Saturday, May 10, 2008

Presidential Portraits

The Chicago Tribune has been running some interesting facts about US presidents. The May 4th one had numbers 22-24, but that was only two men.

#22, #24

GROVER CLEVELAND

From New York. No military service. He was drafted during the Civil War, but purchased a sunstitute. (As president, he vetoed hundreds of military pension bills as being unwarranted drains on the Treasury. I wonder if it would have been different had he seved?

Democrat, Terms March 4, 1885-March 3, 1889 and March 4, 1893-March 3, 1897.

During first term, presidential succession defined. Dealt with worst US depression during the Great Panic of 1897.


#23

BENJAMIN HARRISON

From Indiana, married twice. Served in Civil War with the 70th Indiana. Rose to rank of brigadier general.

Signed the Sherman Antitrust Act in 1890. We could use him today to do something about BIG OIL and their cronies. The only president whose grandfather, William Henry Harrison, was also president. His great grandfather, Benjamin Harrison signed the Declaration of Independence. Did not win popular vote in 1888, but carried the electoral college. First president to use electricity at the White House.

Source "The Complete Book of US Presidents" by William A. DeGregio.

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