Jeffrey K. Smith > Quotes

“Cleveland’s friend, Charles Goodyear, asked the angry and embarrassed presidential candidate how the Democratic Party should handle the Halpin scandal. “Whatever you do, tell the truth,” Cleveland emphatically replied. Meanwhile, the New York State Democratic Party Chairman instructed Cleveland’s supporters to simply keep quiet about the scandal.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Morrison R. Waite, administered the oath using the new President’s personal Bible, which was inscribed: “My son, Stephen Grover Cleveland—from his loving Mother.” For the remainder of his time as President, Cleveland would store the Bible in the upper left hand drawer of a desk recently gifted by Queen Victoria as a token of appreciation for America’s participation in the search of Artic explorer, John Franklin, who disappeared in the late 1840s, while attempting to discover the Northwest Passage.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“Taking Halpin’s claims seriously, Cleveland arranged to meet with her in person. During that meeting, Halpin claimed that Cleveland “told me that he would do everything which was honorable and righteous” and “promised me that he would marry me.” Cleveland, however, repeatedly denied any promise of marriage. Reverend Avery, who had never met Cleveland, eventually contacted the alleged father-to-be. Cleveland “acknowledged his fault” to the pastor, and promised to provide financial assistance to Halpin, even though he was not certain that he was the actual father of her child.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“President Cleveland was highly impressed by a speech Booker T. Washington delivered at the Atlanta Cotton Exposition; the well-respected author, educator, and orator advocated the education of his black brethren (particularly in trade fields), without seeking social equality. Cleveland wrote Washington soon after his address: “Your words cannot fail to delight and encourage all who wish well for the race.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“On the night of December 15, 1873, after dining out, Halpin reported that Cleveland escorted her back to Randall’s boarding house, where they had sex, “by use of force, without my consent.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“Unwilling to permit catastrophic civil obedience, President Cleveland sought and received a federal court injunction against the strike on July 2nd, which ordered Debs and the other union members “absolutely to desist and refrain from in any way or manner interfering with, hindering, obstructing, or stopping, any of the business of any of the railroads as common carriers of passengers and freight between or among a number of states…” When the strikers failed to obey the injunction, Cleveland not only authorized Attorney General Olney (a former railroad lawyer) to appoint a special counsel, Edwin Walker, to assist the U.S. Attorney in Chicago, but also dispatched 3,600 special deputies, funded by the General Manager’s Union (GMA), to the Chicago area, to operate railroads under federal government control. The President’s decision was made in spite of Governor Altgeld’s protests that local authorities could handle the disruption of mail service.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“A majority of the convention delegates jubilantly agreed: “Grover! Grover! In he comes, out they go; (and) then we’ll be in clover!” The delegates nominated former Illinois Congressman and one-time Postmaster General of the United States, Adlai Stevenson, as Cleveland’s running mate (Stevenson’s grandson, also named Adlai, would run unsuccessful presidential campaigns against Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956). Unlike Cleveland, Stevenson favored free coinage of silver, but his nomination as the vice-presidential candidate was a politically savvy concession to the pro-silver wing of the Democratic Party.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“Henry Ward Beecher, who regularly ministered to more than 2,500 parishioners at Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, also came to Cleveland’s defense. Reverend Beecher had never been hesitant to use the pulpit to speak out against corruption in government, support women’s suffrage, and denounce slavery. Having previously confessed to committing adultery, Beecher commiserated with Cleveland, and declared that the Democratic presidential candidate had repented for his “immoral” behavior. In Beecher’s opinion, if every man who had committed adultery voted for the Democratic presidential candidate, Cleveland would be elected by a 200,000-vote majority. “I am going to stand by the Governor,” the minister proclaimed.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“A group of 16 prominent Republican Mugwamps in Buffalo issued a public statement: “Our examination of the general charges which have been made against Grover Cleveland’s character shows that they are wholly untrue. In every instance in which the reports and insinuations have been tangible enough to furnish us a clue to guide us in our investigations, they have positively proved to be false. The attack upon Governor Cleveland’s character is thoroughly discredited when we consider the sources from which it came.” In the end, most Mugwamps decided to support Cleveland, contending that bribery was a far worse sin than fathering an illegitimate child.