Grover Cleveland Second Term Event Timeline

Grover Cleveland (24) Second Term Event Timeline

03/04/1893 – 03/04/1897

1892

06/21/1892 - 06/23/1892

Democratic National Convention meets in Chicago. On 06/22/1892, Cleveland wins the nomination on the first ballot, with Adlai Stevenson as vice-presidential candidate.

07/20/1892

Cleveland remarks upon being notified of the nomination.

09/26/1892

Cleveland Letter of acceptance of the nomination.

11/08/1892

Election Day. Cleveland wins 62.4% of the Electoral College and 46.0% of the popular vote defeating incumbent Benjamin Harrison (43% popular, 33% electoral) and Populist Party nominee James B. Weaver (8.5% popular, 5% electoral)

1893

02/10/1893

In this period, there was increasing public concern about abandonment of the gold standard, leading by attempts by banks and the public to accumulate gold.

03/04/1893

Inaugural Address. Cleveland becomes the first and (so far!) only president to serve two non-consecutive terms. His inaugural address focuses on tariff for public revenue, sound currency, and civil service reform.

On taking office, the Administration found only $101 Million in gold and around $25 Million in other forms of currency.

03/09/1893

Special Message withdrawing from Hawaiian Annexation treaty for the purpose of reexamination of the terms and conditions of formation of the new government. This treaty had been approved near the end of President Harrison's term.

04/20/1893

Treasury Secretary John G. Carlisle creates a backlash when he is prominently quoted saying that "greenback" Treasury notes will be redeemed in gold coin "for so long as it [the Treasury] has gold lawfully available for that purpose." He is credited with causing stocks to fall and interest rates to rise.

04/23/1893

In response to the outcry raised by Carlisle, Cleveland issues a statement asserting the determination of the President and the Cabinet "to maintain the public credit, to keep the public faith, and to preserve the parity between gold and silver."

05/01/1893

Opens World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, IL. Cleveland gives the opening day address.

05/04/1893

Panic of 1893 begins after the National Cordage Company and Philadelphia and Reading Railroads go bankrupt. The economic crisis is a major blow to the new Democratic Administration. The bankruptcies and fears about gold lead to bank runs.

06/18/1893

A malignant tumor is discovered on the roof of President Cleveland’s mouth. A decision is made to keep the President's condition secret out of concern that knowledge might exacerbate the financial crisis.

06/30/1893

Proclamation calling a special session of Congress to handle the economic crisis through tariff reform and the repeal of the silver-purchase law.

07/01/1893

Cleveland undergoes a secret operation aboard the yacht Oneida, in the East River of New York to remove his tumor and part of his jaw. Rumors began to spread about the operation in August of 1893. The operation was confirmed publicly only in 1917. It has been reported that subsequently Cleveland "lost much of his old energy, was often irritable and suffered some loss of hearing."

08/08/1893

Special Session Message to Congress amid debates about the gold standard and the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890. Cleveland informs Democratic Senators that he will ignore their patronage requests if they oppose his call for repeal.

09/09/1893

Daughter Esther is born at the White House--the first and only child born in the White House.

09/16/1893

Fourth Oklahoma "Land Rush" by settlers to acquire 7 million acres of the "Cherokee Strip" created in 1836 for the use of the Cherokee tribe. The US purchased the land from the tribe for $7 million.

11/01/1893

Signs an act formally repealing the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890 (28 Stat 4). The purpose of this Act is to stop the drain on U.S. gold reserves. This is a notable success for the Cleveland administration--the bill passed despite an opposition filibuster in the form Cleveland demanded. This is a forceful repudiation of traditional party leadership.

11/07/1893

Colorado gives voting rights to women by popular referendum.  

12/04/1893

First Annual State of the Union Message of Cleveland’s second term. Cleveland writes that there is no backward step on tariff question and new tariff bill is warmly endorsed. Favors small tax on incomes of corporations to not impose a burden on personal incomes. The actions of Ex-Minister to Hawaii John L. Stevens are disavowed. The President mentions the Bureau of Immigration and reports on numbers of arrivals at US ports.

12/18/1893

Special Message further discussing US relations with Hawaii.

1894

01/17/1894

The United States offers $50 million of treasury bonds for sale (at 5%) with the aim of increasing gold reserves, which is of great concern to the Cleveland administration. The sale is ultimately unsuccessful. (Friedman and Schwartz in Monetary History that to avoid deflation, the administration would have had to abandon the gold standard. See p. 111.)

03/25/1894 - 05/01/1894

Organized by Ohio businessman Jacob Coxey, a march of thousands to Washington D.C. begins in Massillon, Ohio. Marchers call on the federal government to take action to alleviate the economic depression by providing the unemployed with worthwhile jobs. Coxey proposed a public works program ("Good Roads Bill"). On reaching Washington, "Coxey's Army" was quickly dispersed by police.

05/11/1894

The American Railway Union (ARU) begins a strike against the Pullman Company that eventually included any handling of Pullman cars by ARU workers.

