Journalist, Businessman, Presidential Cabinet Secretary. From an early age, Manning was deeply involved in the newspaper industry. He began his career at the Albany Atlas, later the Argus, and he ascended to the editor of that paper in 1865. From 1881 to 1884, he served as Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee. In 1882, he oversaw the landslide gubernatorial victory of Grover Cleveland, the mayor of Buffalo, over the Republican candidate, Charles J Folger, who was President Chester Arthur's Secretary of Treasury. When Cleveland won the presidency two years later, he rewarded Manning with the Treasury Secretary post. His term began in 1885. During his tenure, a debate raged concerning how to back the national currency. While eastern financiers strongly supported gold, westerners, farmers, and speculators wanted silver-backed currency in order to increase the money supply. Manning advocated a compromise of both gold and silver-backed currency. Manning also favored the reduction of protectionist tariffs, which were relatively high during the 1880's. On March 31, 1887, Manning, who was suffering from heart disease, resigned from office. He died later that year in Albany. His portrait can be found on a scarce 1886 currency known as the "diamondback".
Journalist, Businessman, Presidential Cabinet Secretary. From an early age, Manning was deeply involved in the newspaper industry. He began his career at the Albany Atlas, later the Argus, and he ascended to the editor of that paper in 1865. From 1881 to 1884, he served as Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee. In 1882, he oversaw the landslide gubernatorial victory of Grover Cleveland, the mayor of Buffalo, over the Republican candidate, Charles J Folger, who was President Chester Arthur's Secretary of Treasury. When Cleveland won the presidency two years later, he rewarded Manning with the Treasury Secretary post. His term began in 1885. During his tenure, a debate raged concerning how to back the national currency. While eastern financiers strongly supported gold, westerners, farmers, and speculators wanted silver-backed currency in order to increase the money supply. Manning advocated a compromise of both gold and silver-backed currency. Manning also favored the reduction of protectionist tariffs, which were relatively high during the 1880's. On March 31, 1887, Manning, who was suffering from heart disease, resigned from office. He died later that year in Albany. His portrait can be found on a scarce 1886 currency known as the "diamondback".
Bio by: Thomas J Fraser
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