Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-06-24
GROVER CLEVELAND.

Tho only surviving ex-president or
The United States died this morning.
Grover Cleveland, twice elected to the
presidency. the second time with the
largest majority received by any presi-
dent up to that time, was one of the
best known, most respected, and most
typical OF Americans.
In public life. his career was remark
able. II was the somewhat familiar
story In American life OF q rise from
Ubscurity and poverty in boyhood, to
the highest offices in state and nation
OF the maturity OF his powers AS may
or, governor of New York and President
OF the United States, his record stands
before the world untarnished--a ylndi.
cation of the cause OF a government
for, by and Of the people.
Notwithstanding the great division in
his own party on the silver question
which finally led to its fall from power.
when Cleveland was succeeded by Nc
Kinley Mr.. Cleveland's administra-
tons were among the most notable in
the nations history.
Tho steady progress of the nation in
the arts and Industries OF peace. the
reform OF the civil service, the begin
nings of the national system of fores-
try. were all distinct achievements OF
the Cleveland administrations.
The great object on which President
Clevelands heart was set, however.
the issue upon which he was once de-
feated. but a second time elected, that.
Al.
system Of taxation. and more specially
of tariff reform, he has passed away
without seeing accomplished.
The reform of the tariff, the most DIFF
ficult undertaking ever essayed by
statesmen In this or any other coun-
try was the leading issue of Mr.. Cleve-
lands third race for the presidential
chair which he won by a very large
majority. AS his party was about TO
enter upon the reform OF the tariff
certain grave questions arising out OF
the decentralization of silver, and of a
worldwide money panic that swept
over Europe, and North and South Am
erica. and affected also countries more
remote, suddenly engrossed public at
tention; and tariff reform pro-
crossed but slowly. The Demo-
cratic House at length framed a
bill providing substantial reductions
In tariff schedules, particularly In iron,
iron and steel manufactures, and WOOL
en- and other forms of clothing This
measure was called the Wilson bill
When II WAS sent to the Senate, a Curl
Gus fate befell it; the bill was altered
almost beyond recognition, and its
proposed tariff reductions were greatly
lessened. In the Senate the Democrats
had a bare majority; two OF their mem-
hers on most of the tariff schedules
voted with the Republicans; and the
general scheme of tariff revision out
lined by the President was so greatly
modified as to amount to at least a
partial defeat of his plans. Meanwhile
the financial panic had eliminated.
about the spring of 1893. some months
before the Wilson bill went into opera
ton, The hard times" were laid at
the door of the Cleveland administers
ton, and the popular majorities. re-
enforced, swung to the Republican side.
ideals of reform to the end of his life.
He was very friendly with Utah and
its people. and refused TO join In the
popular denunciation OF the times
against the Mormon hierarchy" and
State Constitution OF Utah, adopt
ed in 1895. was signed by Presi-
dent Cleveland on January 4, 1896,
when Utah became the forty-fifth state
In the Union.
After leaving the White House. the
President practiced law and was very
successful In his profession. His COM
ments upon current events were always
eagerly sought and he continued to the
end of his busy life 10 be one OF the
foremost citizens of all the world In
him the nation loses one OF her best
and mightlest men, vast circle OF
personal aequaintanees lose steady
friend. ana the world AT large a man
OF great powers of mind and body, and
of the most rugged honesty and can
dor.