Very Presidential with Ashley Flowers Grover Cleveland: The Beast of Buffalo
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Aug 18, 2020 Grover Cleveland's life was filled with shocking scandals. He faced allegations of assault against Maria Halpin and had a secret child with her. Despite his 'Grover the Good' reputation, he had controversial political moves, including the extension of the Chinese Exclusion Act. His public persona clashed with his secretive cancer diagnosis and risky surgery at sea. The tumultuous relationship with Frances Folsom also raised eyebrows. Cleveland's leadership during the Panic of 1893 and labor conflicts left his legacy in doubt, yet some historians still reevaluate him positively.
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Halpin Case And Political Cover-Up
- Maria Halpin accused Grover Cleveland of rape, bore a son, and lost custody after he used his power to imprison her and arrange the child's adoption.
- The scandal resurfaced during the 1884 campaign and Cleveland publicly framed her as immoral to protect his image.
Vetoes Reflect Deep Small-Government Belief
- Cleveland championed merit-based appointments and aggressively vetoed legislation, reflecting his strict constitutionalism.
- His record 414 vetoes showed a preference for limited federal power even when public needs argued otherwise.
White House Courtship And Wedding
- Grover Cleveland courted and married Frances Folsom, a woman he'd known since childhood, when he was 48 and she was 21.
- The wedding in the White House made Frances the youngest First Lady and hushed earlier criticisms about the age gap.