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// Stephen Grover Cleveland: March 18, 1837-June 24, 1908 // // Political Party: Democrat // // Terms of Office: 1885-1889 and 1893-1897 // // Vice Presidents: Thomas A. Hendricks (1885); Adlai E. Stevenson (1893-1897) // Picture: []

Grover Cleveland was one of America’s forgotten Presidents. This was due to the fact that he had no major achievements that set him apart from other Presidents. Though there were minor pluses and minuses that occurred during his terms as President, he had no substantial effects on the United States. For this reason Grover Cleveland deserves a “C-” for his presidency. Cleveland deserves a “C-” for his terms as President because of his foreign involvement and his domestic dealings.
 * Thesis **

Grover Cleveland had many goals for his presidency. Cleveland first goal was for the federal government to manage public lands in the West. He was able to accomplish this by chartering railroads and by providing the railroads with land grants, which were intended to be used by the railroads for financing the intercontinental lines. Additionally, the Carey Act of 1894 was passed. This act dispensed federal land to the states on the stipulation that it be irrigated and settled. Cleveland also wanted to stay on the gold standard which he achieved by demanding that the Treasury sell United States Government bonds to bankers in New York City in exchange for gold. Cleveland further promised to oppose imperialism. He followed through with this goal with his participation in the Hawaii issue during his second term. After Cleveland lost the 23rd presidential election to Harrison after being the 22nd President, he was nominated again to be the 24th President. Nearing the end of Harrison’s term a treaty with Hawaii was trying to be rushed through Congress. Before it could be passed by the Senate, however, Cleveland retook office and pulled the treaty out of the Senate. He then sent an investigator to Hawaii and discovered that the majority of Hawaiians didn’t favor annexation. The annexation of Hawaii was put on the back burner until 1898 when Cleveland had left office.
 * Goals **

Cleveland was the first Democratic President in 28 years to take office. There was a majority of Republicans in the Senate when he was elected. Cleveland had an average relationship with Congress. He was able to get much accomplished; however, he also had a particularly high number of vetoes-the most of any President thus far. Cleveland eventually fired two thirds of the federal employees and hired Democrats. During Cleveland’s first term, the Dawes-Severalty Act of 1887 was passed. The Dawes-Severalty Act took out tribal ownership of Indian land and gave the head of the Indian families 160 free acres. Also, if the Indians “behaved themselves,” they would be granted citizenship in 25 years. Additionally, Congress passed the Interstate Commerce Act, which prohibited rebates and pools and made it mandatory for railroads to issue their rates openly. Also, in his first term, Cleveland vetoed the Texas Seed Bill. Congress drew up this bill to provide seeds to farmers whose crops were ruined due to drought. Cleveland supported his veto by stating, “Though the people support the government, the government should not support the people.” The tariff was another issue that Cleveland was thinking about. Cleveland felt that lower tariffs equaled lower prices for consumers and less protection for large business. This would also put an end to the surplus of the Treasury. This infuriated Cleveland’s party, the Democrats, but Republicans were greatly pleased. This issue divided the two parties and hurt Cleveland’s relationship with Congress. In Cleveland’s second term, the Sherman Silver Purchase Act was repealed due to the dropping amount of gold in the reserve Treasury. The Wilson-Gorman Tariff was passed in 1894 to lower taxes, but by the time it passed through Congress, it was infested with special-interest protection. Cleveland resentfully permitted the bill.
 * Relationship with Congress **

The most positive outcome of Cleveland’s presidency was how he handled the affair in Venezuela. The boundary line between British Guiana and Venezuela was (and had been) in dispute. A peaceful negotiation may have been achieved; however, gold was found in the undecided area. Cleveland sent Richard Olney to London to present a note stating that the British were in violation of the Monroe Doctrine by attempting to control Venezuela. The reply from London took four months and in the response, the British rejected the relevance of the Monroe Doctrine. Cleveland, therefore called for “a commission of experts” to determine were the boundary should go. Cleveland then hinted that if this boundary was not agreed to, then the United States would fight for the line. Due to outside factors such as Germany, the United States escaped war and the British received the majority of what they had professed initially. As a result of this event, the status of the Monroe Doctrine was greatly improved and bettered. Many republics in Latin America were happy with the move of the United States to protect them. A better relationship was also achieved between the United States and Britain due to this affair. Another positive outcome of Cleveland’s presidency was the Dawes-Severalty Act, which ultimately later led to the citizenship of Indians.
 * Most Positive Outcome **

The most negative outcome of Cleveland’s presidency was his dealing with J. P. Morgan, one of the heads of Wall Street. In 1893, a depression broke out that lasted nearly four years. Over building/speculation, labor disorders, and the agriculture slump all were contributing causes. Additionally, the reserve of gold in the Treasury fell below the safe minimum of $100 million. In early 1894, the reserve dropped even lower to $41 million. In order to save the gold standard and the United States international trade, Cleveland desperately turned to J. P. Morgan. Morgan finally agreed that Wall Street would loan the government $65 million in gold (and because they were in it for profit, they charged a $7 million commission’s fee). In the views of pro-silver individuals and debtors, this dealing represented the evil in American politics. Cleveland’s business with Morgan was looked at a betrayal of the national government. The Wilson-Gorman Tariff also hurt Cleveland’s reputation. The Democrats looked to lower tariffs; however, by the time the bill had gotten through Congress, it had been weighed down with special-interest protection. The Wilson-Gorman bill further hurt the Democratic Party and the Republican’s were once again pleased.
 * Most Negative Outcome **

The presidency of Cleveland impacted the future in several ways. The Dawes Severalty Act originally took out tribal ownership of the Indian’s lands and gave the head of the Indian families 160 free acres. Additionally, if the Indians “behaved themselves,” they would be granted citizenship in 25 years. This was later extended and all Indians were given full citizenship in 1924, affecting future generations of Indians. The Venezuela affair also impacted future administrations. The situation in Venezuela ultimately bettered the prestige of the Monroe Doctrine. Also, Latin American nations were pleased that the United States protected them and a better relationship with Britain was attained. The issue of the annexation of Hawaii was another issue that affected later administrations. Cleveland chose to desert the issue of the annexation of the islands, which the later administration of William McKinley had to deal with.
 * Future Impact **

In conclusion, the nation was better off at the end of Cleveland’s presidency. Most of the events that occurred during his presidency were minor proceedings; however, advantages were attained after Cleveland’s presidency. Cleveland was able put an end to the boundary affair in Venezuela, which strengthened the Monroe Doctrine. Also, the Dawes-Severalty Act ultimately led to the citizenship of Indians. On the other hand, his transactions with J. P. Morgan and the Wilson-Gorman Tariff hurt his reputation as well as the Democratic Party. Therefore, because there were both positive and negative outcomes of his presidency, Grover Cleveland deserves a “C-” for his terms as President.
 * Conclusion **

"American President: Grover Cleveland: Impact and Legacy." //Miller// //Center// //of Public Affairs//. Web. 15 Apr. 2010. . Bailey, Thomas A. //The American Pageant//. 12th ed. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. Print. "First Presidential Term - Grover Cleveland - War, Election, Foreign." //Presidents: A Reference History//. Web. 15 Apr. 2010. . "Grover Cleveland." //The White House//. Web. 14 Apr. 2010. . "Grover Cleveland?s First Inaugural Address." //Milestone Documents · Your Primary Source for Historic Texts and Analysis.// Web. 15 Apr. 2010. .
 * Biography **