Grover Cleveland's penchant for vetoing bills started before he became president. As mayor of Buffalo and governor of New York, he vetoed many bills. He thought he had a duty to block bills that did not benefit the public. It was not surprising, therefore, that he continued this practice after becoming president in 1885.
He vetoed so many bills because he strongly believed that the government should have a very limited role in people's lives. He even vetoed a bill that sought to aid Texas farmers who were suffering because of drought. During his presidency, he vetoed myriad bills providing pensions to Civil War soldiers. His vetoes were popular with the public during his first term (1885–1889).
Cleveland's insistence on limiting the scope of government was far less popular during his second term (1893–1897). In 1893, the economy collapsed, and his refusal to help the public made him unpopular.
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