Gabriella+R.+-+GC+-+FA09

   **Grover Cleveland** March 18, 1837 - June 24, 1908 Political party: Democrat March 4, 1885 - March 3, 1889; March 4, 1893 - March 3, 1897 (2 terms) Thomas Andrews Hendricks (1st term); Adlai Ewing Stevenson (2nd term)

President Grover Cleveland isn’t one of the most well recognized presidents of this nation; however, he made many strides in office that greatly bettered the country. His role in the United States’ first attempts at foreign affairs, his dedication to preserving the Federal Treasury and the stability of the dollar, along with many other resolutions make Cleveland well deserving of a B+ when assessing his role as Commander in Chief.

During the Election of 1884, the issue of choosing a president wasn’t necessarily based on the candidates’ stances on the issues; it was mostly centered around the morality of the candidates. Cleveland’s honesty won him the respect of many voters and electorates, especially when rumors arose questioning a premarital affair surrounding Cleveland. Despite the gossip, Cleveland won the election and planned on continuing his fair and honest policies while in the White House. In his First Inaugural Address, Cleveland made it clear that he wanted to defend the rights and beliefs of the American people. He promised to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution” (1). He also stated that he wanted to stand up for the working middle class citizens and give them more of a say in governmental affairs. Cleveland’s accomplishments during this first term were very true to his goals. His institution of the Interstate Commerce Act and his attempts to lower the high tariff proved his dedication and loyalty to the people.

However, upon the eve of the Election of 1892, the issue of the tariff was the nation’s central focus. Cleveland’s platform strongly supported a reduction of the tariff and Cleveland worked hard to reassure voters that he was not in favor of absolute free trade, in order to win the support of business owners. In Cleveland’s Second Inaugural Address, he spoke on behalf of a stable currency and a preservation of the nation’s gold supply in the Federal Treasury. He also said that he wanted to help the people as much as he could without fully supporting them economically. Cleveland fulfilled these goals with the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, the acceptance of a loan from J.P. Morgan to increase the wealth of the Federal Treasury, and the implementation of the Wilson-Gorman Act.

Cleveland had an interesting relationship with Congress; at times, the relationship could be deemed positive, at other times negative. Cleveland won the majority of the support of the Electoral College handily in both elections. However, there were two major instances where Congress and Cleveland frequently butt heads, the institution of pensions and the tariff. In his first term, Cleveland constantly vetoed bills in favor of creating pensions. He referred to these bills as an unneeded drain of the Federal Treasury. Cleveland also fervently argued for a large reduction of the tariff, as promised in his platform. Republicans continually combated with Cleveland’s wishes by saying that the tariff was essential to the protection of businesses and the wages of laborers. Ultimately, no action was taken to reduce the tax.

In Cleveland’s second term, only one dispute with Congress comes to mind, the Hawaii issue. Many Americans at the time felt that Hawaii should have been taken over by America and annexed to the Union. However, Cleveland withdrew this treaty from Senate consideration. Overall, however, Cleveland the Congress had a much better relationship during his second term compared to his first.

Cleveland’s positive actions while in office all fall in line to his platforms during the elections and his promises made in his Inaugural Addresses. His approval of the Presidential Succession Act, the Interstate Commerce Act, and the Hatch Act, as well as his role in the Hawaii issue, the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, the Wilson-Gorman Act, and the Venezuela dispute are all positive effects that he left on the nation. In his first term, the Presidential Succession Act and the Hatch Act were implemented to make a more permanent line of succession to the presidency and to provide federal funds to colleges in support of the study of agriculture, similar to Lincoln’s Morrill Act. The Interstate Commerce Act was a huge positive aspect of Cleveland’s administration because he created the Interstate Commerce Commission or ICC. This board served as a federal regulatory agency that was responsible for ensuring the fair and legal practices of railroad companies. The ICC later grew into a more powerful agency, under the administration of Theodore Roosevelt, proving this act’s longevity.

In Cleveland’s second administration, his most significant positive effect on the nation was his role in the creation of the stability of American currency. His important decision to repeal the Sherman Silver Purchase Act put the Treasury in great jeopardy because it would result in a large drop of the nation’s gold supply. However, Cleveland believed that a move to the gold standard would stabilize currency. As time went on, the Treasury’s gold supply dwindled and Cleveland made the pivotal decision to acquire a loan from bank giant J.P. Morgan of $65 million in gold to stabilize and boost the nation’s gold supply in the Treasury. This move, although disturbing to some, helped regulate America’s economy and get it back on track. Another major positive aspect to Cleveland’s administration was his role in foreign affairs. Along with his role in the decision not to annex Hawaii in 1898, Cleveland also played a vital role in the Venezuela border dispute. When Britain and Venezuela were arguing over the proper border between British land and Venezuelan territory, the US stepped in and encouraged a peaceful compromise to the dispute. This, being one of America’s first dabbles in international affairs, was a positive start to America’s reputation as being an influential world power. The Wilson-Gorman Act also put Cleveland’s administration in a positive light because it lowered the extremely high tariff from 48% to 41% as well as providing for a federal income tax; however, ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

The biggest negative decision made by the Cleveland administration was that Cleveland was in office during the Panic of 1893. During this time, gold reserves were terrifyingly low, a poor crop harvest was cultivating in the South and West, and an economic slump was occurring in Europe. Many businesses went bankrupt and numerous riots broke out, including Coxey’s Army rebellion. This group of unemployed workers petitioned in Washington D.C. unsuccessfully for a public works program. Even though this was a low time in the nation’s history, Cleveland did a good job in coming back from this depression.

Cleveland’s role in America’s international affairs, his role in the stabilization of the nation’s currency, and the creation of the ICC are all actions that had a lasting effect on future generations. Cleveland helped to establish America as a world power in terms of imperialism. Cleveland’s decision to repeal the Sherman Silver Purchase Act helped the future of the nation because it helped stabilize currency and put the nation back on the gold standard. Most importantly, Cleveland’s creation of the ICC put the nation’s first regulation agency into place. This was the first ever commission in the US that held monopolistic businesses responsible for their actions.

In conclusion, the nation was better off at the end of Cleveland’s presidency. With the new regulations put on businesses and a strengthened American dollar, the working class society was put in the position to flourish and grow. Cleveland also set the standard for American foreign policy and made for a positive welcome to the stage of imperialism and American international relations. Overall, despite some bad points in the nation’s history such as the Panic of 1893, Cleveland’s presidency is well deserving of a B+ because of all the many positive aspects of his presidency.

DeGregorio, William. __The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents__. Fort Lee: Barricade. 2005. **
 * Bibliography

