Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1884-07-19

No. %.
! MAYOR OF BUFFALO.
Mr.. Cleveland was the democratic
candidate for the Office of Mayor Of
Buffalo i'll November, 1881, and was
elected by an unprecedented majority,
running upward of 5000 ahead of the
state ticket, and leading every candi-
date for local offices. His admininstra-
ton was marked by rare ability and
judgment, and his courage in dealing
with reckless and corrupt measures
won him the respect Of all classes Of
citizens. Wasteful and corrupt meas
ures were always vetoed and effectual-
ly killed. Not an enactment was pass
ed over his veto. The veto of the no.
torious street cleaning award alone
saved the city $lO9,000.
He passed the first few weeks of his
term Of Office in atientively studying
the details of every department Of the
city administration. His previous ex-
periences as assistant district attorney
and as sheriff taught him what to look
for and where to look for it. He found
toned by long habit aud immunity,
fiourishing as usual. One morning he
surprised the city by issuing an order
that all the officials should keep strict
business hours, like the employees OF
private firms. Before the Office hold
ers had recovered from this shock he
began series of vetoes which equally
astonished the common council. This
board had republican majority and
attempted to override the vetOes, but
Mayor Cleveland's terse, logical, bnsi-
nesslike messages were published, and
public opinion was too strong for OPP
position councilmen. They attempted
to entrap him by passing resolution
apportioning for the celebration OF
Decoration Day a sum of money re-
served by the charter for other pur-
poses, believing that Mayor Cleveland
would not dare to interfere with Dec
Grafton Day, OF that he would become
unpopular if he did. Down came the
veto as promptly as ever, and in his
message the mayor SO thoroughly ex-
posed the trick that his popularity, in
stead OF diminishing, rapidly increased.
His administration Of the Office fully
justified the partiality of the friends
who insisted upon nominating him, and
vindicated the good Judgment Of the
people who SO powerfully insisted upon
electing him. 1t is not too much to say
that in the first half of the first year he
almost revOlutioniZed BuffalO's muni-
cipal government. With no more pow
er than his predecessors had, he inau-
gurated reforms before only hoped for,
and corrected abuses which had be-
come almost venerable. Accounts
against the city were thoroughly au-
dited, since he pointed out what is re-
quired of an officer whose duty it is to
audit. The wholesome rule Of COM
petition was adopted for important
work that used to be given ont in the
form of political patronage. So far as
one man can see, he saw to it that the
city got the full value of its money.
He knew his power and was not afraid
to use it. He conquered the most cor
rupt combinations ever formed in the
council and rebuked the conspiratOrs in
terms that brought the blush of shame
to the most braZen of aldermen. His
veto messages have become municipal
classics. Knowing his duty, he faith
fully performed it.
| IONkhNon Ut NEW 1onh.
The earliest reports from the demo.
cratic state convention of 1882 spoke OF
the nomination of Mayor Cleveland fol
governor of the state of New York as
a surprise. 1t was no surprise to the
men who proposed the nomination
He had been fighting the petty thieves
of the Buffalo municipality for year
and the people of that section wanted
him to fight The big thieves Of the state
government. The tier of four coun'
ties, of which Erie is the chief, sent
their delegates to the convention
pied 5ed to vote for Grover Cleveland
and fer nobody else. They knew theil
man, aud soon taught the convention to
know him. On the morning after the
nomination of Grover Cleveland the
Buffalo Express, the leading republi
can newspaper i'll the interior of the
state, announced that it would support
him instead of the republican candi
date. Within a week many other lead
ing republican organs and politician.
took the same bold ground. Republi-
cams-so divided upon almost every
other subject, rs District Attorney
Woodford AMI George William Curtis
agreed in repudiating the Folger anG
forgery ticket. Thousands of republi.
cans, led by the Young Mems Club. O
Brooklyn, voted for Grover Cleveland
aid thousands more refrained from
J voting for any governor. He swept the
!. state like tidal wave, carrying all be
fore him, and being elected by ma
jnrity over Folger of 1872 1854.
AS governor his independence an(
honesty insured his popularity. H,
wild be always remembered as the maj
f who signed the seven reform bills fol
the city of New York, which gainet
, him the undying enmity of Kelly ant
his gang, which took away all powe
from the board Of aldermen and whicl
are destined TO cleanse the political at
mosphere of the city.
+ The administration Of Grover Cleve
! land as governor has been highly salts
! factory and fully in accordance witt
his views expressed in his letter &C
, cepting the nomination. All the ap
pointments to Office which he has mad
bear the stamp OF that high, conscieil
tious spirit which has always actuate'
him. His industry IS beyond all ques
ton. Never has there been man les
approachable by politicians in quest G
! fat offices. His moral courage is q cal
r as witness his veto Of the five cent tar
+ bill, which he treated regardless of tn
shower OF abuse which he knew to b
coming. Many OF his other vetoes hav
y been siugularly objectionable to New
y York ward politicians. Many of tn
! bills he has signed have had lik
effect. For instance, those curtailin
a the emoluments of the county clerk, G
the register and of the sheriff. Ii b
q is elected president he may be expect
: ed to follow in the path OF political rec
q titude which has always distinguishe
+ him, and he will be opposed by non
: but the schemers and tricksters of hi
= party.
CLEVELAND AND KELLY.
e Governor Cleveland and John Kell
Il had memorable contention last fal
y IL arose from the following letter whic
II the governor sent to John Kelly, an
Il which was afterward published in fat
c s,iniIe i'll the organ of the Tamman
: Boss. Mr.. Grady, the gentleman allud
e ell to, had been virulently hostile to tn
If governor in the state legislature all
l. had rendered himself also PERSONAL