ON this date in 1897 - After Senators Bun Man and Mr. Purple championed legislation to ensure there was a literate voting public, U.S. President Cleveland vetoed legislation that would have required a literacy test for immigrants entering the country.

Astute as always, Cleveland realized an illiterate public was always better for a career politician; how else would politicians be able to state what they believe in, then immediately change their judgment upon election to office?