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Stephen Grover Cleveland March 18, 1837 (Caldwell, NJ)- June 24, 1908 (Princeton, NJ) Political Party: Democrat Terms: March 4, 1885 – March 4, 1889 and March 4, 1893 – March 4, 1897 Vice Presidents: Thomas A. Hendricks (1885), No Vice President (1885-1889), Adlai Stevenson I (1893-1897)

The American Identity during Cleveland’s terms greatly impacted his decisions. At the time of his presidency America was struggling with domestic economic disputes as well as beginning to establish itself as an imperialist power. Split into two distinct groups, those for the distribution of greenbacks and the coinage of silver and those for returning to the gold standard, Americans were fighting over the coinage of money. During his first term Cleveland hoped to regain the value of gold by repealing the Bland-Allison Silver Purchase Act. Proving ineffective, Cleveland was unable to repeal the act. The issue of money followed Cleveland to his second term. The Sherman Silver Purchase Act was passed in 1890 during President Harrison’s term. When Cleveland began his second term he was faced with an economic depression. Hoping to offset this he called for the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act. The repeal caused many Americans to begin cashing in their bonds for gold; causing the federal gold reserve to suffer. The issue of gold and silver would continue to plague America and President Cleveland for the remainder of his presidency. Reaching out past United States borders revealed a global race for imperialism. During Cleveland’s terms he was faced with making decisions that were impacted by the quest for imperialism. Many Americans were calling for imperialism to boost the economy and the United States’ power. Being one to oppose territorial expansion, Cleveland was caught in a controversial position. He made decisions that proved beneficial, he made decisions that further weakened his relationship with Congress, and in one instance he was unable to make decisions at all. In any case, the United States during Cleveland’s terms was forever in search of economic gain; both internally and externally.

Being the only president to serve two inconsecutive terms, Grover Cleveland is able to say that he was both the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland was an excellent businessman and lawyer. When he came into office he brought some of his business ideals with him. While not characterized as an activist president, Cleveland was able to shape his administration into something that was honest and emitted hard work. After corruption from the Grant administration, it was just what the country needed. A supporter of economic efficiency, Cleveland was always looking to “trim the fat” out of the government policies. As a result, he often remained out of social disputes and felt that is was not the government’s responsibility to provide relief for its citizens. Unfortunately, Cleveland served as president during a depression, and many of the lower class looked to the government for help that Cleveland would not provide. Because of Cleveland’s efficiency, but lack of a solid stance on social reform, he and his administration deserve a B-.

Much like during his time in Buffalo, Cleveland looked to promote efficiency in both the government and the economy. Cleveland’s inaugural addressed showcased his pro-business attitude. Cleveland stated that he would work to reform the government through, “the application of business principles.” As aforementioned, Cleveland looked to trim the fat of the government. He worked to accomplish this by buckling down on pension claims and exercising his executive power when Congress tried to pass the “paupers bill”. In his second term Cleveland worked to reform the economy through the repeal of the Bland-Allison Silver Purchase Act, as well as reducing the tariffs. Unfortunately for Cleveland, both ventures proved unsuccessful. Although Cleveland worked to keep the government running like a well-oiled machine, he was sometimes unable to do so.

The majority party of both congressional houses during Cleveland’s two terms most often favored the Democrats. Cleveland was cautious to appoint members to his cabinet that held the same principals as he did. Although most often supported by his administration, Cleveland was known to exercise his veto powers, and he was not shy about it. Cleveland used his executive abilities to put an end to corruption, and again, stimulate an efficient economy. Towards the end of his term it was apparent that Cleveland did not hold the support of the Democrats in Congress. Because of their lack of support, Cleveland was not able to pass a reform to the tariffs, his final reform before the end of his first term. The tariff again proved problematic to Cleveland’s relationship with Congress in his second term. Following disputes over a proposed bill that would lower the McKinley tariff, Cleveland decided to let the two houses “duke it out”. As a result the bill passed without Cleveland’s signature, and only slightly lowered the tariff, much to Cleveland’s disappointment. All in all, it seems as though Cleveland did respect Congress, but when it came to decisions important to him he made sure that he would use his powers to initiate reform.

The most positive decision made by Cleveland during his presidency was his decision to get involved with the Venezuelan-British boundary dispute. Britain had attempted to claim parts of Venezuela. When this happened the government had reached out to Cleveland to help mediate the matter. Cleveland threatened Britain with war and said they were infringing upon the Monroe Doctrine. Because of pressures Britain was experiencing from other countries they agreed to accept the settlement. Cleveland’s intrusion in the matter strengthened the authority of the Monroe Doctrine and would help to improve relations with Great Britain. Grover Cleveland made many decisions that he hoped would improve government efficiency. One such decision was Cleveland’s fight to repeal the Sherman Silver Purchase Act. Cleveland fought hard to have the act repealed; he blamed it for the economic depression that first announced itself in the beginning of his second term. Upon winning the fight and repealing the act, Cleveland lost major support from his party and caused a rift between two factions inside of it. The repeal did not influence the economy like Cleveland had hoped. After it was repealed, many Americans began to cash in their bonds bought with silver for gold, which would always be worth more. The result was the rapid decline of the Federal Gold Reserve, a problem that would follow Cleveland through his final term.

One collected decision made by Cleveland during his presidency was his use of his executive power; Cleveland was infamous in Congress for the use of his veto. Cleveland exercised his executive power in over four hundred total vetoes during his presidency. At that time, that amount of vetoes from a single president was unheard of. In fact, some of his opponents attempted to use the Tenure of Office Act to limit his powers. But Cleveland would not let Congress gain the upper hand. He strictly opposed their interference, and by doing so strengthened the weakening power of the executive branch. Cleveland’s command over the executive branch would give later presidents more power in government, and helped to reach equilibrium between the legislative and executive branch.

Grover Cleveland was a man who was predominantly interested in the controlling the government as a business. He expressed very little concern for social reform, but needless to say, the country was better off after his term. Cleveland’s pro-business views helped to pass legislation that would improve economic efficiency. Although he did not gain support for his business venture with JP Morgan, it did improve the United States’ global financial standing. Cleveland’s risky endeavors in Venezuela proved beneficial as it gave the United States an unlikely relationship with Great Britain. Cleveland came into office at a time when the United States needed an honest man, and that is exactly what he was. He helped to restore respect and trust for America’s executive branch, even if he was not always supportive of the people.

Works Cited:

"American President: Grover Cleveland." //American President: Grover Cleveland//. Ed. Henry F. Graff. Miller Center, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2012. [].

Roberts, Randy. "Grover Cleveland." //The American Presidents: The Office and the Men//. Ed. Frank N. Magill. Vol. 2. Danbury: Grolier Educational Corporation, 1986. 126-41. Print. Lincoln to Hoover.