Changes

{{President

{{Officeholder

|image=Grover cleveland.jpg

|image=Grover cleveland.jpg

|party=[[Democratic]]

|spouse=[[Frances Folsom]]

|party=Democratic

|spouse=[[Frances Folsom|Frances Folsom Cleveland]]

|religion=[[Presbyterian]]

|religion=[[Presbyterian]]

}}

'''Grover Cleveland''' was the 22nd and 24th [[President of the United States of America]], elected in 1884 and 1892. He was the representative conservative leader of the [[Gilded Age]], and headed the [[Bourbon Democrats]].  

}}

'''Grover Cleveland''' was the 22nd and 24th [[President of the United States of America]], elected in 1884 and 1892. He was the representative conservative leader of the [[Gilded Age]], and headed the [[Bourbon Democrats]].  

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.

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.<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 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).  

==Early Career ==

==Early Career ==

Cleveland was born in Caldwell, New Jersey on March 18, 1837; he had five brothers and four sisters. His father Richard Falley Cleveland was a Yale graduate and a [[Presbyterian]] clergyman, of Yankee descent. Cleveland's Puritan ancestors had moved to Massachusetts from England in 1635. Grover's mother, Ann Neal Cleveland, was the daughter of a Baltimore publisher. In 1841 the parents moved to Fayetteville, N.Y., and later to Clinton, N.Y., where Richard Cleveland died in 1853. Young Grover Cleveland was a mediocre student in high school; he never attended college. He worked for a time in a general store and then in an asylum for the blind. He moved to the growing lake city of Buffalo, N.Y. clerked in a law office and after a few years of tutorials was admitted to the Buffalo bar in 1859. He was the chief support for his widowed mother, so when he was drafted during the Civil War he hired a substitute; it later proved a political embarrassment.  

Cleveland was born in Caldwell, New Jersey on March 18, 1837; he had five brothers and four sisters. His father Richard Falley Cleveland was a Yale graduate and a [[Presbyterian]] clergyman, of Yankee descent. Cleveland's Puritan ancestors had moved to Massachusetts from England in 1635. Grover's mother, Ann Neal Cleveland, was the daughter of a Baltimore publisher. In 1841 the parents moved to Fayetteville, N.Y., and later to Clinton, N.Y., where Richard Cleveland died in 1853. Young Grover Cleveland was a mediocre student in high school; he never attended college. He worked for a time in a general store and then in an asylum for the blind. He moved to the growing lake city of Buffalo, N.Y. clerked in a law office and after a few years of tutorials was admitted to the Buffalo bar in 1859. He was the chief support for his widowed mother, so when he was drafted during the Civil War he hired a substitute; it later proved a political embarrassment.  

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. 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.  

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. 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.  

==Elected governor of New York 1882==

==Elected governor of New York 1882==

The Republican Party in New York state was disorganized and in bad odor after a series of scandals. The Democrats realized they needed a perfectly honest candidate to win, one without connections to big city machines in New York, Brooklyn, Buffalo or Albany. Cleveland fit the need and was elected by 193,000. At Albany, the state capital, he was attacked by machine politicians, especially those of [[Tammany Hall]] (the Democratic organization in New York City), for refusing to give out patronage jobs sought by local party leaders trying to reward their best workers. Cleveland cooperated with Republican leader [[Theodore Roosevelt]] to clean up state politics. In 1883 he vetoed the popular "Five Cent Bill," which required a fare reduction for users of Jay Gould's street railroad in New York City, arguing that it violated the company's contract with the state and unwisely undermined private investment in public infrastructure.

