SECOND INAUGURATION OF CLEVELAND.

395

imposing additional restrictions upon immigration, and a bill providing that, by a certain date, all railroad cars should be provided with automatic safety couplers.

427. Second Inauguration of Cleveland; Bering Sea Case. (1893.) The inauguration of Cleveland and Stevenson took place on the 4th of March, and for the first time since 1861 the Democrats controlled all branches of the government.

A very pleasant feature of the transfer of the chief government offices to the new incumbents was the courteous manner in which it was done, and the kindly good feeling shown on both sides. The large number of government employees under the civil service rules, and to whom a change of party rule was no longer a vital question, somewhat diminished the number of office-seekers, though the number was much greater than had been expected by the friends of reform.

The Bering Sea case (sect. 420) had been referred to seven arbitrators, and they, after a most patient and careful consideration of the matters submitted to them, decided, in August, 1893, against the claim of the United States, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the seals beyond three miles from shore. But the tribunal made such stringent provisions, binding upon both Great Britain and the United States, for the protection of the seals, that, while failing technically, the United States gained the real point at issue, the protection of the valuable fur-bearing animals. So "again has arbitration been successfully applied to questions which diplomacy confessed itself unable to solve. Formerly such a juncture meant war." 1

1 Though these regulations apply only to Great Britain and the United States, it is expected that they will be sufficient to stop most of the destructive sealing.

428. "Silver" Legislation; Financial Distress; Elections. (1893.) There was a very general feeling, particularly in the eastern and central states, that the "Sherman Act of 1890 (sect. 417), by its clause requiring the regular monthly purchase by the Treasury of silver bullion, was greatly injurious to the financial interests of the country. President Cleveland called an extra session of Congress to meet in August, 1893, and recommended the repeal of the bill. The fifty-third Congress met at the time appointed, organized by the re-election of Charles F. Crisp as Speaker, and after several weeks' discussion, mostly in the Senate, passed an act repealing the "compulsory purchase clause."

The business situation of the country during the greater part of the year 1893 was very gloomy, and not since 1873 were there so many failures and such financial depression. Uncertainty as to the character and amount of the tariff legislation to be expected from the new Congress aggravated the troubles. It was not at all surprising under these circumstances that, as is so often the case, the party in power suffered.

The state elections of 1893 resulted in overwhelming successes for the Republicans. In New Jersey, and particularly in New York, the friends of reform were greatly encouraged by the crushing defeat at the polls of the candidates nominated and supported by the political “rings."

429. Hawaii. (1893.) A revolution in Hawaii took place January 14, 1893. Two days later a large public meeting denounced the queen and her advisers, and the "Committee of Safety," it is said, requested the protection of the United States; accordingly a detachment of troops was landed from a United States cruiser, it is claimed, to preserve peace and order and protect American interests. The next day a "Provisional

Government" was organized and set up, "until terms of union with the United States of America have been negotiated and agreed upon." The queen submitted under protest, and the government was recognized by the United States minister and other foreign representatives. Commissioners were sent to negotiate a treaty of annexation with the United States. Such a treaty was negotiated and sent to the Senate for confirmation February 15, but was not acted upon before the expiration of Harrison's term of office. On March 6, President Cleveland withdrew the treaty, and then sent a special commissioner to Hawaii to investigate and report. Shortly after the commissioner reached Hawaii he declared the protectorate established by the American minister at an end, and ordered the United States flag, which had been raised over the government building, to be removed.

On the return of the commissioner to the United States with his report, a new minister was sent out with instructions intended to restore, if possible, the queen to her former position, on the ground that it was the illegal use of United States troops which had brought success to the revolutionists. Late in the year Congress requested information and papers relative to the matter from the President, which he sent, practically acknowledging the failure to settle the difficulties by diplomatic means, and leaving affairs in the hands of Congress. The year closed with little further light upon the matter, and nothing accomplished.

430. Close of the Columbian Exposition. (1893.) — The success of the Exposition at Chicago (sect. 423) far exceeded

1 United States troops had previously been used in Hawaii to preserve order in 1874, and during the former administration of President Cleveland in 1889. Annexation also was nearly accomplished in 1854, under President Pierce.

anticipations. A foreign visitor expresses the general opinion in saying: "Only those who have seen it can justly appreciate how far this latest of international exhibitions has surpassed all its predecessors in size, in splendor, and in greatness, both of conception and of execution." Probably the most striking feature of the exhibition was the excellent situation combining land and water advantages. The manner in which these features were utilized was most admirable, and the architectural skill displayed in the buildings, united great beauty of design and execution with adaptation to required needs. The attendance was over twenty-seven millions, more than double that of the Centennial Exhibition (sect. 381).

CHAPTER XX.

ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND LITERARY CONDITIONS.

REFERENCES.

Note. The volumes of Appleton's Annual Cyclopædia contain the most accessible accounts of recent events; the "Record of Current Events" in the Review of Reviews is a brief monthly chronicle; the annual issues of the Tribune and World Almanacs (New York) are rich in political, statistical; and general information.

Biographies. —American Men of Letters Series. F. H. Underwood, H. W. Longfellow, J. G. Whittier; W. J. Linton, J. G. Whittier; S. Longfellow, H. W. Longfellow.

Special. — Immigration, Urban Population: Compendium of Eleventh Census; Harper's Monthly, lxix. 118; The Nation, xli. 46, lii. 333, 352, 401, liii, 209. Irrigation Appleton's Annual Cyclopædia, 1889, pp. 451464; Review of Reviews, viii. 394; The Nation, xlvii. 390; The Forum, xii. 740; North American Review, cl. 370; Harper's Magazine, lxxvii. 233. Forest Reservations: Century Magazine, xlvi. 792; Review of Reviews, viii. 63. Natural Gas: Appleton's Annual Cyclopædia, 1886, p. 366. T. A. Edison, and Electricity: Review of Reviews, viii. 35–62. Inland Commerce and Transportation: United States Treasury Report on Inland Commerce, 1891; Century Magazine, xxxviii. 353; The Forum, xii. 729; Review of Reviews, viii. 536. The New South: H. W. Grady, Writings and Speeches, "The New South"; The Forum, xiii. 66, 673. Pacific Coast: The Forum, xii. 410; Review of Reviews, viii. 524. Education: R. G. Boone, Education in the United States. Literature: M. C. Tyler, History of American Literature (1607-1765); C. F. Richardson, American Literature (16071885); E. C. Stedman and E. M. Hutchinson, Library of American Literature, 11 vols. 8vo. ; E. C. Stedman, Poets of America. Learned Societies and Libraries: R. G. Boone, Education in the United States, chap. xvi. Newspapers: F. Hudson, History of Journalism in America; North American Review, cl. 197, 364; The Forum, ix. 198; Century Magazine, xl. 260.