06/28/1894

Signs an act to make Labor Day a national holiday (28 Stat 96). This is a conciliatory gesture towards the American labor movement amid railway strikes.

07/04/1894

The provisional government of Hawai’i declares the Republic of Hawai’i, which is formally recognized by the United States on 08/08/1894.

07/08/1894

Proclamation sending federal troops to Chicago to break the Pullman railway strikes, a national railroad strike and boycott that severely disrupted rail traffic in the Midwest. The strike had disrupted US mail delivery--a federal function--which was the grounds for sending troops. This marks the first time an injunction was used to break a strike. American Railway Union leader Eugene Debs was arrested for ignoring the injunction.

08/28/1894

Congress passes the Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act (28 Stat 509), which raises income taxes to 2% on all income over $4000 and on all corporate income above operating expenses. Cleveland withholds his signature but does not veto. That is a rare presidential course of action.

09/25/1894

Proclamation granting amnesty and pardon for members of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints for polygamy, bigamy, adultery, and unlawful cohabitation.

11/06/1894

In midterm elections, Cleveland's Democratic Party suffers a historic defeat. In the House they go from holding 218 seats to only 93 (i.e., from 61% majority to 26% minority). In the Senate, Democrats lose the majority, going from 44 to 40 seats (out of a total of 90 seats; 4 Populists, 2 Silvers). Cleveland recommends repeal of sugar differential and endorsement of free coal and free iron bills.

11/09/1894

A second bond sale is decided by Cleveland to try to stabilize gold reserves, instead of waiting for Congress to act. The purpose of this sale was to restore the gold reserve and maintain good deficiencies until the new tariff can provide revenue. Like the first sale, this one is unsuccessful.

12/03/1894

Second Annual State of the Union Message. Questions surrounding the currency of the nation remain, legislation is proposed. With respect to the tariff, Cleveland recommends repeal of differentials in favor of refined sugar and removing tariffs on coal iron.

1895

01/28/1895

Message to Congress. Asks the legislative branch to act so that confidence can be restored in the financial soundness of the United States. A plan was proposed during the annual message that Congress had failed to approve, prompting this message.

02/08/1895

Special Message to Congress. Concerns over the U.S. financial condition prompts a third Treasury bond sale to try to restore the U.S. gold reserves and validate the credit of the government. In this sale, Cleveland is forced to turn to J.P. Morgan, who buys bonds in exchange for $62 million of European gold. This saved the gold reserves, but disappointed opponents of the gold standard.

02/08/1895

Proclamation prohibiting the hunting of fur-bearing animals in the territory of Alaska. This continues a trend established during Harrison’s presidency.

02/25/1895

The New York Times reports on growing Cuban insurrection against Spain. The uprising affects US investments and is over time encouraged by Cubans expatriates in the U.S.

05/20/1895

In Pollock v. Farmers' Loan and Trust Co., by a 5-4 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court nullifies the income tax law set forth in the Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act.

05/27/1895

The Supreme Court Rules, 9-0, in In re Debs that the federal government--i.e., the president--could legally intervene to protect interstate commerce and the US mail, and that the court did have the authority to issue an injunction preventing federal functions. Debs was guilty of defying the injunction. The court wrote, "The strong arm of the national government may be put forth to brush away all obstructions to the freedom of interstate commerce or the transportation of the mails."

06/12/1895

Proclamation declares sympathy for Cuban rebels after they revolt against Spanish rule but announces official US neutrality in the matter.

07/07/1895

Daughter Marion is born at Gray Gables, Buzzards Bay, MA.

12/02/1895

Third Annual State of the Union Message. The two major topics of this address are foreign relations and finances. He notes that the boundary dispute between Venezuela and Great Britain is becoming more concerning and calls for protection and safety for Americans in Turkey. There is a call for greenbacks to be promptly retired. Cleveland voices a plea for sound money and increased circulation for the National Banks. With respect to Cuba, he decries the continuing insurrection, which is supported by many in the United States, involves "material damage" to the US, and challenges the stance of neutrality. He urges an end to armed conflict and restoration of "order and quiet."

12/17/1895

By Special Message, further discusses Venezuelan-British dispute. The boundary of British Guiana [sic] is the main source of tension between the two countries. The United States discusses becoming an arbitrator between the two countries.

1896

01/04/1896

By Proclamation, admits Utah to the Union as the 45th state. The act that allowed Utah to form a constitution and State government was passed by Congress on 07/16/1894.

01/06/1896

A fourth sale of treasury bonds in support of buying gold is announced and ultimately expands the federal debt to $262 million.

04/25/1896

Vetoes an act granting a pension to Frances E. Hoover. The House overrode the veto on 05/21/1896 and the Senate overrode the veto on 06/10/1896. Cleveland argued that Hoover’s condition was not related to his service in the military.

05/19/1896

Vetoes an act granting a pension to Caroline D. Mowatt. The House overrode the veto on 02/09/1897 and the Senate overrode the veto on 03/03/1897. Mowatt, the widow of a Civil War soldier, had remarried, which terminated her pension rights.

