# Tuesday, March 6, 1906 explained — The Autobiography of Mark Twain

> Chapter companion for The Autobiography of Mark Twain by Mark Twain.

## What happens

Mark Twain recounts his first meeting with Grover Cleveland, his role as a mugwump in supporting Cleveland, and his indirect intervention via Cleveland's infant daughter Ruth to retain Mr. Mason in his consular post. He also describes Cleveland's principled veto of a railway ordinance as mayor of Buffalo, which risked his law partnership.

## Themes in this chapter

### Character and Morality

Cleveland's principled veto of a railway ordinance despite personal cost, and Twain's mugwump ethics of voting for the best man.

### Hypocrisy and Human Nature

Twain's humorous account of sitting on the bell-buttons and the playful exchange about social status with Cleveland.

### The American Experience

The political dynamics of the Gilded Age, including patronage, reform, and the rise of a president from a sheriff to the White House.

## Character check-ins

### Mark Twain

Narrates his visit to Governor Cleveland, his mugwump principles, and his letter to Baby Ruth Cleveland to help Mr. Mason.

### Grover Cleveland

Governor of New York and later President; Twain describes his principled veto as mayor and his response to Twain's indirect request.

### George Dolby

Mentioned as Twain's companion (George W. Cable) during the reading tour to Albany.

### Richard Watson Gilder

Referenced via a letter that prompted Twain to write to ex-President Cleveland.

### Mason

Consul-general whose position Twain helped secure through Ruth Cleveland's intercession; later promoted to Berlin and Paris.

### Susy Clemens

Not directly mentioned, but Ruth Cleveland is described as a child who 'remained not long on earth,' echoing themes of loss.

## Key lines

> I was born lazy, and I comforted myself by turning the corner of a table into a sort of seat.

Twain admits his natural laziness and describes lounging against a table corner during his meeting with Governor Cleveland.

_This anecdote leads to the comedic moment where Twain unknowingly sits on the bell-buttons._

> Vote for the best man—that was creed enough.

Twain summarizes the mugwump principle of voting based on merit rather than party affiliation.

_This principle guided Twain's political actions and his indirect approach to President Cleveland._

> I wrote Ruth Cleveland once more. Mason remained in his place and I think he would have remained in it without Ruth's intercession.

Twain wrote again to Cleveland's daughter, but believes Cleveland's own integrity would have kept Mason in office regardless.

_Twain expresses confidence in Cleveland's character while still taking credit for the intervention._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters/volume-ii-tuesday-march-6-1906
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_mark_twain_se/chapters