Thursday, May 19, 2011

Benjamin Harrison

Benjamin Harrison is actually recorded in some sources as being from Indiana and others as being from Ohio. Benjamin is known for being a heavy talker, and also got the nickname of "human iceberg" due to his formal nature. Harrison lost the popular vote, but won through the electoral college. During his presidency, Harrison admitted North and south Dakota, but in an attempt to keep both states appeased. Harrison blindly picked states so as neither state could argue it got in first(10 Interesting Facts about Benjamin Harrison).
During Harrison's presidency, a few acts were signed that met well with people and a few bills that people greatly opposed. Harrison sign the Dependent and Disability Pensions Act that gave money to veterans injured in nonmilitary causes. He also signed the Sherman Anti-Trust Act that tried to stop the abuse of monopolies, but the vagueness left it as only a starting point. Benjamin also passed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in which silver certificates could be traded in for gold or silver and it was quickly repealed by Grover Cleveland as the act was depleting U.S. gold. Many people suspect that this poor judgment is the reason that Benjamin didn't win re-election. He also passed a very unpopular tariff that raised imports by a 48% tax(Martin Kelly).
Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge
In 1977 a tanker ship crashed into the bridge providing for costly repairs.

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