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'''Stephen Grover Cleveland''' was the 22nd and 24th [[President of the United States of America]], and was unique in that he was the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms.  He was elected in [[United States presidential election, 1884|1884]], defeated for reelection in [[United States presidential election, 1888|1888]], then elected to a second term in [[United States presidential election, 1892|1892]]. Cleveland was the only [[Democrat]] elected president between [[James Buchanan]] in 1856 and [[Woodrow Wilson]] in 1912.   

'''Stephen Grover Cleveland''' was the 22nd and 24th [[President of the United States of America]], and was unique in that he was the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms.  He was elected in [[United States presidential election, 1884|1884]], defeated for reelection in [[United States presidential election, 1888|1888]], then elected to a second term in [[United States presidential election, 1892|1892]]. Cleveland was the only [[Democrat]] elected president between [[James Buchanan]] in 1856 and [[Woodrow Wilson]] in 1912.   

Cleveland was best known in his time for his honesty and courage, his leadership of the business-oriented [[Bourbon Democrats]], and his opposition to the leftist forces that were overwhelming the Democratic party.  In the 21st century some conservatives praise his values. Cleveland supported the gold standard and lower tariffs, and opposed imperialism, corruption, patronage, veterans' pensions, high taxes and silver-based inflation. Some historians point out that Cleveland was the last small government president the Democrats ever elected, while others argues that Cleveland began the steady expansion of federal role.<ref>Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen, "A Patriot's History of the United States" (2007) for the former view; Ballard C. Campbell, ''The Growth of American Government: Governance From The Cleveland Era to the Present.'' (1995) for the latter view.</ref>

Cleveland was best known in his time for his honesty and courage, his leadership of the business-oriented [[Bourbon Democrats]], and his opposition to the leftist forces that were overwhelming the Democratic party.  In the 21st century some conservatives praise his values. Cleveland supported the gold standard and lower tariffs, and opposed imperialism, corruption, patronage, veterans' pensions, high taxes and silver-based inflation. Some historians point out that Cleveland was the last small government president the Democrats ever elected.<ref>Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen, "A Patriot's History of the United States" (2007)</ref> However, other historians argue that Cleveland began the steady expansion of federal role. <ref>Ballard C. Campbell, ''The Growth of American Government: Governance From The Cleveland Era to the Present.'' (1995) for the latter view.</ref>

Cleveland's first term (1885-1889) was uneventful, but his second term (1893-97) was filled with economic crises and political upheavals. Cleveland was famous for breaking the Pullman strike of 1894, which was paralyzing much of the national transportation grid west of Detroit.  He was repudiated by his Democratic Party in 1896, as it nominated [[William Jennings Bryan]] in 1896, 1900 and 1908; Bryan lost each time.  However the Democrats nominated Cleveland supporters Alton Parker in 1904 (he lost), and Wilson in 1912 (he won).  

Cleveland's first term (1885-1889) was uneventful, but his second term (1893-97) was filled with economic crises and political upheavals. Cleveland was famous for breaking the Pullman strike of 1894, which was paralyzing much of the national transportation grid west of Detroit.  He was repudiated by his Democratic Party in 1896, as it nominated [[William Jennings Bryan]] in 1896, 1900 and 1908; Bryan lost each time.  However the Democrats nominated Cleveland supporters Alton Parker in 1904 (he lost), and Wilson in 1912 (he won).  

Cleveland refused to replace efficient Republican office-holders, angering patronage hungry local Democratic leaders but gaining the admiration of reformers. To signal the end of the Civil War era, he appointed two southerners to the cabinet, and returned Confederate battle flags that had been captured during the war.  Union veterans were angry at him, an anger that intensified when he energetically vetoed hundreds of private pension bills based on dubious wartime claims.  He vetoed a bill to give $10,000 to distribute seed grain among drought-stricken farmers in Texas, and said: "Federal aid in such cases encourages the expectation of paternal care on the part of the Government and weakens the sturdiness of our national character."  

Cleveland refused to replace efficient Republican office-holders, angering patronage hungry local Democratic leaders but gaining the admiration of reformers. To signal the end of the Civil War era, he appointed two southerners to the cabinet, and returned Confederate battle flags that had been captured during the war.  Union veterans were angry at him, an anger that intensified when he energetically vetoed hundreds of private pension bills based on dubious wartime claims.  He vetoed a bill to give $10,000 to distribute seed grain among drought-stricken farmers in Texas, and said: "Federal aid in such cases encourages the expectation of paternal care on the part of the Government and weakens the sturdiness of our national character." He set a record that still stands, with 414 vetoes in his first term.

 

In 1886 Geronimo was captured by the Army, ending the Indian wars.  In October 1886, Cleveland dedicated the [[Statue of Liberty]], a project for which he asked some federal funding.  In 1887 he signed the Interstate Commerce Act, passed unanimously by Congress in response to demands for some form of railroad regulation.  The Act had little or no regulatory impact, but did tend to bury the issue.  

