Became a lawyer joining the firm of his friend of his fathers, staunch abolitionist. Arthur won the case that desegregated number city street cars. During the civil war, when many were enrhythming. Thises on government contracts he was an honest and efficient quartermaster for the union army, but in years following the would his quest for wealth led him down a darker road. He became a top lieutenant to the allpowerful boss of the new york republican machine. At conklins urging, in 1872 he was appoint collector over thank you new york custom house, the largest single federal office in the nation and a fount of job and fairs that was rotten with corruption. When the custom house find merchants for violation, chet arthur took a cut. Lived in a world of tiffany silver, fine carriages and grand balls balls and had hats and coats importlandded from lon do and owned at least 80 pairs of trouser. When an old college contractsmate item him his deputy was corrupt, chet waved him away. He he said