The Republican Party in New York state was disorganized and in bad odor after a series of scandals. The Democrats realized they needed a perfectly honest candidate to win, one without connections to big city machines in New York, Brooklyn, Buffalo or Albany. Cleveland fit the need and was elected by 193,000. At Albany, the state capital, he was attacked by machine politicians, especially those of [[Tammany Hall]] (the Democratic organization in New York City), for refusing to give out patronage jobs sought by local party leaders trying to reward their best workers. Cleveland cooperated with Republican leader [[Theodore Roosevelt]] to clean up state politics. In 1883 he vetoed the popular "Five Cent Bill," which required a fare reduction for users of Jay Gould's street railroad in New York City, arguing that it violated the company's contract with the state and unwisely undermined private investment in public infrastructure.

==Elected president 1884==

==Elected president 1884==

Reform was the theme at the national level in 1884, and Cleveland, governor of the largest and closest state, won the Democratic nomination for president as a new face with a sterling reputation. "We love him most for the enemies he has made,"  exulted one delegate and his campaign manager [[David Manning]] ran a smooth operation, during which Cleveland gave no speeches. The GOP nominated long-time Congressional leader [[James G. Blaine]] for president. Blaine was an able legislator, but was surrounded by whiffs of scandal. A Republican faction calling itself "Mugwumps" broke with Blaine and supported Cleveland. Reporters described Cleveland as “a very stout, exceedingly well-groomed looking gentleman, of medium height, with a full florid face, . . . a soldierly-looking gray moustache and a pair of gray-twinkling, friendly eyes."<ref> Summers, ''Rum, Romanism and Rebellion,'' p. 6</ref>

Reform was the theme at the national level in 1884, and Cleveland, governor of the largest and closest state, won the Democratic nomination for president as a new face with a sterling reputation. "We love him most for the enemies he has made,"  exulted one delegate and his campaign manager [[David Manning]] ran a smooth operation, during which Cleveland gave no speeches. The GOP nominated long-time Congressional leader [[James G. Blaine]] for president. Blaine was an able legislator, but was surrounded by whiffs of scandal. A Republican faction calling itself "Mugwumps" broke with Blaine and supported Cleveland. Reporters described Cleveland as “a very stout, exceedingly well-groomed looking gentleman, of medium height, with a full florid face, ... a soldierly-looking gray moustache and a pair of gray-twinkling, friendly eyes."<ref> Summers, ''Rum, Romanism and Rebellion,'' p. 6</ref>

The election of 1884 saw an intensely fought very close contest that turned on the electoral vote of New York. Cleveland crusaded against the corruptions represented by long-time Washington insider [[James G. Blaine]], the GOP candidate. Part of Blaine's problem centered around a suspicious letter which terminated with the words, "burn this letter."  Blaine's detractors marched and chanted, "Burn, Burn, Burn this letter!"  The discovery that Cleveland -- a bachelor--was paying child support gave the GOP a moralistic counter-issue of its own, and a chant, “Ma! Ma! Where’s my Pa?”<ref> Several men could have been the father; Cleveland, the wealthiest, paid the child support perhaps was not the father. </ref>  

The election of 1884 saw an intensely fought very close contest that turned on the electoral vote of New York. Cleveland crusaded against the corruptions represented by long-time Washington insider [[James G. Blaine]], the GOP candidate. Part of Blaine's problem centered around a suspicious letter which terminated with the words, "burn this letter."  Blaine's detractors marched and chanted, "Burn, Burn, Burn this letter!"  The discovery that Cleveland -- a bachelor--was paying child support gave the GOP a moralistic counter-issue of its own, and a chant, “Ma! Ma! Where’s my Pa?”<ref> Several men could have been the father; Cleveland, the wealthiest, paid the child support perhaps was not the father.</ref>  

Blaine had made inroads into the Irish Catholic vote, normally 90+% Democratic, but blundered when a Protestant minister introduced him and denounced the Democratic party as the party of "Rum, Romanism and Rebellion." That is, the Democrats were the party of saloons, Catholics and Confederates; Catholics resented the slur and Blaine should have immediately repudiated it but failed to do so. Blaine lost his gains among Catholics at the last minute, and lost some Republican support to a prohibitionist candidate. Election day was Tuesday, and Cleveland led with 48.5% of the popular vote, but the Republicans did not concede until Saturday, when they realized  that Cleveland's narrow margin in New York state proved decisive. Cleveland won the national popular vote by only 29,000 votes. In a very close election any number of small, almost random factors could be seen as decisive. Victory gave Democrats a new response, "Gone to the White House! Ha Ha Ha!"   

