The reasons why president Cleveland's reputation was considered the exception to the rule for presidents from the 1870's through the 1890's

Grover Cleveland became the first Democrat to achieve the Presidency after the Civil War had ended. Elected twice, first in 1885 and later on in 1893, he became best known for his staunch belief in honesty, the fight against corruption, simplicity and the American way of fighting for things and not obtaining them from the government as a hand-over.

As such, he became known for his fight against corruption, his refusal to permit, or pursue any protectionist measures, use government money to favor any economic group, and much less allow Congressional acts that would favor such groups, under any circumstances.

This is why he barred efforts by Congress to favor economic groups, he did not permit to pass bills that would favor people who had not deserved such a thing, and moreover, bills that gave people things who had not fought for them. In this way, he upheld the ideal that Americans gained what they got, not received it freely. He also was the president known for angering railroad companies when he had them investigated for appropriation of Government lands, among many other actions that showed his principles, and his devotion to honesty, anti-corruption and the simple American way of life of fighting for the things that they wish to obtain.

Grover Cleveland's reputation differed from the rule of rest of the presidents as his penchant for honesty was an exception. Many government officials routinely accepted bribes and offered jobs to loyal party workers in what came to be known as spoils system as there was little regard for their qualifications.