Buffalo was solidly a strong Republican city with a majority in favor of that party ranging from 2,500-5,000. The Republicans relied on the blind support of that majority to maintain control of public offices, but there was a growing dissatisfaction among many Republican voters with their own party and the miserable conditions in public business.

These disgruntled reform minded Republicans were called derogatory names by the party regulars, names like “croakers”, “scratchers”, “Ishmaelites” and “mutineers”.
At the Republican convention a political hack named Milton C. Beebe was nominated as candidate for mayor, a man that the ring knew could be controlled, and a candidate that the Republican “mutineers” disliked immensely.

All things came to a climax and a popular revolt was inaugurated in 1881 against the men and the methods that were robbing the city. The corrupt municipal ring of the Board of Aldermen was in control of the city and it was a bi-party ring of both Republicans and Democrats. The reform elements of both parties consulted with each other and decided that electing a Democratic mayor was the only hope of dislodging the ring. The Republican Party was too entrenched and attempting to break into the Republican convention with a reform candidate was considered futile and the idea of forming a third party was considered equally doomed to certain defeat.

On October, 25 1881, the Democrats held their convention at Tivoli Hall to nominate candidates for the upcoming election. The reform Democrats wanted to nominate Grover Cleveland for mayor, but they were unsure if he would accept since he had previously refused their requests that he run for the office. Cleveland was not present at the convention, but was across the street at the courthouse engaged in a trail before Judge Albert Haight. A delegation was sent to the courthouse to inform him of their intentions. He was surprised at the news, because at first he approached the bench and told Judge Haight, “These men are a committee from the Democratic city convention. They want to nominate me for mayor, and they come to see if I’ll accept. What shall I do about it?”

The Judge replied: “I think you had better accept. The Republicans have gotten into a tangle. A good many are dissatisfied with the candidate nominated. Your chances are pretty good.”

Cleveland objected, “I’m practicing law and don’t want it interfered with.”

In reply the Judge said, The mayoralty is an honorable position. We are all interested in having a good city government. You’re an old bachelor. You haven’t any family to take care of. I’d advise you to accept.”

The delegation persisted to plead with him to accept, and he sent word that he might consent to accept the nomination if the convention would select a ticket acceptable to him and the reform element of his own party as well as the independents. Cleveland had demanded that the corrupt John Sheehan would be taken off the ticket as candidate for office of comptroller. This was a lot to ask, since Sheehan was the Democratic “boss”, and controlled the first ward, a working class Irish community with many voters.

To appease Cleveland’s demands and to buy time while they waited for his decision, ordinary convention rules were reversed so nominations for minor offices were held before the candidate for mayor was chosen. Sheehan, under pressure by the reformers backed out of his run for comptroller. He convinced the party regulars that Cleveland didn’t have a chance and his defeat would result in crushing this reform movement.

The convention adjourned for short time to a tavern below Tivoli Hall while they waited for Cleveland’s answer. Cleveland then gave a committeeman his reply that he would accept the nomination. After hearing the news, the delegates in the pub toasted to their success and proceeded to go upstairs and hear Cleveland’s nomination by Daniel Lockwood, a long time party leader. The nomination carried as Cleveland came across the street and briefly accepted the candidacy before returning to argue his case before the court.

This is Cleveland' s formal letter accepting the nomination:

“GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION.—I am informed that you have bestowed upon me the nomination for the office of mayor. It certainly is a great honor to be thought fit to be the chief officer of a great and prosperous city like ours, having such important and varied interests. I hoped that your choice might fill upon some other and more worthy member of the city Democracy, for personal and private considerations have made the question of acceptance on my part a difficult one. But because I am a Democrat and because I think no one has a right at this time of all others to consult his own inclinations as against the call of his party and fellow-citizens, and hoping that I may be of use to you in your efforts to inaugurate a better rule in municipal affairs, I accept the nomination tendered to me.”

“I believe much can be done to relieve our citizens from their present load of taxation, and that a more rigid scrutiny of all public expenditures will result in a great saving to the community. I also believe that some extravagance in our city government may be corrected without injury to the public service.”

“There is, or there should be, no reason why the affairs of our city should not be managed with the same care and the same economy as private interests. And when we consider that public officials are the trustees of the people, and hold their places and exercise their powers for the benefit of the people, there should be no higher inducement to a faithful and honest discharge of public duty.”

“These are very old truths; but I cannot forbear to speak in this strain today, because I believe the time has come when the people loudly demand that these principles shall be sincerely, and without mental reservation, adopted as a rule of conduct. And I am assured that the result of the campaign upon which we enter today will demonstrate that the citizens of Buffalo will not tolerate the man or the party who has been unfaithful to public trusts.”

“I say these things to a convention of Democrats because I know that the grand old party is honest, and they cannot be unwelcome to you.”

“Let us then in all sincerity promise the people an improvement in our municipal affairs; and if the opportunity is offered to us, as it surely will be, let us faithfully keep that promise. By this means, and by this means alone, can our success rest upon a firm foundation and our party ascendancy be permanently assured. Our opponents will wage a bitter and determined warfare; but with united and hearty effort we shall achieve a victory for our entire ticket.”

“And at this day, and with my record before you, I trust it is unnecessary for me to pledge to you my most earnest endeavors to bring about this result: and if elected to the position for which you have nominated me, I shall do my whole duty to the party; but none the less I hope to the citizens of Buffalo.”

Continued...