Blaine had made inroads into the Irish Catholic vote, normally 90+% Democratic, but blundered when a Protestant minister introduced him and denounced the Democratic party as the party of "Rum, Romanism and Rebellion." That is, the Democrats were the party of saloons, Catholics and Confederates; Catholics resented the slur and Blaine should have immediately repudiated it but failed to do so. Blaine lost his gains among Catholics at the last minute, and lost some Republican support to a prohibitionist candidate. Election day was Tuesday, and Cleveland led with 48.5% of the popular vote, but the Republicans did not concede until Saturday, when they realized  that Cleveland's narrow margin in New York state proved decisive. Cleveland won the national popular vote by only 29,000 votes. In a very close election any number of small, almost random factors could be seen as decisive. Victory gave Democrats a new response, "Gone to the White House! Ha Ha Ha!"   

===Marriage===

===Marriage===

===Actions as President===

===Actions as President===

Cleveland built a strong cabinet of men loyal to him, including  [[Thomas Bayard]] as secretary of state, Manning as secretary of the Treasury, and [[William C. Whitney]] as secretary of the navy. In 1888 he named conservative Chicago lawyer [[Melville W. Fuller]] as chief justice of the United States; Fuller served for twenty-two years.  

Cleveland built a strong cabinet of men loyal to him, including  [[Thomas Bayard]] as secretary of state, Manning as secretary of the Treasury, and [[William C. Whitney]] as secretary of the navy. In 1888 he named conservative Chicago lawyer [[Melville W. Fuller]] as chief justice of the United States; Fuller served for twenty-two years.  

[[Image:Geronimo 18887.jpg|thumb|Cleveland sent the Army and it captured the terrorist Geronimo.]]

[[Image:Geronimo 18887.jpg|thumb|Cleveland sent the Army and it captured the terrorist Geronimo.]]

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. He vetoed twice as many bills as all previous presidents combined. Most were minor matters, though he also vetoed a major bill to restrict immigration from China.  

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. He vetoed twice as many bills as all previous presidents combined. Most were minor matters, though he also vetoed a major bill to restrict immigration from China.  

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 1887 Cleveland began to crusade against the high protective tariff, as an evil combination of corruption, inefficiency, and unnecessary taxation. "Unnecessary 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.  

 

===Expanding the federal government role in the economy===

===Expanding the federal government role in the economy===

The Supreme Court's rejection (1886) of a state law regulating railroad rates convinced Cleveland that national controls for railroads engaged in interstate commerce were necessary. Congress agreed and in 1887 created the [[Interstate Commerce Commission]]; it was the federal government's first significant regulation of a major business sector. Cleveland approved the Hatch Act (1887), providing federal subsidies to state agricultural experiment stations. Congress upgraded the Department of Agriculture to departmental status (1889) and Cleveland supported its emerging role as a major research center for agricultural science.  

The Supreme Court's rejection (1886) of a state law regulating railroad rates convinced Cleveland that national controls for railroads engaged in interstate commerce were necessary. Congress agreed and in 1887 created the [[Interstate Commerce Commission]]; it was the federal government's first significant regulation of a major business sector. Cleveland approved the Hatch Act (1887), providing federal subsidies to state agricultural experiment stations. Congress upgraded the Department of Agriculture to departmental status (1889) and Cleveland supported its emerging role as a major research center for agricultural science.  

==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. Cleveland had chilly relations with intensely partisan Governor [[David B. Hill]], leader of the 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.  

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 the 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===

The Democrats won a landslide in the Congressional elections of 1890, attacking the McKinley Tariff, and the efforts of the GOP in Wisconsin and Illinois to shut down many religious schools. Cleveland easily defeated Harrison in 1892, and the Democrats took control of both houses of Congress.  

