Arthur’s administration was not marked by foreign complications of importance,
although during the period efforts continued to be made to secure
from Great Britain some modification of the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty (§ [401]),
since trade with South America was becoming more and more valuable and
the construction of an Isthmian Canal controlled by the United States was
considered essential. In domestic affairs it may be noted that President
Arthur showed firmness in vetoing a bill restricting Chinese immigration,
after which a less stringent one was passed.
The term “Mugwump” is a Massachusetts Indian word meaning a big or
important man. It was applied as a term of reproach, indicating that those
who received it set themselves up to be better or greater than the majority of
their party.
Born in Pennsylvania, 1830; died, 1893. Graduated from Washington
College (Pennsylvania), 1847; taught school in Kentucky and Pennsylvania;
removed to Augusta, Maine, 1854; edited the Kennebec Journal and entered
politics; in Maine legislature, 1858–1862; in Congress, 1862–1876, where he was
prominent in reconstruction and other legislation, and was Speaker of the
House from 1869–1875; charged with corruption in 1876; unsuccessful candidate
for Presidency, 1876, and in the same year appointed to the Senate; failed to
obtain Republican nomination for President, 1880; Secretary of State, March
to December, 1881; in retirement from public life, wrote his Twenty Years of
Congress (Vol. I., 1884); nominated for President and defeated, 1884; Secretary
of State, 1889–1892.
Born in New Jersey, 1837. Studied law and entered practice at Buffalo,
New York; served as sheriff, and became mayor on a “reform” ticket in
1881; his efficient administration attracted so much attention that he received
the Democratic nomination for governor in 1882; was elected by the enormous
majority of one hundred and ninety-two thousand; was so commended for
his administration that in 1884 he received the Democratic nomination for
President; was elected over Blaine; became prominent, while President, as a
supporter of Civil Service reform, “hard money,” and tariff reform; was
defeated by Harrison on the tariff issue in 1888; was nominated a third
time in 1892, and reëlected by a large majority; retired to Princeton, New
Jersey, at the close of his term; died, greatly honored, 1908.
CHAPTER XXXV. first administration of cleveland, 1885–1889.
IMPORTANT MEASURES AND REFORMS.
620. Character of the Administration.—Ever since Grant’s administrations the strength of the two great political parties had been tending more and more to an equality. When Cleveland entered upon his duties as President, the Democrats had a small majority in the House of Representatives, the Republicans still had a majority in the Senate. Legislation, therefore, was for the most part confined to non-partisan measures. Cleveland surrounded himself with a good group of Cabinet advisers, in which the South was allowed proportionate representation.[[286]] The latter fact, together with his policy of vetoing private pension bills, rendered the President unpopular with many Union veterans; but his general firmness and honesty as an executive were admitted by impartial observers. He was placed, however, in the unfortunate situation of having to offend either the Democrats, who demanded that all offices should be taken away from Republican incumbents and given to Democrats, or the Independents, who thought that removals from office should be made only in the case of unworthy incumbents. Cleveland extended Civil Service reform, but at the same time made some removals from office apparently on partisan grounds. Thus he offended both Democratic politicians and Independent reformers; and his administration, while on the whole successful, was not characterized by thorough harmony.
