Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1908-06-27

use certain inevitable advantages OF
political position for his private bene-
1T; the real claim for Cleveland was
that he denied the justice OF such ad-
vantages, and aimed to have public
affairs administered for public bene'
fit only.
March 4, 1885, began the first demo
cratic administration the nation had
seen since the civil war. During all
that period the civil service OF the gov.
ernment had been practically corps
of political organizers, paid by the ma
tional treasury and directed by the po-
litical machine.
Between the natural desire OF a sue
cessful political organization to take
into It's own hands the duties for
which their opponents had been de-
MED the confidence of the people, and
between the pledges for the strictest
civil service reform upon which Cleve'
land had been elected, the new ad'
ministration steered VeXed course.
Upon the whole it may surely be said
that reasonable demands of the re-
formers were as well, II not better
satisfied than political administrations,
hampered by practical politics, could
be expected to satisfy them.
Ugly rumors, 1t Is true came from
Indiana, where the character OF the
appointees almost scandalized the
country; In Baltimore, too, and at odd
points here and there. As general
thing, however, the aim was evidently
to decrease the evils Of rotation ana
patronage; and the result, compared
with preceding and succeeding repub.
lican administrations, was undeniable.
Reform clubs stamped 1t with their
official approval No longer upon his
promises, but upon his record. Cleve'
land was recognized as a practical
reformer, though not, perhaps, the
mugwumps' ideal.
CleVeland's tariff message of 1887
placed the party squarely on the side
OF tariff reduction, 1t brought re-
ply promptly from the defeated Repub-
lican champion, Blaine, then travelling
in Europe. The challenge was accept
ed by the Republican party, and the
succeeding campaign OF 1888 was
fought with protection the real issue.
Republican victory, obtained by a
promise to reform the tariff, in the
house Of its friends" was followed by
the Mckinley tariff bill, which raised
the duties considerably above their
former level. Then came the reaction
in the congressional elections of 1890,
prefaced by Blains's famous recipro-
city measures, and establishing be-
yond doubt that II the people were
to be suited the duties would have to
come down.
The historic message of 1887 is one
OF the great facts of Cleyeland's pub.
lie career.
The year before he wrote this his
tory-making message, Grover Cleve-
land was married in the executive
mansion to Frances Folsom, daughter
of his old partner, young and hand
some and gifted with all the qualities
that q presidents wife most needs.
She made a social success from the
start, and In her journeys with her
husband to Richmond and to Harvard
for their great celebrations she was
greeted with admiring loyalty, like
queen rather than as a presidents
wife.
After the unsuccessful campaign of
1888, Cleveland returned to his law
business, but was still the most emf,
nent man In his party. His move
ments, even the most private, were al
ways of public interest, and from time
to time in answers to public invita-.
tions and in response to unmistakable
public demands, he stated his views
upon important political crises.
Mr.. Cleveland began his second ad.
ministration in the midst Of general
business depression.
He had on his hands house which
was overwhelmingly democratic and
consequently unwleldly, a senate
which was so evenly divided that 1t
threatened to baik the work Of cur.
rency and tarif reform.
He was antagonized by the leader
OF the democracy of the Empire state
Senator Hill--whom he had defeated
in the national convention. and who
was vexed because he could not con.
troll the patronage OF New York. 9th.
ers in both houses of congress were
at odds with the president on the
question of advanced civil service
rules.
Mr.. Cleveland turned his attention
first to the financial condition Of the
country, He succeeded In his proposi.
tion to repeal the Sherman silver law
The Hawaiian imbroglio, q legacy
from the Harrison administration. was
to be acted upon. Mr.. Cleveland be-
lieved that the dusky queen OF the far
distant islands Of the Pacific had been
thrown from her throne by conspir.
acy hatched by Americans and by a
revolution which would not have
been successful II 1t had not been
countenanced to some extent by the
U. s. government.
Mr.. Cleveland finally Officially recog
nized the existence of the Hawaiian
republic.
In January, 1908. Mr.. Cleveland drew
the attention Of the country to the
position of ex-presidents by an article
he wrote advooRtipG some pecuniary
provision for former chief magistrates
which should place them above posi-
BILE embarrassment In private life. Mr.
Cleveland declared that he had amply
provided for his family and required
no aid, but he wished to impress upon
his countrymen the wisdom of lnsur
ing the comfort Of those who should
hold the ONCE Of president
His argument was that an ex-presi
dent, because OF the once he had held
was prohibited from engaging In any Oc
cupation which the American people
might consider beneath the dignity