The Democrats won a landslide in the Congressional elections of 1890, attacking the McKinley Tariff, and the efforts of the GOP in Wisconsin and Illinois to shut down many religious schools. Cleveland easily defeated Harrison in 1892, and the Democrats took control of both houses of Congress.  

==Second term, 1893-97 ==

==Second term, 1893-97 ==

Cleveland's most important appointees were [[John Carlisle]] as Secretary of the Treasury, and [[Richard Olney]] as Attorney General. Carlisle, of Kentucky, had been Speaker of the House, and was a tariff expert. Olney was a leading railroad lawyer in Boston; in 1895 the aggressive, undiplomatic Olney became Secretary of State. Cleveland had strained relations with the media, in sharp contrast to his successor McKinley who systematically used and manipulated the press to advance his political agenda.  

Cleveland's most important appointees were [[John Carlisle]] as Secretary of the Treasury, and [[Richard Olney]] as Attorney General. Carlisle, of Kentucky, had been Speaker of the House, and was a tariff expert. Olney was a leading railroad lawyer in Boston; in 1895 the aggressive, undiplomatic Olney became Secretary of State. Cleveland had strained relations with the media, in sharp contrast to his successor McKinley who systematically used and manipulated the press to advance his political agenda.  

====Depression====

====Depression====

Within weeks after Cleveland took office on March 4, 1893, the economy went into a tailspin. Every sector was hurt—farming, manufacturing, railroads, retail trade, and banking.  

Within weeks after Cleveland took office on March 4, 1893, the economy went into a tailspin. Every sector was hurt—farming, manufacturing, railroads, retail trade, and banking.  

====Silver and gold====

====Silver and gold====

The Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890 required the government to buy 4,500,000 ounces of silver each month, and to pay for it with the issue of new paper money. Conservatives denounced this as a wasteful subsidy to the silver miners and mine owners, and that it endangered the gold standard because there was not gold in the treasury to redeem all of the new government notes. Using all his powers of persuasion and patronage, Cleveland called a special session of Congress and forced the repeal of the law in October, 1893.<ref> In the middle of the crisis he had secret emergency surgery to remove a cancerous growth in his mouth.</ref>  Nevertheless the treasury continued to lose gold.  

The Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890 required the government to buy 4,500,000 ounces of silver each month, and to pay for it with the issue of new paper money. Conservatives denounced this as a wasteful subsidy to the silver miners and mine owners, and that it endangered the gold standard because there was not gold in the treasury to redeem all of the new government notes. Using all his powers of persuasion and patronage, Cleveland called a special session of Congress and forced the repeal of the law in October, 1893.<ref> In the middle of the crisis he had secret emergency surgery to remove a cancerous growth in his mouth.</ref>  Nevertheless the treasury continued to lose gold.  

The depression continued to worsened, reaching a nadir in mid-1894. Prices, trade and profits continued to fall, and unemployment reached 20%. Some 156 railroads with 30,000 miles of track went bankrupt along with 800 banks and many small businesses.<ref>  Samuel Rezneck, "Unemployment, Unrest and Relief in the United States during the Depression of 1893-1897," ''Journal of Political Economy'' 61 (1953): 324-45 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/1826883  in JSTOR]; Charles Hoffmann, "The Depression of the Nineties," ''Journal of Economic History'' 16 (1956): 137-64 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/2114113  in JSTOR]</ref>  

The depression continued to worsened, reaching a nadir in mid-1894. Prices, trade and profits continued to fall, and unemployment reached 20%. Some 156 railroads with 30,000 miles of track went bankrupt along with 800 banks and many small businesses.<ref>  Samuel Rezneck, "Unemployment, Unrest and Relief in the United States during the Depression of 1893-1897," ''Journal of Political Economy'' 61 (1953): 324-45 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/1826883  in JSTOR]; Charles Hoffmann, "The Depression of the Nineties," ''Journal of Economic History'' 16 (1956): 137-64 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/2114113  in JSTOR]</ref>  

