The Washington herald., 1908-06-25

- ~S~@ 80, - v ~
land had a majority OF the popular vote.
He lost New York and Indiana, which
States were then decisive in Presidential
contests. The popular vote stood: Cleve-
land. 5,53S, 233; Harrison. 544O,2l6.
Al the short session Of Congress fol-
lowing the election. Mr.. Cleveland again.
In his annual message. advocated tariff
reduction. Ons of his most notable official
acts before surrendering office to Presi
dent Harrison was veto of the direct
tax refunding bill. Returning 10 New
York City, Mr.. Cleveland resumed practice
OF law entering into a partnership with
the firm Of Bangs, Stetson. Tracy & Mac
Neagh- lie Immediately had plenty OF
clients. and acquired competent fortune
This, however. would have been larger
ldd he not refused retainers from great
corporations. He served frequently in
the role Of arbitrator I'm litigation. While
practicing law in New York he pur-
chased mis- summer home at Buzzard's
Bay. where overy summer since he has
spent considerable time. Gray Gables"
Is located near the summer home of Joseph
Jefferson. the veteran actor. between
whom and Mr.. Cleveland there existed
tne closest ties Of friendship The vicinity
aHorded excellent fishing and duck shoot
llB ana Mr.. Cleveland was devoted 20
both those forms Of outdoor sport
As an eX-President during those four
years Of the Harrison term, Mr.. Cleveland
insisted that he had a right 10 express
his opinion upon any subject, repudiating
me popular idea that ex-Presidents
should simply exist. and be blind. deaf
ana dumb. This sentiment was expressed
In speech az Sandwich. Mass.
Mr.. Cleveland lived up TO ii during the
remainder Of his days. He was frequently
before the public In speech or writings
hereafter. not only before he became
president second time. but during the
years OF his retirement after a second
term. He continually advocated tariff
revision prior 70 the 1892 campaign. and
was equally emphatic about the danger
or free-silver schemes. which Republicans
quite as much as Democrats. had been
pressing 10 the fore One of his most
famous manifestos was that Of February
lSsl 10 the Reform Club OF New York. In
declining an invitation 70 attend a meet
ing. In that manifesto he denounced
the dangerous and reckless experiment
OF free. unlimited. and independent silver
coinage" Those outspoken utterances at
time when most other politicians OF
both parties were trimming on the silver
issue were effective In making him again
President
second Election to Presidency.
He was nominated third time for
President at Chicago in 1892 There was
great opposition 70 him among the poll
uclans, but that was overcome largely
by the magnificent generalship Of the late
William C. Whitney, who had been Secre- !
tary OF the Navy during his first ad-
ministration. Mr.. Harrison was renomi-
mated by the Republicans at Minneapolis. 1
The Mckinley tariff act was one OF the
chief issues. but the force bill. which
the Fifty-frst Congress attempted 10 en-
act was also a factor. Mr.. Cleveland
won a most sweeping victory. carrying
the States OF New York. Indiana. Wis
consin, and Illinois. the last two being
Republican strongholds. He also found
himself supported by Democratic ma
jorities in both the Senate and House. /
whereas during his first term he had a
Democratic majority in the House only.
The electoral vote was. Cleveland. 277 /
Harrison. l45: Weaver. %. The popular
vote for Cleveland was 5,556sls, for Har-
r!son. 5l76.gS
The country had already entered upon
a period OF industrial depression when /
Mr. Cleveland was inaugurated He at
once began anew % combat free silver /
Ideas and 10 urge revision OF the ,arlff |
There has been no more turbulent indus
trial and financial period during the en-
tire history OF the country than came
between lSs3 and 1891. II would be useless
reiteration 10 recount how Mr.. Cleveland
stood for maintaining a gold reserve. or
now he denounced the Wilson tariff bill
as modified by Senators German and
Brice- That bill he finally allowed % be-
come a law without his signature
AS those troublesome years recede Mr.
Cleveland's greatness as a President I'm
keeping the country from financial bank
ruptcy IS more and more generally con
ceded. He endured a storm Of the So
verest criticism, much OF II from his own |
party. He met the sad conditions fear
lessly and would not yield his views OF !
what seemed right.
In August. after his inauguration IN /
March, he called a special session OF Con |
gress 70 repeal the Sherman silver-plIr- /
chasing act. which he regarded as chiefly /
responsible for the financial Ills That act I
had become law July Z. 1890. requiring (
the purchase OF 100000 ounces Of silver /
every month. 10 be paid for in Treasury /
notes. redeemable IN gold or silver That |
law superseded the Bland act OF ISIS. re-
curing purchase OF not less than So.
10000 OF silver monthly. 10 be coined as
last as purchased into silver dollars
The Sherman act was repealed after a
most tempestuous session. at which the
Presidents differences with Senate lead
srs were emphasized
Sale of Bonds by the Treasury.
After a few months II appeared that the
'epeal OF the Sherman law did not ade
Iuately protect the gold reserve in the
Treasury. and Mr.. Cleveland resorted TO
he sale Of bonds. Between February !
S4. and the beginning OF 1896 the Treas
Try sold Sle2,3l54O0 in bonds for about
lS20oOOoO IN gold. That aroused severe
criticism. especially the sale of one issue
o a syndicate of New York bankers
Without advertising for bids. Another IA
nous act OF his second administration
vas the withdrawal from the Senate OF
reaty Of annexation with Hawaii. Mr..