Sharpe's term having expired he had withdrawn his
application for reappointment.]

Chester A. Arthur had succeeded Thomas Murphy as collector of the port
in November, 1871. He was then forty-seven years old, a lawyer of fair
standing and a citizen of good repute. He had studied under the
tuition of his clergyman father, graduated at Union College, taught
school in his native Vermont, cast a first vote for Winfield Scott,
and joined the Republican party at its organisation. At the outbreak
of the rebellion Governor Morgan appointed him quartermaster-general,
his important duties, limited to the preparation and forwarding of
troops to the seat of war, being performed with great credit. When
Seymour succeeded Morgan in 1863 Arthur resumed his law practice,
securing some years later profitable employment as counsel for the
department of city assessments and taxes.

From the first Arthur showed a liking for public life. He was the
gentleman in politics. The skill of an artist tailor exhibited his
tall, graceful figure at its best, and his shapely hands were
immaculately gloved. His hat advertised the latest fashion just as his
exquisite necktie indicated the proper colour.[1624] He was equally
particular about his conduct. Whatever his environment he observed the
details of court etiquette. His stately elegance of manner easily
unbent without loss of dignity, and although his volatile spirits and
manner of living gave him the appearance of a _bon vivant_, lively and
jocose, with less devotion to work than to society, it was noticeable
that he attracted men of severer mould as easily as those vivacious
and light-hearted associates who called him "Chet." While Fenton,
after Greeley's failure as a leader, was gathering the broken threads
of party management into a compact and aggressive organisation, Arthur
enjoyed the respect and confidence of every local leader, who
appreciated his wise reticence and perennial courtesy, blended with an
ability to control restless and suspicious politicians by timely hints
and judicious suggestions. Indeed, people generally, irrespective of
party, esteemed him highly because of his kindness of heart, his
conciliatory disposition, his lively sense of humour, and his
sympathetic attention to the interests of those about him. He was
neither self-opinionated, argumentative, nor domineering, but tactful,
considerate, and persuasive. There was also freedom from prejudice,
quickness of decision, a