Flossi Heads to the White House
Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, is known for several key accomplishments during his two non-consecutive terms (1885–1889 and 1893–1897). Here are some of his most notable achievements:
1. Strengthening the Presidential Veto Power: Cleveland used his veto power extensively, especially to curb what he saw as wasteful government spending. He vetoed over 400 bills in his first term alone, a record at the time, many of which were private bills for individual benefits, like pensions, which he believed could lead to fraud.
2. Fiscal Responsibility and Opposition to Free Silver: Cleveland was committed to maintaining the gold standard and fiscal responsibility, opposing the "Free Silver" movement, which advocated for the free coinage of silver to increase the money supply. He repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, reinforcing the gold standard and restoring confidence in the U.S. financial system.
3. Civil Service Reform: Cleveland advocated for civil service reform. He extended the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, seeking to limit political patronage and promote merit-based appointments. His actions contributed to professionalising the federal workforce.
4. Interstate Commerce Act of 1887: Cleveland supported and signed the Interstate Commerce Act to regulate the railroad industry and prevent unfair practices like rate discrimination and monopolistic practices. This was the first federal law to regulate private industry in the United States, setting a precedent for future regulations.
5. Opposition to Annexing Hawaii: During his second term, Cleveland opposed the annexation of Hawaii, believing it was unjust to the native Hawaiian government. Although annexation eventually happened under President McKinley, Cleveland’s stance highlighted his respect for sovereignty and opposition to imperialist expansion.
6. Labor Relations – The Pullman Strike: Cleveland’s handling of the Pullman Strike in 1894 was controversial. He sent federal troops to break the strike, arguing that it disrupted mail delivery and interstate commerce. Although labour groups criticised his intervention, it underscored his commitment to maintaining law and order, even at the cost of popularity.
7. Economic Policies During the Panic of 1893: The Panic of 1893 was one of the worst economic crises of the 19th century, leading to a severe depression. Cleveland believed in limited government intervention and focused on maintaining the gold standard. Though his approach wasn’t popular, it marked one of the early debates in American politics on the government's role in the economy.
