The Mugwumps, including such men as Carl Schurz and Henry Ward Beecher, were more concerned with morality than with party, and felt Cleveland was a kindred soul who would promote civil service reform and fight for efficiency in government.
Disse mugwumps, deriblandt mænd som Carl Schurz og Henry Ward Beecher, var mere interesseret i idealer end i partiet og håbede, at Cleveland ville støtte deres kamp for en reform af statsadministrationen og effektiviseringer i regeringen.