In 1895 the treasury's gold dupply had almost run out and Cleveland had to borrow gold from [[J. P. Morgan]] and the New York banks, an emergency move that embarrassed his administration and strengthened the silverites.<ref> Ron Chernow, ''The House of Morgan: An American Banking Dynasty and the Rise of Modern Finance'' (2001)  [http://books.google.com/books?id=N6rbt4X-VlEC&pg=PA73&lpg=PA73&dq=cleveland+morgan+gold&source=web&ots=xdNS7L16bs&sig=jzVfIcyuJZqFqrQDEp3peg2nDhk&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=7&ct=result online p. 73-74]</ref>

In 1895 the treasury's gold dupply had almost run out and Cleveland had to borrow gold from [[J. P. Morgan]] and the New York banks, an emergency move that embarrassed his administration and strengthened the silverites.<ref> Ron Chernow, ''The House of Morgan: An American Banking Dynasty and the Rise of Modern Finance'' (2001)  [http://books.google.com/books?id=N6rbt4X-VlEC&pg=PA73&lpg=PA73&dq=cleveland+morgan+gold&source=web&ots=xdNS7L16bs&sig=jzVfIcyuJZqFqrQDEp3peg2nDhk&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=7&ct=result online p. 73-74]</ref>

====Wilson Gorman tariff====

====Wilson Gorman tariff====

Cleveland tried to lower the tariff in 1893-94 and result was a fiasco. The House did vote much lower rates, but protectionist Democrats in the Senate, led by Senator Arthur Pue Gorman, Democrat of Maryland, raised them again, and added an income tax of 2% on incomes over $4000, leaving Cleveland's main campaign promises of tariff reform in shambles. He allowed the "Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act", including the income tax, to become law without his signature in 1894.</ref>  The Supreme Court in 1895 declared the income tax of 1894 unconstitutional. The income tax was legalized by the [[Sixteenth Amendment]] in 1913.</ref>

Cleveland tried to lower the tariff in 1893-94 and result was a fiasco. The House did vote much lower rates, but protectionist Democrats in the Senate, led by Senator Arthur Pue Gorman, Democrat of Maryland, raised them again, and added an income tax of 2% on incomes over $4000, leaving Cleveland's main campaign promises of tariff reform in shambles. He allowed the "Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act", including the income tax, to become law without his signature in 1894.</ref>  The Supreme Court in 1895 declared the income tax of 1894 unconstitutional. The income tax was legalized by the [[Sixteenth Amendment]] in 1913.</ref>

===Pullman Strike: 1894===

===Pullman Strike: 1894===

Deep in the depression, in summer 1894 the [[Pullman strike]], based in Chicago, was an attempt by workers tried to stop all trains, including those carrying the U.S. mail. Noting that the mail is a constitutional duty of the federal government, Cleveland rejected the demands by Illinois Governor [[John Peter Altgeld]], a fellow Democrat, to stay out. Altgeld, with ties to the labor unions, was a leader of the radical left wing of the party, and was using states rights arguments favored by southerners who wanted  no federal protection of the voting rights of blacks. "If it takes the the entire army and navy . . . to deliver a postal card in Chicago, that card will be delivered."  he promised. Cleveland ignored Altgeld and the states rights argument --and indeed consulted with no one outside his cabinet--and sent in the army to take control of the rail yards in Chicago and dozens of other major cities. Cleveland had the strike leaders arrested as strikers attacked the army violently in numerous cities. The army reopened the rail system, ended the strike, and broke the union. Cleveland had made the most dramatic intervention of federal power into local affairs since the end of [[Reconstruction]], and was bitterly resented by states-rights elements.

