Inauguration of Chester A. Arthur
Encyclopedia
The inauguration of Chester A. Arthur as the 21st President of the United States took place on September 20, 1881. The inauguration marked the commencement of the term of Chester A. Arthur
as President. It was the fourth emergency swearing-in to take place during the 19th century and the first to take place in New York since Washington's
first inauguration in 1789.
, who shouted: "I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts... Arthur is president now!!" Arthur, who knew nothing of this in advance, was mortified.
; the second time was upon his return to Washington two days later with Chief Justice
Morrison R. Waite officiating.
Chester A. Arthur
Chester Alan Arthur was the 21st President of the United States . Becoming President after the assassination of President James A. Garfield, Arthur struggled to overcome suspicions of his beginnings as a politician from the New York City Republican machine, succeeding at that task by embracing...
as President. It was the fourth emergency swearing-in to take place during the 19th century and the first to take place in New York since Washington's
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
first inauguration in 1789.
Garfield murder
On July 2, 1881 President Garfield was shot in the back by Charles J. GuiteauCharles J. Guiteau
Charles Julius Guiteau was an American lawyer who assassinated U.S. President James A. Garfield. He was executed by hanging.- Background :...
, who shouted: "I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts... Arthur is president now!!" Arthur, who knew nothing of this in advance, was mortified.
Eighty day crisis
Arthur was cautious; he knew that there were a great number of people who thought that he had something to do with the attempted murder of the President, and didn't want anything to do with succession until it was actually necessary; in fact, he went into seclusion, largely confining himself to his house in New York City and avoiding public appearances. Thus, for two months and 18 days, the country drifted, leaderless, hanging on every reported detail of Garfield's health without much attention to the business of government. On September 19, 1881, Garfield died and Arthur succeeded to the Presidency.Assumption of office
The inauguration of Arthur took place privately on September 20, 1881. The first time was just past midnight at his Lexington Avenue residence on September 20 by New York Supreme Court justice John R. BradyJohn R. Brady
John R. Brady was an American judge, a Justice of the New York Supreme Court, and best known for administering the presidential oath of office to Chester A. Arthur. Brady was born in New York City, and was a New York Supreme Court Justice from 1873 until his death.-Chester Alan Arthur:President...
; the second time was upon his return to Washington two days later with Chief Justice
Chief Justice of the United States
The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the United States federal court system and the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Chief Justice is one of nine Supreme Court justices; the other eight are the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States...
Morrison R. Waite officiating.