New Jersey's Greatest President

In a 6-3 ruling on Friday the Supreme Court rejected President Joe Biden’s plan to forgive upwards of $430 billion in student loan debt. 43 million Americans stood to benefit from the loan forgiveness plan with roughly 20 million of them potentially having their debt completely paid off, under the proposed plan. For President Biden this is a battle lost but he remains adamant and hopeful with regard to student debt relief; House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in a recent tweet, however, commended the Supreme Court’s decision while also deeming the plan “UNLAWFUL”.

In other brighter news, the Metlar-Bodine House Museum where George Washington, “wrote the first order in 1778 for the United States Army to celebrate the 4th of July”, is set to undergo a major restoration thanks to a federal grant of $500,000. Located in Piscataway, the museum is rich with history as it once hosted the very first Fourth of July party. Hooray!

In Todays Email

• Grover Cleveland: Jersey Boy

• Plans for the Fourth of July

• Presidential Bagel Bites

New Jersey’s Greatest and Only Native President

Considering that New Jersey is the 3rd state to have ratified the constitution and the state’s historically dense population, it comes as a surprise to know that it has only produced one President of the United States. His name is President Grover Cleveland.

Humble Beginnings

Stephen Grover Cleveland was born in Caldwell, NJ, on March 18, 1837. Raised in Buffalo, NY, his adult life began early upon the death of his father in 1853. This forced him to leave school and into work as a clerk at law firm, in order to provide for his mother and 8 siblings.

In time, Cleveland became a lawyer in Buffalo, New York and began his political career as an affiliate of the Democratic Party. He gained prominence throughout the state for his efficient work; going on to become sheriff and mayor of Buffalo, and subsequently governor of New York.

During the civil war, he was drafted for service but opted to have a substitute drafted in his stead so that he could care for his mother despite the possibility of future political attack resulting from it, and there would be many.

A President of Many Firsts

Grover Cleveland won his first election in 1885. A year later, he became the first and only president to marry in the White House, when he married 21 year old Frances Folsom. The couple had an impressive 27 years difference in age.

He would later become the first president to serve two nonconsecutive terms upon reelection in 1893.

On September 9, 1893, during his second term, Cleveland became the only president to have had a child born in the White House, with the birth of daughter Esther Cleveland.

Legacy

Grover Cleveland was lauded for his principles and his ability to provide fair oversight in civil matters. He was not afraid to ruffle feathers and a testament to this is the establishment of Interstate Commerce Commission, the nation’s first regulatory agency.

His attitude and actions in response to corruption earned him the respect of citizens, providing an explanation as to how he was able to win the popular vote in three elections.

Toward the end of his tenure President Cleveland’s image suffered, just as the most of the nation suffered from economic downturn. Silver had become a volatile currency and people began to lose trust in it, this was only made worse as Cleveland would tell the public that the government could offer them no recourse. Gold reserves too, began to dwindle. Eventually, the depression would come to end, though, largely due to dealings with James Piedmont Morgan, who facilitated the sale of government bonds overseas for gold.

In the end, Grover Cleveland would come to retire in Princeton, NJ where he passed away at the age of 71 years, on June 28, 1908.

Grover Cleveland’s eventful life and stints as president have surely left New Jersey’s next president with big shoes to fill (size 9’s to be exact).

Fourth of July Festivities🎆

Need plans for the 4th of July? We got you covered.

Milltown will host their annual 4th of July parade, featuring a 5k race, pizza eating contest, fireworks, and more. Events are scheduled all day culminating in a fantastic fireworks show at 9:30pm. You won’t want to miss it.

In Princeton the famous 4th of July Jubilee is taking place at the Morven Museum and Garden, with live music, tours, a scavenger hunt, and more from 12-3 P.M.. The Morven Museum happens to be the a site of one of the first Fourth of July celebrations in 1783.

Jersey City is hosting an all day event with live music, over 80 food vendors and fireworks along the Hudson River waterfront. What more could you ask for?

Camden’s Freedom Festival puts live music in the spotlight. Shows start at 5pm and feature artists UB40 and Tara Hendricks. Of course there will also be plenty of food and fireworks, which light up the night at 9:30pm .

 Bagel Bites (Presidential Candidate Edition🇺🇸)

Our list of Front Runners for the 2024 Presidential Elections

We picked the links most representative of the platforms these candidates stand on, so you can sound smart at the barbecue. Enjoy them at your own discretion. ⚠️

Joe Biden - Re-election and economics.

Donald Trump - Second Term or another fate.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - Impractical or walking the Line

Ron DeSantis - Florida governor taking drastic measures.

Thats all folks

As always, let us know what you liked, disliked, or cant stand about the newsletter. We are just getting started and excited for the future. Stay safe this 4th of July and try not to think about us too much 😉 

Until Friday

-The Daily Bagel