1884, Blaine vs. Cleveland: Tell the Truth

American Elections: Wicked Game

Airship

History

4.8 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 17 March 2020

⏱️ 42 minutes

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Summary

In an era known for corruption in politics, two presidential candidates strive for honesty and transparency: Republican James Blaine and Democrat Grover Cleveland. But as Cleveland and Blaine each advocate for their version of change, the forces of resistance to change circle the wagons around the decades old Washington tradition of federal patronage, also known as “the Spoils System.”

Created, hosted and executive produced by Lindsay Graham for Airship. Sound design by Derek Behrens. Co-Executive produced by Steven Walters in association with Ritual Productions. Written and researched by Cielle Salazar. Fact checking by Gregory Jackson and Cielle Salazar from the podcast History That Doesn’t Suck. Music by Lindsay Graham.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	It's October 1874 in Buffalo, New York, and Grover Cleveland has a problem.
0:18.8	As a single, childless man, he works long hours and focuses on his career as a lawyer and
0:24.3	politician.
0:25.4	But his relationship with Maria Halpin has turned his world upside down.
0:29.9	Last year, 33-year-old widow Halpin and 34-year-old bachelor Cleveland had a brief affair
0:36.6	she gave birth to a son shortly thereafter. Since then, Halpin has been caring for the child alone.
0:42.8	Cleveland offers some financial support, but lately Halpin's been drinking the money away
0:47.8	to the point of neglecting the baby boy. In a small apartment in Buffalo, New York,
0:53.1	Cleveland and Maria are infant Oscar and his friend Roswell Burrows meet to discuss the situation.
0:59.8	Halpin is crying. Cleveland tries to reason with her. This is how it must be Maria.
1:05.5	I don't agree. I think we could be a family. You, me, and baby Oscar.
1:09.8	No, no, I've told you before. The best thing for the child is to put him up for adoption.
1:14.9	This way, he'll have a chance for a real family.
1:18.1	Cleveland's perhaps harsh, detached answer convinces Maria that he will never marry her,
1:23.4	nor offer anything more than financial support. As tears stream down her face,
1:29.0	Cleveland's friend Burrows, a county judge, chimes in.
1:32.2	Don't worry, Maria. I have worked it all out for you and the child. You will go to
1:36.1	Providence, Asylum, for a few months of rest. Once you're restored to full health,
1:40.8	Cleveland here will help you set up shop in Niagara Falls.
1:43.9	What about my baby? Can I take him?
1:47.0	Burrows shakes his head. No, I'm afraid not.
1:50.6	Young Oscar will go to the Protestant orphan Asylum.
	...

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