The Washington herald., 1908-06-25

ument was returned to the legislature
without his signature. as was a bill. pro-
NOTED by Buffalo Democrats. 20 strength
en- their hold upon the city administra-
( tion. and a bin TO reduce TO cents all
street railroad fares in New York City
/ Many measures presented TO him involved
I important politics. but whether for OF
against his own party. he acted with
straightforward regard for the public vel
fare and for the law. He signed a bill
! placing absolute and undivided RESPONSE
bility in making appointments upon may
ors of cities This plan has. since then.
been adopted in many American cities.
II was the subject Of much agitation al
that time
II cannot be said that Mr.. Cleveland
had become a national figure when the
Democratic leaders during the spring and
summer Of 1884 began 10 consider him for
the Presidency. But his aggressive ad-
yocacy OF reform in State affairs when
reform IN national administration was
becoming a great cry. and the prospects
that he could carry New York added
| immensely 20 his availability.
He consented 70 be a candidate June 2S
| OF that year. The country was tired OF
! the self-gloriication OF the Republican
party and disgusted with the corruption
which had reared its head during Grants
second term and reappeared during
Arthur's administration. especially IN the
star-route frauds Under such conditions
Mr.. Cleveland's fearless honesty was an
unusually attractive qualification. The
Chicago convention Of July II selected
him as the Democratic nominee. The re-
suit was reached on the second ballot
Thomas a Hendricks. who was a dele
gate in the convention. received the
nomination for Vice President On the
first ballot, taken July 10, Cleveland had
392 out OF $50 votes.
His Campaign Against Blaine.
Cleveland wrote his letter Of acceptance
from Upper Saranac Lake. where he was
taking a vacation. He declared for an
administering OF the government in the
honest. simple. and plain manner which
Is consistent with its character and pur-
poses" The campaign that year was re-
markable in many particulars. the, Re
publican candidate being James C. Blaine
Gen B. F. Butler. Of Massachusetts. was
the candidate OF the Labor and Green
hack parties. The total vote was To-
067. $40. Of which Cleveland received 4
s7l. .9S6: Blaine. 4.S51.sS1: Butler. 1880. and
John 3. ST. John. the PrOhibitiOnist can
didate l50,359. Cleveland had 2l9 votes
IN the electoral college and Blaine 1S2
Mr.. Cleveland made two speeches dur
ing the campaign. one in New Jersey
and one in Connecticut Mr.. Blaine made
several speeches and waved the bloody
shirt extensively.
The country awaited the advent of the
20, 4 @f--g-
beginning OF the civil war, then almost
quarter Of a century with great in
terest Naturally. Mr.. Cleveland was the
center Of that interest 10 greater ex-
tent than any incoming President since
Lincoln. In December following the cleo
ton he pledged himself in a public letter
10 the executive committee OF the Ma
tional Civil Service Reform League TO a
fair and honest enforcement Of the civil
service law. He resigned as governor Of
New York when the legislature assembled
January 6. 1855, but continued to reside at
Albany till he started for Washington in
March.
His inauguration was the occasion OF
a great Democratic demonstration. The
oath Of Office was administered at the
east front of the Capitol by Chief Justice
Waite. His inaugural address declared
- 9NA~e NC"'iNt'AF iH uiSpuISlHS lne
finances Of the nation. for the Monroe
doctrine for the protection Of the In
dams. for the security OF the freedmen
in their rights. and for selection OF eff
cient employees In the public service.
Signed Grants Commission.
One OF his earliest acts, as President.
was the signing OF commission as gen
eral for Grant. in compliance with an act
OF Congress just passed He named as