Grover Cleveland actually said...

"The national flag be displayed at half-mast on the public buildings and on all national vessels on the day of the funeral."

"In testimony of respect to the memory of the honored dead it is ordered that the executive offices in Washington be closed on the day of the funeral and be draped in mourning for thirty days."

"The painful duty devolves upon the President to announce the death, at an early hour this morning, at his residence in this city, of Morrison R. Waite, Chief Justice of the United States."

"The sole purpose of the provision is to benefit the public service."