CONTENTS

CHAPTER I.

ANCESTRY AND EARLY LIFE.

Birth and parentage-The Cleveland Family-Settlement of Richard

Cleveland in New York State-Characteristics of Western New

York - First employment of Grover - Death of his father-

Engagement at a Blind Asylum-Start Westward-Uncle at Buffalo

-The American Short-horn Herd Book-Called to the Bar 1859-

-Assistant District Attorney 1863-Partner in Laning, Cleveland,

and Folsom - Sheriff of Erie County 1870-Mayor of Buffalo

1882
Pages 1-10

CHAPTER II.

MAYORALTY OF BUFFALO.

The American city-Similarity of institutions in City, State, and

Union-The veto power-The Mayor and the Street Commis-

sioner's buggy-The "Plain Speech Veto"--The Sewer Commission

-Decoration Day-Cleveland candidate for the Governorship of

New York-Republican support

CHAPTER III.

GOVERNORSHIP OF NEW YORK.

II-22

Contest with Folger-Non-partisan character of Cleveland's address

-Enormous majority for Cleveland-Work at Albany-Important

functions of Governor-More Vetoes-The 5 cent Fare Bill-

Appointments in New York City-A Presidential candidate 23-35

CHAPTER IV.

AMERICAN PARTIES.

Choice of party connection-Cleveland joins the Democrats-The

oldest of American parties--Influence of Jefferson-The veto

power-The Federalists-The Whigs-The Republicans—Com-

position of parties in 1884

36-55

CHAPTER V.

CONTEST FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

Position of the Republicans-J. G. Blaine—Reform movement—

Hostility of professional politicians to Cleveland-The Mugwumps

—The Tariff—The memories of the Civil War-"Rum, Romanism,

and Rebellion"-Large majority for Cleveland

56-66

CHAPTER VI.

FIRST PRESIDENCY, 1885-86.

Inauguration-Choice of Cabinet-Reconciling influence-Visit to

the South-First Message, December, 1885-State of Parties

in 49th Congress-Resumption of public lands-Limited power

of President-Vetoes-Pension Bills-Public buildings-The

Texas Seed Bill-Wedding, June 22nd, 1886

67-87

CHAPTER VII.

THE TARIFF MESSAGE, 1887.

Mercantilism and Democracy-Slavery-Silver-Protective Duties

-Democrats favourable to Protection on National grounds-

From 1820 advocates of Reduced Tariff-The Tariff of Abomi-

nations"-The Compromise" Tariff-Return to Protection on

Lincoln's Election-High Duties during the War-Reduction of

Debt - Enormous Surpluses - Cleveland's attack on the Tariff

System
88-107

CHAPTER VIII.

A CAMPAIGN YEAR.

Preparation for the next Presidential Election—Tariff bills—Fishery

debates - History of question-Treaties of 1783 and 1818-

Reciprocity Treaty, 1854-Fishery Clauses of Treaty of Washing-

ton, abrogated by President Arthur-Seizure of American vessels,

1886-Retaliation Act passed, 1887-The Chamberlain Mission-

Treaty of 1888 sent to Senate-Senator Dolph on England-

Treaty rejected by three votes-President asks additional powers

of retaliation-Protocol adopted.
108-122

CHAPTER IX.

MR. CLEVELAND IN OPPOSITION.

Cleveland nominated by acclamation-His letter of acceptance-

General Harrison-Character of contest-Murchison incident-

Cleveland gets majority of votes, but not of electors—Concluding

session of Fiftieth Congress-Financial conditions of the Republic

—Veto of the Direct Tax Refunding Bill-Resumes work at the

Bar-Residence at New York-Buzzard's Bay-Political speeches

-Letter on silver-Popularity with the country

123-133

CHAPTER X.

ELECTION FOR A SECOND TERM.