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“On February 8, 1886, Cleveland signed into law the Indian Emancipation Act, which authorized discontinuation of Native American reservations. The President firmly believed that assimilation into American culture was in the best interest of both white settlers and Native Americans, proclaiming that “barbarism and civilization cannot live together.” Under the mandates of the new law, in all government-run schools, English would be the only language taught.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“girlfriend, and most of his intimate encounters had been with women of less than stellar reputations.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“If Cleveland were elected, the Republicans predicted that low tariffs would wreck the economy, public credit would be ruined, businesses would collapse, the Supreme Court would be radically reorganized, a number of constitutional amendments would be repealed, Reconstruction policies would be reversed in favor of the Democratic South, prohibition would be imposed, and veterans’ pensions would be totally eliminated.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“In addition to civil service reform, honesty, and frugality, Cleveland proposed that a “government of the people” would best be served by a constitutional amendment to limit the President to serving a single term. Unwilling to be outdone by Cleveland on the subject of civil service reform, James Blaine proposed that consular appointments should be depoliticized and not automatically terminated with changes in presidential administrations.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“The Tenure of Office Act, passed in 1867 on the strength of Reconstruction-era Radical Republican votes, mandated that the Senate must consent to the President’s removal of any governmental official who had been previously confirmed by that legislative body. By law, the President could “suspend” officials in the Executive or Judicial branches of government for “misconduct or crime,” pending a full investigation by the Senate. If the Senate was in recess when the President suspended an office holder, all charges and evidence were to be reported to the Senate within 30 days of Congress reconvening. If the Senate disagreed with the President’s decision, the suspended official would be automatically reinstated.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“On January 14, 1893, 160 Marines came ashore from the U.S. warship Boston. Bolstered by two artillery pieces, the Marines assisted the Outlanders, who deposed Queen Liliuokalani in a bloodless coup. Ambassador Stevens immediately recognized a new provisional government, raised the American flag over government buildings, and disenfranchised native Hawaiians.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“The Tenure of Office Act was finally repealed by Congress in March of 1887. In 1926, the U.S. Supreme Court settled the issue, once and for all, declaring the law unconstitutional.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“Rather than increasing the country’s money supply via government spending on public works programs (the very essence of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1930s New Deal), Cleveland believed that Americans lacked confidence that their paper money was backed by sufficient gold reserves.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“A sea Captain, George Reinhart, who had learned that the Assistant District Attorney was searching for a conscript, was responsible for setting up a meeting between Beniski and Cleveland. For a lump sum of $150, Beniski agreed to serve as Cleveland’s replacement. Ever cautious and frugal, Cleveland waited until Beniski took his military oath of office before paying him. Beniski began his three-year enlistment as a Private in the F Company of the 76th New York Regiment, and was deployed to Virginia. Within days of his enlistment, Beniski seriously injured himself unloading a supply wagon, and was transported to a military hospital in Washington, D.C. Beniski was then transferred to a civilian hospital on David’s Island, near New Rochelle, New York, where he was diagnosed with testicular torsion.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“George Curtis once again came to the defense of the Democratic presidential candidate: “Well, from what I hear, I gather that Mr. Cleveland has shown high character and great capacity in public life, but that in his private life his conduct has been open to discussion, while, on the other hand, Mr. Blaine in public life has been weak and dishonest, while he seems to have been an admirable husband and father. The conclusion I draw from these facts is that we should elect Mr. Cleveland to the public office which he is so admirably qualified to fill, and remove Mr. Blaine to the private life, which he is so eminently fitted to adorn.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“As the couple departed the White House on the morning of Harrison’s inauguration, Frances offered parting words to White House usher, Jerry Smith: “Now, Jerry, I want you to take good care of all the furniture and ornaments in the house, for I want to find everything just as it is now, when we come back again.” A puzzled Smith asked when the outgoing First Family planned to return. “We are coming back four years from today,” Frances boldly answered.