Deep in the depression, in summer 1894 the [[Pullman strike]], based in Chicago, was an attempt by workers tried to stop all trains, including those carrying the U.S. mail. Noting that the mail is a constitutional duty of the federal government, Cleveland rejected the demands by Illinois Governor [[John Peter Altgeld]], a fellow Democrat, to stay out. Altgeld, with ties to the labor unions, was a leader of the radical left wing of the party, and was using states rights arguments favored by southerners who wanted  no federal protection of the voting rights of blacks. "If it takes the the entire army and navy ... to deliver a postal card in Chicago, that card will be delivered,"  he promised. Cleveland ignored Altgeld and the states rights argument --and indeed consulted with no one outside his cabinet--and sent in the army to take control of the rail yards in Chicago and dozens of other major cities. Cleveland had the strike leaders arrested as strikers attacked the army violently in numerous cities. The army reopened the rail system, ended the strike, and broke the union. Cleveland had made the most dramatic intervention of federal power into local affairs since the end of [[Reconstruction]], and was bitterly resented by states-rights elements.

The fall elections of 1894 brought a massive Republican landslide, and wiped out the Populist party in the West and the Democratic party in the Northeast. The result was that Cleveland's leftist enemies in the Democratic party, based in the South and Midwest, ganied strength.

The fall elections of 1894 brought a massive Republican landslide, and wiped out the Populist party in the West and the Democratic party in the Northeast. The result was that Cleveland's leftist enemies in the Democratic party, based in the South and Midwest, ganied strength.

===Hawaii===

===Hawaii===

In 1893 Hawaiian businessmen overthrew the local queen, without bloodshed; they proclaimed an independent republic in 1894. They sought annexation to the U.S., which long had dominated the Hawaiian economy. Cleveland withdrew the treaty of annexation and sent his own agent [[James Henderson Blount]] to investigate. The Blount report said that support for the revolution by the American consul tainted its legitimacy. Cleveland was on the verge of sending the navy to conquer Hawaii and return it to the queen when she promised to behead all the revolutionaries. The notion that America would invade a peaceful republic and install a bloodthirsty absolute monarch so violated the principles of the American Revolution (when France aided the American rebels) that Cleveland sat silent. In 1898 Hawaii voluntarily joined the U.S.

In 1893 Hawaiian businessmen overthrew the local queen, without bloodshed; they proclaimed an independent republic in 1894. They sought annexation to the U.S., which long had dominated the Hawaiian economy. Cleveland withdrew the treaty of annexation and sent his own agent [[James Henderson Blount]] to investigate. The Blount report said that support for the revolution by the American consul tainted its legitimacy. Cleveland was on the verge of sending the navy to conquer Hawaii and return it to the queen when she promised to behead all the revolutionaries. The notion that America would invade a peaceful republic and install a bloodthirsty absolute monarch so violated the principles of the American Revolution (when France aided the American rebels) that Cleveland sat silent. In 1898 Hawaii voluntarily joined the U.S.

 

===Latin America===

===Latin America===

Cleveland wanted to enforce strict neutrality in the Cuban rebellion between 1895 and 1897, but American public opinion strongly supported the rebels. In 1898, under McKinley, the U.S. went to war to stop Spain’s harsh suppression of the rebellion.  

Cleveland wanted to enforce strict neutrality in the Cuban rebellion between 1895 and 1897, but American public opinion strongly supported the rebels. In 1898, under McKinley, the U.S. went to war to stop Spain’s harsh suppression of the rebellion.  

Cleveland took a bellicose stand against Britain in  the Venezuela crisis of 1895, claiming the  [[Monroe Doctrine]] gave him the right to intervene in a boundary dispute between independent Venezuela and British Guiana, a neighboring British colony. He stood behind Secretary of State Richard Olney's claim that the United States was "practically sovereign on this continent" and that its "fiat" was law.   Britain ignored the hint of war and tried to maintain friendly relations with the U.S.; Britain and Venezuela resolved the issue through arbitration.