In 1886 Geronimo was captured by the Army, ending the Indian wars.  In October 1886, Cleveland dedicated the [[Statue of Liberty]], a project for which he asked some federal funding.  In 1887 he signed the Interstate Commerce Act, passed unanimously by Congress in response to demands for some form of railroad regulation.  The Act had little or no regulatory impact, but did tend to bury the issue.  

===Lowering the tariff===

===Lowering the tariff===

In 1887 Cleveland began to crusade against the high protective tariff, as an evil combination of corruption, inefficiency, and unnecessary taxation.  He wanted a lower tariff “for revenue only” (it funded most of the federal government).  Republicans, in alliance with industry, argued that a high tariff made for high wages, high profits, and faster economic expansion. Cleveland failed to lower the tariff in 1888 when the Mills Bill was defeated. In 1890 the Republicans raised rates again in the [[McKinley Tariff]], which proved politically disastrous for the GOP.<ref> Tariff bills were usually named after the chief author, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and sometimes also the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.</ref>  Historians conclude that the tariff made a difference in the woolen industry (where Britain was a lower-cost provider), and possibly in steel,  In other areas the U.S. was the world-wide low-cost produced and tariffs made little economic difference.  American wages were higher, but efficiency was greater and so prices were lower.<ref> See [http://www.econlib.org/library/Taussig/tsgSTQtoc.html Taussig, F. W. ''Some Aspects of the Tariff Question: An Examination of the Development of American Industries Under Protection'' (1931)], and Taussig, ''The Tariff History of the United States''. [http://www.mises.org/etexts/taussig.pdf  5th edition 1910  online] </ref> The tariff was an important political issue because it symbolized the Republican dedication to rapid industrialization and GOP support from factory owners and factory workers.<ref> Irish Catholic textile mill workers were Democrats and opposed the tariff, but other factory workers voted republican and supported high tariffs.</ref>

In 1887 Cleveland began to crusade against the high protective tariff, as an evil combination of corruption, inefficiency, and unnecessary taxation.  "Unnecassary taxation," he explained, "is unjust taxation."  harking back to the basic American hatred of taxation as a threat to individual liberty. He wanted a lower tariff "for revenue only" (it funded most of the federal government).  Republicans, in alliance with industry, argued that a high tariff made for high wages, high profits, and faster economic expansion. Cleveland failed to lower the tariff in 1888 when the Mills Bill was defeated. In 1890 the Republicans raised rates again in the [[McKinley Tariff]], which proved politically disastrous for the GOP.<ref> Tariff bills were usually named after the chief author, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and sometimes also the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.</ref>  Historians conclude that the tariff made a difference in the woolen industry (where Britain was a lower-cost provider), and possibly in steel,  In other areas the U.S. was the world-wide low-cost produced and tariffs made little economic difference.  American wages were higher, but efficiency was greater and so prices were lower.<ref> See [http://www.econlib.org/library/Taussig/tsgSTQtoc.html Taussig, F. W. ''Some Aspects of the Tariff Question: An Examination of the Development of American Industries Under Protection'' (1931)], and Taussig, ''The Tariff History of the United States''. [http://www.mises.org/etexts/taussig.pdf  5th edition 1910  online] </ref> The tariff was an important political issue because it symbolized the Republican dedication to rapid industrialization and GOP support from factory owners and factory workers.<ref> Irish Catholic textile mill workers were Democrats and opposed the tariff, but other factory workers voted republican and supported high tariffs.</ref>

===Navy Buildup===

===Navy Buildup===

The U.S. Navy was in deplorable condition by 1884, and Cleveland supported a systematic rebuilding of modern steel ships.  The new warships proved highly effective against Spain in the war of 1898.  

The U.S. Navy was in deplorable condition by 1884, and Cleveland supported a systematic rebuilding of modern steel ships.  The new warships proved highly effective against Spain in the war of 1898.  

 

==1888 campaign==

==1888 campaign==

Cleveland lost the [[United States presidential election, 1888|1888 Presidential Election]] to Republican [[Benjamin Harrison|Benjamin Harrison]]. Apart from endless discussions of the tariff, there were no major issues, as both parties rallied their armies of voters and the GOP did a slightly better job. Harrison won the Electoral College by a 204-197 margin, but Cleveland won the popular vote. Out of office, he moved to New York City, joining the prestigious Bangs, Stetson, Tracy and McVeigh law firm. Cleveland enjoyed a busy, lucrative practice, chiefly as a referee appointed by the courts.  

Cleveland lost the [[United States presidential election, 1888|1888 Presidential Election]] to Republican [[Benjamin Harrison|Benjamin Harrison]]. Apart from endless discussions of the tariff, there were no major issues, as both parties rallied their armies of voters and the GOP did a slightly better job. Cleveland had chilly relations with intensely partisan Governor [[David B. Hill]], leader of tghe Democratic Party in New York, and he narrowly lost the state and the election as Harrison won the Electoral College by a 204-197 margin. Cleveland nevertheless won the nationwide popular vote. Out of office, he moved to New York City, joining the prestigious Bangs, Stetson, Tracy and McVeigh law firm. Cleveland enjoyed a busy, lucrative practice, chiefly as a referee appointed by the courts.  

==1892 campaign==

==1892 campaign==