Changes

==Entry into politics==

==Entry into politics==

Cleveland, a Democrat active in local affairs, in 1863 was appointed assistant district attorney of Erie County, N.Y., which included the city of Buffalo. In 1865 he lost the election for District Attorney and became a partner in a private law practice, earning an about $10,000 a year (triple the average for lawyers). In 1871 he was elected Erie County sheriff and established a reputation as an honest and capable public official.  During his time as sheriff he earned the nickname "Buffalo Hangman", since his job included executions.  Among the more well known hangings were Patrick Morrissey and John Gaffney.<ref>[http://www.buffalonian.com/history/articles/1851-1900/gaffneyhanging/gaffneyhanging.html THE EXECUTION OF JOHN GAFFNEY AT BUFFALO, NY 1873]</ref><ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9500E3DC113AE633A25754C0A9619C946396D6CF When Grover Cleveland Acted as Hangman], [[The New York Times]]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=3TZPAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA288 New Outlook, Volume 129]</ref>

Cleveland, a Democrat active in local affairs, in 1863 was appointed assistant district attorney of Erie County, N.Y., which included the city of Buffalo. In 1865 he lost the election for District Attorney and became a partner in a private law practice, earning an about $10,000 a year (triple the average for lawyers). In 1871 he was elected Erie County sheriff and established a reputation as an honest and capable public official.  During his time as sheriff he earned the nickname "Buffalo Hangman",<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertszczerba/2015/02/16/which-u-s-president-also-served-as-an-executioner/#6b8b3ca94c42 Which U.S. President Also Served As An Executioner?], [[Forbes]]</ref> since his job included executions.  Among the more well known hangings were Patrick Morrissey and John Gaffney.<ref>[http://www.buffalonian.com/history/articles/1851-1900/gaffneyhanging/gaffneyhanging.html THE EXECUTION OF JOHN GAFFNEY AT BUFFALO, NY 1873]</ref><ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9500E3DC113AE633A25754C0A9619C946396D6CF When Grover Cleveland Acted as Hangman], [[The New York Times]]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=3TZPAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA288 New Outlook, Volume 129]</ref>

In 1881, as the reform candidate for mayor of Buffalo, Cleveland was easily elected. He instituted numerous reforms, emphasizing efficiency and economy in his administration. Friends called him the "veto mayor" because of his repeated use of the veto power to slow the spending by the city council.

In 1881, as the reform candidate for mayor of Buffalo, Cleveland was easily elected. He instituted numerous reforms, emphasizing efficiency and economy in his administration. Friends called him the "veto mayor" because of his repeated use of the veto power to slow the spending by the city council.