Cleveland took a bellicose stand against Britain in  the Venezuela crisis of 1895, claiming the  [[Monroe Doctrine]] gave him the right to intervene in a boundary dispute between independent Venezuela and British Guiana, a neighboring British colony. He stood behind Secretary of State Richard Olney's claim that the United States was "practically sovereign on this continent" and that its "fiat" was law. Britain ignored the hint of war and tried to maintain friendly relations with the U.S.; Britain and Venezuela resolved the issue through arbitration.

===1896===

===1896===

Radical agrarians rejected Cleveland and the [[Gold Democrats]], taking over the Democratic party in 1896 and nominating firebrand [[William Jennings Bryan]] of Nebraska. Bryan vehemently denounced industrialists and bankers in his famous “Cross of Gold Speech.”  Bryan called for inflation by putting more money in circulation; his plan was to legislate cheap silver into legal currency at the ratio of 16 oz of silver to one oz of gold, hence the silverite slogan “16 to 1.” . Many of Cleveland's closest associates bolted the Democratic party and formed the "Gold Democrats"; many Cleveland supporters voted for republican candidate [[William McKinley]]. Cleveland himself remained silent.  

Radical agrarians rejected Cleveland and the [[Gold Democrats]], taking over the Democratic party in 1896 and nominating firebrand [[William Jennings Bryan]] of Nebraska. Bryan vehemently denounced industrialists and bankers in his famous “Cross of Gold Speech.”  Bryan called for inflation by putting more money in circulation; his plan was to legislate cheap silver into legal currency at the ratio of 16 oz of silver to one oz of gold, hence the silverite slogan “16 to 1.” . Many of Cleveland's closest associates bolted the Democratic party and formed the "Gold Democrats"; many Cleveland supporters voted for republican candidate [[William McKinley]]. Cleveland himself remained silent.  

==Evaluation==

==Evaluation==

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."   

==Retirement==

==Retirement==

Cleveland, nicknamed 'the Growler', retired to Princeton, New Jersey. Some people wanted him to run again in 1904, but he was too old. Sometimes President Theodore Roosevelt asked him for advice, but Cleveland refused to head Roosevelt’s Coal Commission in 1893 because it meant selling his railroad stocks.

Cleveland, nicknamed 'the Growler', retired to Princeton, New Jersey. Some people wanted him to run again in 1904, but he was too old. Sometimes President Theodore Roosevelt asked him for advice, but Cleveland refused to head Roosevelt’s Coal Commission in 1893 because it meant selling his railroad stocks.

Cleveland died on June 24, 1908 from a heart and kidney disease, with his wife at his side. He is buried in the Princeton Cemetery. <ref>Encyclopedia of Presidents by Zachary Kent, Chicago Press, 1988. </ref>

Cleveland died on June 24, 1908 from a heart and kidney disease, with his wife at his side. He is buried in the Princeton Cemetery.<ref>Encyclopedia of Presidents by Zachary Kent, Chicago Press, 1988.</ref>

==Honors and memorials==

==Honors and memorials==

==Trivia==

==Trivia==

*The baseball player Grover Cleveland Alexander was named after him.

*The baseball player Grover Cleveland Alexander was named after him.

*Cleveland's grandson is a Presidential impersonator.

*Cleveland's grandson is a Presidential impersonator.

*Cleveland's granddaughter Philippa Foot is a retired UCLA and Oxford philosophy professor.

*Cleveland's granddaughter Philippa Foot is a retired UCLA and Oxford philosophy professor.

* Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt were the only police officials to become president.

* Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt were the only police officials to become president.

