Many have declared Cleveland’s act in regard to the Venezuelan matter the most important of his administration. For a number of years, the boundary line between New Guinea and Venezuela had been a matter of dispute and contention. Venezuela finally appealed to the United States to use her influence to induce Great Britain to submit the matter to arbitration. The idea was not favourably received by the British Government.
President Cleveland’s ideas on the matter began to clarify, and he sent a message to Congress December 17, 1895, accompanied by all of the correspondence in the case, and recommended the appointment of a commission to determine the actual boundary. His message intimated that the United States would enforce the decision. Congress followed the President’s lead; the commission was appointed, but before it had completed the task assigned, England had come to an agreement with Venezuela, a joint board of arbitration having been appointed. Although the President received a great deal of criticism for his application of the Monroe Doctrine, the country’s prestige was much increased.
President Cleveland stood firm for Civil Service reform, which had always been one of his hobbies, and before his term closed, about half of all offices of the government were already under Civil Service and filled by competitive examinations, instead of being parcelled out as political patronage.
After a long and bitter struggle, Congress enacted a tariff measure, a modified form of the Wilson Tariff. This reduced protective duties about one fourth and admitted free lumber, wool, and salt. It also condemned trusts.
The public was always interested in the Cleveland babies, and spontaneous congratulations, greetings, and gifts poured in when it was known that the stork had paid a visit to Gray Gables in July of 1895, leaving another small daughter, upon whom was conferred the name of Marian. By this time, little Ruth was finding her busy father a fine playfellow, and many good times they had drawing pictures and making things together in his office when his day’s work was done.
The people of the South had planned an exhibition. It was called “Cotton States and International Exhibition,” and was opened in September, 1895, by the pressure of the electric button by the tiny finger of the newest White House baby, Marian. Thus from the gun room of her father’s charming house, Gray Gables, on Massachusetts Bay, the two-months-old infant set all of the wheels revolving to open the exposition. Great gates and doors swung wide; machinery started buzzing; and with the boom of the cannon and the sound of the shrill whistles, the activities of the great exposition were set in motion.
With the admission of Utah in 1896, the number of states was forty-five.
Li Hung Chang, Chinese statesman, commander-in-chief of all forces in the war with Japan, and originator of the Chinese Navy, on a tour of the world, came to visit the United States, August 28, 1896. He was received by President Cleveland the following day. The original comments and pertinent queries he made while here were the source of much amusement.
Mrs. Cleveland’s last season in Washington was as gay as her manifold duties would permit. Three babies are a full measure of responsibility even for a mother aided by the best nurses procurable. One of her long-discussed functions was a luncheon for forty-eight guests for her husband’s sister, Miss Rose Cleveland. This was most elaborate and elegant.
The last Christmas in their administration was a gay one for the children. Three little stockings were hung on the chimney shelf. There were many gay parties with the Lamont children and other little folk of the Cabinet household, and a whole room filled to its utmost capacity with wonderful gifts and toys.