Arthur Barclay - Career

Career

In 1877, he was appointed Principal of the Perparatory Department of his Alma Mater, which position he held for a number of years, and served during the vacation as Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives. His later services to the said institution were: Professor, Member of the Board of Trustees, and sometimes Acting President.

He was called to the Bar of Montserrado County in 1877, and after practising law for three years, he attained the rank of Counsellor of the Supreme Court in the year 1880.

His first official position was Private Secretary to President Joseph Jenkins Roberts, from 1874; his second, Judge of the Court of Quarter Sessions and Common Pleas of Montserrado County to which he was appointed by President Alfred F. Russell, in 1883.

In 1885, President Hilary R. W. Johnson appointed him Sub-Treasurer of Montserrado County, which post he held for 5 years.

In 1892, President Joseph James Cheeseman, on taking office, elevated him to Cabinet rank as Postmaster-General, and afterwards to the post of Secretary of State. On the demise of H. A. Williams in 1896, he was appointed Secretary of the Treasury, which position he held continuously until his election to the Presidency in May 1903. Inaugurated in January, 1904, he served until January 1912. After his retirement he frequently acted as Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, and Secretary of the Interior and War. He was President of Liberia College, 1914-1917.

He served upon the following diplomatic commissions:

  • In 1893, associated with Senator A. B. King, and William Rothery, he was sent as a Commissioner to the World's Fair at Chicago, Illinois, United States.
  • In 1897, associated with Attorney-General Stevens, he went to London, England, to arrange with the Council of Foreign Bondholders for the amortization of the loan of 1870, contracted in the administration of President Edward James Roye, which had been in default for over 20 years.
  • In 1901, he was associated with Chief Justice Z. B. Roberts and Senator A. B. King on diplomatic missions to England and France.

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