05/18/1896

In Plessy v. Ferguson, by a 7-1 vote, the Supreme Court upholds the rights of state governments to impose racial segregation. This becomes known as “separate but equal.” The dissent, by Justice Harlan argued that all citizens should have equal access to civil rights.

05/21/1896

Vetoes an act granting a pension to Rachel Patton. This case involved the pension rights of a civil war widow. Patton had remarried—thereby losing her right to a pension—and then divorced the second husband. The bill was to restore her pension rights, which Cleveland pointed out were clearly forfeited under the law. The House overrode the veto on 02/09/1897 and the Senate overrode the veto on 03/03/1897.

05/29/1896

Vetoes an act making appropriations for the construction, repair, and preservation of certain public works on rivers and harbors, and for other purposes. The House overrode the veto on 06/02/1896 and the Senate overrode the veto on 06/03/1896.

06/16/1896 - 06/18/1896

On the third day of the Convention, Ohio Governor William McKinley is nominated, on the first ballot, for President at the Republican National Convention meeting in St. Louis.

06/29/1896

McKinley remarks after official notification of his nomination.

07/07/1896 - 07/11/1896

A former Representative, newspaper editor William Jennings Bryan is nominated for President at the Democratic National Convention. His speech at the convention, prior to the nomination, is known as “Cross of Gold”. It is one of the most famous speeches in American political history. Bryan was 36 years old at the time of the nomination.

08/12/1896

Bryan remarks after official notification of his nomination.

08/26/1896

McKinley's Letter formally accepting the Republican Nomination.

09/09/1896

Bryan's Letter formally accepting the Democratic nomination.

11/03/1896

Election Day. Republican William McKinley is elected President defeating Democrat William Jennings Bryan. McKinley wins the 61% of the electoral vote and 51.1% of the popular vote. Minor party candidates received 3.1% of the popular vote.

11/14/1896

Proclamation excluding lands owned by the Greek Oriental Church in Sitka, Alaska from withdrawal for public purposes.

12/07/1896

Fourth Annual State of the Union Message. Expressed the belief that Christendom will not much tolerate atrocities in America. Discusses Cuba, pointing out that US "pecuniary interest" in the country is second only to Spain. Points out that many have urged that the US recognize Cuban independence or purchase the country outright. The US has proposed that Spain give "a measure of home rule" to Cuban insurgents, and guaranteed by the U.S. Nonetheless, if Spain cannot deal successfully with the insurrection, in order to avoid the complete devastation of the country, the US to take action.

1897

1/11/1897

Special Message regarding treaty of arbitration between United States and Great Britain. This concerns a boundary dispute between Venezuela and Great Britain that started in December 1895.

01/14/1897

Vetoes an act to constitute a new division of the eastern judicial district of Texas, and to provide for the holding of terms of court at Beaumont, Texas, and for the appointment of a clerk for said court. The House overrode the veto on 01/22/1897 and the Senate overrode the veto on 02/08/1897. (29 Stat 516).

02/11/1897

Signs Act (29 Stat 526) authorizing "any person authorized to enter lands" to make claims ("obtain patent") to lands containing petroleum. This law will later be important in a Supreme Court decision during Taft's administration (U.S. v Midwest Oil) about the President's authority to issue executive orders without precise statutory authority.

02/22/1897

Proclaimed the creation of 13 new national forest reserves in eight western states totalling 21 million acres. This was nearly twice the total acreage in existing forest reserves. Subsequently these were referred to as the "Washington's Birthday Reserves." Cleveland acted pursuant to a law passed on March 3, 1891.

02/24/1897

By Proclamation convenes an extra session of the United States Senate.

03/02/1897

Veto of Immigration Bill. Notes that the bill proposed an educational test excluding persons over 16 who can not read and write the English language or some other language." He writes, "If any particular element of our illiterate immigration is to be feared for other causes than illiteracy, these causes should be dealt with directly, instead of making illiteracy the pretext for exclusion. . . " He also objects to criminalizing temporary immigration for the purpose of employment. "Heretofore we have welcomed all who came to us from other lands except those whose moral or physical condition or history threatened danger to our national welfare and safety." The veto was overridden in the House on 03/03/1897 but was not acted upon in the Senate.

03/04/1897

Pocket vetoes HR 10290, an appropriations bill passed on March 2, 1897 "for sundry civil expenses of the Government." The bill included a Senate amendment offered by Wyoming Senator Clarence Clark to restore the reserves created on 02/22/1897 "to the public domain subject to settlement, occupancy and entry. . ." (Congressional Record Debate and Senate agreement.) The veto effectively left the government with a "deficiency" that would need to be addressed immediately in the next Congress and preserved presidential power to create reserves.

03/04/1897

William McKinley is inaugurated. Cleveland retires to Westland Mansion in Princeton, NJ and serves as a trustee of Princeton University.