Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. III.djvu/315

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GROVER CLEVELAND 263 value or purchasing power. With this condition absolutely guaranteed, both gold and silver can safely be utilized upon equal terms in the adjust ment of our currency." He also urged "an honest adherence to the letter and spirit of civil service reform," "liberal consideration for our worthy vet eran soldiers and for the families of those who have died," but insisting that "our pension roll should be a roll of honor, uncontaminated by ill desert and unvitiated by demagogic use." After a most vigorous campaign and a thorough discussion of important principles and measures, the democratic party won an overwhelming victory, reversing the electoral vote of 1888 and largely in creasing its popular plurality, and carrying both the senate and house of representatives. The ticket carried twenty-three states, including the doubtful states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Indiana, and for the first time in years in a presi dential contest Illinois and Wisconsin. The popu lar vote was 5,553,142 for Cleveland, 5,186,931 for Harrison, 1,030,128 for Weaver, of the "people s party," and 268,361 for Bidwell, the prohibitionist. In the electoral college Mr. Cleveland received 276 votes, Gen. Harrison 145, and Mr. Weaver 23. On March 4, 1893, Mr. Cleveland was for a sec ond time inaugurated president, being the first in stance in this country of a president re-elected after