* Grover Cleveland's last words were "I have tried so hard to do right." ."<ref> Summers, ‘’Rum, Romanism and Rebellion,’’ p. 6</ref>

* Grover Cleveland's last words were "I have tried so hard to do right." ."<ref> Summers, ‘’Rum, Romanism and Rebellion,’’ p. 6</ref>

* DeSantis, Vincent P. "Grover Cleveland," in William C. Spragens, ed. ''Popular Images of American Presidents'' (1988), ch 6 pp 131-46 [http://books.google.com/books?id=vFXHb58t340C&pg=PA142&lpg=PA142&dq=%22term+with+the+economy+panic+riddled%22&source=web&ots=JGhYGjrz2A&sig=52zcYMczc1jT8tNiYEqYW4IceF4&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA131,M1 online edition], highly favorable summary by leading historian

* DeSantis, Vincent P. "Grover Cleveland," in William C. Spragens, ed. ''Popular Images of American Presidents'' (1988), ch 6 pp 131-46 [http://books.google.com/books?id=vFXHb58t340C&pg=PA142&lpg=PA142&dq=%22term+with+the+economy+panic+riddled%22&source=web&ots=JGhYGjrz2A&sig=52zcYMczc1jT8tNiYEqYW4IceF4&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA131,M1 online edition], highly favorable summary by leading historian

* 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

* McElroy, Robert. ''Grover Cleveland, the Man and the Statesman: An Authorized Biography'' (1923) old, but useful [http://www.questia.com/read/813825?title=Grover%20Cleveland%2c%20the%20Man%20and%20the%20Statesman%3a%20An%20Authorized%20Biography%20-%20Vol.%201 online edition v 1]; [http://www.questia.com/read/25975582?title=Grover%20Cleveland%2c%20the%20Man%20and%20the%20Statesman%3a%20An%20Authorized%20Biography%20-%20Vol.%202 online edition vole 2]

* McElroy, Robert. ''Grover Cleveland, the Man and the Statesman: An Authorized Biography'' (1923) old, but useful [http://www.questia.com/read/813825?title=Grover%20Cleveland%2c%20the%20Man%20and%20the%20Statesman%3a%20An%20Authorized%20Biography%20-%20Vol.%201 online edition v 1]; [http://www.questia.com/read/25975582?title=Grover%20Cleveland%2c%20the%20Man%20and%20the%20Statesman%3a%20An%20Authorized%20Biography%20-%20Vol.%202 online edition vole 2]

* Markel, Rita J. ''Grover Cleveland'' (2006) 112pp; pre-high-school level [http://www.amazon.com/Grover-Cleveland-Presidential-Leaders-Markel/dp/082251494X/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220569775&sr=8-4 excerpt and text search]

* Markel, Rita J. ''Grover Cleveland'' (2006) 112pp; pre-high-school level [http://www.amazon.com/Grover-Cleveland-Presidential-Leaders-Markel/dp/082251494X/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220569775&sr=8-4 excerpt and text search]

===Specialized scholarly studies===

===Specialized scholarly studies===

* Bard, Mitchell. "Ideology and Depression Politics I: Grover Cleveland (1893-1897)" ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'' 1985 15(1): 77-88.  

* Bard, Mitchell. "Ideology and Depression Politics I: Grover Cleveland (1893-1897)" ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'' 1985 15(1): 77-88.  

* Beito, David T.,  and Linda Royster Beito, "Gold Democrats and the Decline of Classical Liberalism, 1896-1900," ''Independent Review'' 4 (Spring 2000), 555-75. [http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/article.asp?issueID=22&articleID=261 online edition], libertarian perspective

* Beito, David T.,  and Linda Royster Beito, "Gold Democrats and the Decline of Classical Liberalism, 1896-1900," ''Independent Review'' 4 (Spring 2000), 555-75. [http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/article.asp?issueID=22&articleID=261 online edition], libertarian perspective

* [http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/index.php/academic/americanpresident/cleveland Good scholarly essay on Cleveland with short essays on cabinet members and Mrs. Cleveland; from U of Virginia’s Miller Center of Public Affairs]

* [http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/index.php/academic/americanpresident/cleveland Good scholarly essay on Cleveland with short essays on cabinet members and Mrs. Cleveland; from U of Virginia’s Miller Center of Public Affairs]

====notes====

====Notes====

<references/>

<references/>

{{USPresidents}}

{{USPresidents}}