Benjamin Harrison
(March 4, 1889 to March 3, 1893)
Born: August 20, 1833
Died: March 13, 1901
Political Party: Republican
Previous Occupation: Lawyer
Elected From: Indiana
Vice President: Levi P. Morton (1889-93)
Cabinet Members: view list
Other Government Positions:
· United States Senator, 1881-87
Inaugural Address: 1889
Biography: view
Presidential Highlights:
· Approved the Silver Purchase Act (permitted the U.S. Treasury to buy 4.5 million ounces of silver every month). This allowed currency to be backed by silver.
· Approved the McKinley Tariff Bill (raised import duties on most products), causing consumer prices to increase sharply.
· Approved the Sherman Antitrust Act (allowed the federal government to sue companies that attempt to monopolize an industry, and prohibited companies from agreeing to drive their competitors out of business).
· Approved the Dependent and Disability Pension Act (gave U.S. veterans pensions for illness and injury, also gave federal pensions to their dependent children, widows, and parents). This was the first economic entitlement program in the United States.
Presidential Election:
| 1888 |
| Benjamin Harrison | 233 |
| Grover Cleveland | 168 |
Pop Out Into New Window