Questions before the country-Legislation during the Harrison

Presidency-The Sherman Act-The McKinley Act-Dependent

Pension Act-Great defeat of Republicans at election of Congress

in 1890-Disappearance of Surplus-Party platforms--Sudden

resignation of Mr. Blaine-Nominations of Harrison and Cleveland

-Re-election of Cleveland-Inaugural address-New Cabinet

134-148

CHAPTER XI.

CURRENCY LEGISLATION.

Extra session of Congress-Review of the Silver movement—

Republican finance during the War-Popularity of greenbacks-

Desire for abundant currency--Resumption Act, 1875-Rise of

the Silver interest - The Bland Act-Cleveland proposes its

repeal, 1885-The Sherman Act, 1890-Monetary Crisis of 1893

-Cleveland proposes repeal of the Sherman Act-Obstruction in

the Senate-Repeal carried.

149-164

CHAPTER XII.

OBSTRUCTION IN THE SENATE.

Second session of the Cleveland Congress--The President's summons

to action-Mr. Carlisle on Reduction of Duties-The Wilson Bill

-Success in the House-Opposition in the Senate-Letter to

Mr. Wilson-Wool duty abolished-The railway strike-Troops

of the United States to Chicago-Governor Altgeld-Treasury

obliged to purchase gold-Democrats defeated at elections of

1894-Income tax annulled by Supreme Court-President urges

the withdrawal of greenbacks and reform of the bank laws 165-180

CHAPTER XIII.

FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES.

Washington's injunction—Popular desire for a foreign policy--

American diplomatists-The Keiley dispute-Hawaiian Revolution

-Mr. Cleveland withdraws Annexation Treaty-The Blount

inquiry-Public sentiment as to "Monarchic Government'

Senator Morgan-Cuba

دو

181-200

CHAPTER XIV.

AMERICA AND GREAT BRITAIN.

Important relations between the two countries-South American

trade--British Guiana-Old dispute with Venezuela—The Olney

Despatch-Lord Salisbury's replies-The Venezuela Message—

Enthusiasm in Congress-Panic in Stocks-Finance Message-

Feeling towards England—Republican impatience of European

influence on the American Continent-The Maine and Oregon

boundaries.
201-228

CHAPTER XV.

THE CHICAGO REVOLT.

Continued exports of gold-Loan of one hundred millions-Loan

Prohibition Bill River and Harbour Bill - Passed over the

veto-Free coinage agitation-Civil Service reform-Republicans

nominate McKinley-Cleveland calls his party to action-The

Chicago platform—Nomination of Bryan by Democrats at Chicago

and Populists at St. Louis-The Populist party

229-242

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE

1837 March 18th. Grover Cleveland born at Caldwell, New Jersey. 1841 Cleveland family settle in Western New York.

1845 Death of General Jackson.

1851 Grover Cleveland employed at Fayetteville.

1853 Oct. 1st. Death of the Rev. Richard Fally Cleveland. 1854 Grover Cleveland employed at the Institution for the Blind, 9th Avenue, New York.

1855 Grover Cleveland arrives in Buffalo.

1859 May. Called to the Bar.

1860 Nov. 6th.

1861

Election of President Lincoln.

Feb. 4th. Southern States form Confederacy.

1861 April. Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Missouri protest against coercion of Confederate States.

April 13th. Fort Sumpter taken by Confederates.

1865 April 9th. Confederates surrender at Appomattox Courthouse.

1870 Cleveland elected Sheriff of Erie County.

1873 Cleveland returns to practice at the Bar.

1875 The Resumption Act passed.

1876 Disputed Presidential Election, Tilden and Hayes.

1878 Bland Silver Bill passed.

1879 Jan. Ist. Cash payments resumed.

1880

Garfield elected President.

Reaction in both parties against the Machine.

1881 Nov. Cleveland elected Mayor of Buffalo.

1882 Nov. Cleveland elected Governor of New York.

1884 Nov.

Cleveland elected President of the United States.

1885 March 4th. Inaugural Address.