold Standard. So Arthur found himself slipping into to the ranks of the Goldbugs, which had members from both parties. He was not made to make a public defense of it as the unlimited silver bill was defeated. Likewise a bill to stop minting silver was defeated, meaning the status quo remained.
He continued backing westward expansion and opened new lands to settlers, at the expense of Native American tribes. He signed the Dawes Act, which took land away from tribes and gave it to individual Natives. He, along with many others, believed it would help them "assimilate" into while culture. He reluctantly allowed congress to pass more bills attacking the rights of Chinese immigrants, fearing any attempt to stand up to the bills would result in damage to the party.
Arthur remained largely content to let Congress lead to way in terms of policy, much as it had since Andrew Johnson's Presidency. As such the results of the midterms of 1886 were hugely important. Arthur worked hard to support the candidacies of Republicans and GOA members across the nation. He directed fundraising efforts and organized rallies, though he did little in the way of speaking, which was customary at the time. In the end Democrat John G. Carlisle remained Speaker, though only slimiest of margins as the protectionists gained ground. In the Senate the Republicans lost 4, giving them exactly half the seats. However William Mahone, Readjuster from Virginia
1, ensured that GOP leadership were elected, however narrow their control. In short Congress would remain divided as it went into a new session.
One of the first things the new congress did was pass a law creating the Interstate Commerce Commission, meant to regulate railroads and ensure fair shipping rates on company lines. Big Business disliked the idea of government intruding into their affairs and so many feared Arthur would veto the bill. So Congress passed a slightly watered down version which passed easily and was signed by Arthur without batting an eye. The ICC quickly assumed powers more in line with the original bill, something to which Arthur did not respond.
Cartoon Attacking the GOP as corrupt
As his Presidency continued onwards Arthur continued to enforce the Pendleton Civil Service Act while keeping Republican appointees office. Despite the fact that it was now harder for Democrats to use the spoils system some Republicans remained irked at Arthur's efforts for Reform. The reformers on the other hand felt that the President did not go far enough in his changes to the civil service and thought he was still too Stalwart in other areas like railroads. This, and other factors, led to a dramatic shift in internal Republican politics. The Stalwarts and Half-Breeds both balked at the steady stream of reformers who were now joining the party. With Conkling having long ago faded into obscurity and Blaine also loosing much of his former influence the two sides were finding more and more common ground. While they continued to oppose each other and backed different candidates it was no longer impossible for compromise to arise between the two factions and they both could be relied upon to fight reformers. Opposing the Old Guard were the motley group of reformers who had come out of the woodwork. They were led by the likes of John Sherman and they supported more then just reform of the Civil Service. They backed further regulation on political machines as well as large businesses. Some even called for breaking up monopolies. Members of the reform faction of the Republican Party sometimes had connections to movements like women's suffrage and temperance, though this was rare at the time. The division was apparent and many were afraid the Democrats would capitalize on it. So some were already thinking about possible compromises and the name Chester Arthur popped up.
Had he been asked the President would've been appalled. He was tired and ready to return to New York. The Presidency was wearing him down and the Bright's Disease was eating away was eating away at his Kidneys. Initially is had been mild and his trips to Florida and Yellowstone had improved his health. But lavish lifestyle and eating habits were catching up to him. His appetite swung wildly and it was harder and harder for him to eat solid foods. His already short days grew shorter and shorter. In October 1887, just a few days after signing a bill granting federal funding to buy seeds for drought ridden Texas farmers, Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln found the President keeled over in his office. Arthur died the next day in the White House.
•••••
1: He's reelected since Arthur's support means a more stable Readjuster party, though it was a very close call.