Changes

Cleveland, the hardest worker in Washington, was a micromanager--answering the phone himself, drafting routine letters. He seldom consulted with other political leaders, and thus kept aloof from the wheeling and dealing and compromising that might undercut his reputation for total independence. The ''New York Times'' editorialized two days before he finally left office in March 1897, that this dutifulness "has completely estranged powerful Democrats who were able to deprive him of the support of great States and to turn against him their Members and Senators. It has provoked implacable enmities potent enough to obstruct or thwart his greatest designs and highest policies." Harry Thurston Peck, a shrewd journalist, concluded in 1908, "But it was Cleveland's lot to alienate in turn every important interest, faction and party in the United States; and he did this always in obedience to his own matured conception of his duty."   

Cleveland, the hardest worker in Washington, was a micromanager--answering the phone himself, drafting routine letters. He seldom consulted with other political leaders, and thus kept aloof from the wheeling and dealing and compromising that might undercut his reputation for total independence. The ''New York Times'' editorialized two days before he finally left office in March 1897, that this dutifulness "has completely estranged powerful Democrats who were able to deprive him of the support of great States and to turn against him their Members and Senators. It has provoked implacable enmities potent enough to obstruct or thwart his greatest designs and highest policies." Harry Thurston Peck, a shrewd journalist, concluded in 1908, "But it was Cleveland's lot to alienate in turn every important interest, faction and party in the United States; and he did this always in obedience to his own matured conception of his duty."   

Historians are split. All have admired his courage and honesty and dedication to republicanism. Critics note that he left office repudiated by his party and the American people for his failures in the economic realm. Thus historian Thomas Bailey concluded, "He left office at the end of his second term with the economy panic riddled, the Treasury in the red, his party disrupted, his Republican opponents triumphant, and himself formally repudiated by his Democratic following."<ref> Thomas Bailey, ''Presidential Greatness'' (1966) p 300</ref>

Historians are split. Many consider him among the greatest presidents because of his total commitment to honesty and civic duty. Indeed, all historians emphasize his courage, honesty opposition to corruption, and dedication to republicanism. The issue, however, is his impact on the nation, as critics praise his personality but downplay his achievements, noting that he left office repudiated by his party and the American people for his failures in the economic realm. Thus historian Thomas Bailey concluded, "He left office at the end of his second term with the economy panic riddled, the Treasury in the red, his party disrupted, his Republican opponents triumphant, and himself formally repudiated by his Democratic following."<ref> Thomas Bailey, ''Presidential Greatness'' (1966) p 300</ref>

==Retirement==

==Retirement==

* Brodsky, Alyn. ''Grover Cleveland: A Study in Character'' (2000) - 496 pages; popular biography [http://www.amazon.com/Grover-Cleveland-Character-Alyn-Brodsky/dp/0312268831/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220569775&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]

* Brodsky, Alyn. ''Grover Cleveland: A Study in Character'' (2000) - 496 pages; popular biography [http://www.amazon.com/Grover-Cleveland-Character-Alyn-Brodsky/dp/0312268831/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220569775&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]

* DeSantis, Vincent P. "Grover Cleveland: Another Look." ''Hayes Historical Journal'' 1980 3(1-2): 41-50. Issn: 0364-5924, argues his energy, honesty, and devotion to duty - much more than his actual accomplishments established his claim to greatness.

* DeSantis, Vincent P. "Grover Cleveland: Another Look." ''Hayes Historical Journal'' 1980 3(1-2): 41-50. Issn: 0364-5924, argues his energy, honesty, and devotion to duty - much more than his actual accomplishments established his claim to greatness.

* Graff, Henry F. ''Grover Cleveland'' (2002), 155pp; short scholarly biography

* Graff, Henry F. ''Grover Cleveland'' (2002), 155pp; short scholarly biography

* Jeffers, H. Paul.  ''An Honest President: The Life and Presidencies of Grover Cleveland.'' 2000. 385 pp. popular, focused on personality

* Jeffers, H. Paul.  ''An Honest President: The Life and Presidencies of Grover Cleveland.'' 2000. 385 pp. popular, focused on personality