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“When his opponents accused Cleveland of being a Civil War draft dodger, he angrily risked alienating members of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), which boasted a nationwide membership of 500,000. Cleveland’s attack against military veterans was uncharacteristic for a politician, at any level, in the late 19th century: “I am sick and tired of this old soldier business. You fellows have been well-taken care of, and I am opposed to it on principle.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“With the Union Army needing as many soldiers as possible to wage war against the Confederacy, Congress passed the Conscription Act of 1863, which mandated that all healthy men between the ages of 18 and 35 (or 45, if unmarried) were required to serve in the military, find a substitute, or pay the federal government a $300 “commutation.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“The labor unrest that had plagued the Harrison Administration persisted into Cleveland’s presidency. The Pullman strike of 1894 epitomized the contentious relationship between management and labor. George Mortimer Pullman designed the first railroad sleeping car, which made overnight train trips much more comfortable for travelers.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“Sanford Dole, the son of American missionaries who was born in Hawaii, but attended college and law school in the mainland, was appointed President of the Hawaiian Republic. On February 15, 1983, with Americans firmly in control of the government, President Harrison’s Secretary of State, James G. Blaine, drafted a treaty to annex Hawaii and submitted it to the Senate for ratification. The annexation of Hawaii had considerable support in the mainland.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“On the morning of July 1st, Secretary of War Lamont and E.C. Benedict were ferried to the Oneida, where they would remain on deck in clear view, as if enjoying a pleasure cruise. After Cleveland ate breakfast, the physicians repeatedly irrigated and disinfected his mouth in preparation for surgery. Doctors Bryant and Keen were particularly concerned about administering anesthesia to their 56-year-old obese patient, fearing respiratory and cardiovascular complications.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“The newly-elected Sheriff soon reassigned Smith, who was an excellent administrator, and gave him responsibility for managing the day-to-day operations of the department. Cleveland then took direct aim at the corrupt contractors who sold food and fuel to the county jail. Using a tape measure, the Sheriff would measure the length of firewood deliveries to make sure the department was not being short-changed by suppliers. Under Cleveland’s leadership, the Erie County Sheriff’s office was transformed into an incorruptible, smooth-running operation. During his tenure as Sheriff, Cleveland was tasked with executing two convicted murderers. By law, the Sheriff had to hang condemned prisoners or pay a deputy $10 to perform the unenviable task. While he was not opposed to capital punishment, Cleveland found executions extremely unpleasant, but was unwilling to delegate the duty. Furthermore, Cleveland considered it a waste of the tax payers’ money to hire a stand-in executioner. In the words of local Judge, Albert Haight, shirking duty “wasn’t Grover Cleveland’s way.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“Elected Vice-Archon of the society, which was christened the “Gymnasium”, Grover often judged debates, one of which questioned if the Catholic Church and its teachings were a threat to the United States.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“All Pullman Palace Car Company laborers were required to live in the company town, even though the rent on their houses was 25 percent higher than that of neighboring municipalities. Pullman also charged his workers 10 cents per 1,000 gallons of water; water that he purchased in Chicago for four-cents-per-gallon. Company stores, which served the town, charged higher prices than retail merchants in nearby communities. While George Pullman may have considered his employees’ accommodations Utopian, many viewed it as frank exploitation.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“To dramatize his cause, Coxey proposed that jobless Americans walk across the country to Washington D.C. and present a “living petition” to Congress. Among the first to sign up as one of Coxey’s “marchers” was Carl Browne, a bearded California theosophist, who believed in reincarnation and claimed that he physically resembled Jesus Christ.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President

“On November 25, 1885, having not yet completed the first year of his vice-presidential term, 66-year-old Thomas Hendricks unexpectedly died in his sleep, while visiting his home state of Indiana. After he was informed of this “distressing fact,” President Cleveland publicly praised the “eminent and varied services” of “this high official and patriotic servant,” and issued a proclamation decreeing a one-month period of national mourning for Hendricks. The following month, during his Annual Message to Congress, Cleveland recommended establishment of a clearly delineated line of succession, in the event that the President and Vice-President died or became incapacitated. Based upon the President’s recommendations, on January 19, 1886, Congress passed the Presidential Succession Act, which established a formal order of succession after the Vice-President.”
― Jeffrey K. Smith, Grover Cleveland: The Last Conservative Democratic President