principles of taxation, which must be sought in them. The same is true of pensions, labor, and other questions. It is believed, however, that a clew to all these will be supplied by this Completeness of the index.
The selections have been arranged under each chapter heading in chronological order. This, I am confident, will commend itself to readers, most of whom will, naturally, be attracted first to some particular part of the work, in the expectation of finding at once what may have been said upon a question in which they themselves are most interested. Under the plan adopted this will be easy.
Parts of messages have been separated and classified under their appropriate headings. Those familiar with the annual messages of an Executive know them to be composed of paragraphs treating of various questions. Such a document is subjected to no wrench when it is separated, and the various sections are incorporated under their proper headings. Except in two or three instances, each is complete, and when purely formal or local matter has been omitted, the fact is indicated in the usual way. Every speech is published in full.
The earlier speeches and letters have presented some difficulties. Most of them have been collected from the newspapers in which they were originally published; some after transmission by telegraph. I have had, however, some advantages in collating such documents and letters. As neither Mr. Cleveland nor anyone for him had had an opportunity to see them or correct errors in copying or transmission, when first published, he kindly consented to go over them with me, in order to correct misprints and to suggest the proper reading in a document which has puzzled by a text hopelessly mixed by some printer. I have
