In 1892, he made an unsuccessful bid for president on a platform of bimetallism, but lost the nomination to Grover Cleveland, his longtime political rival and former running mate.

[1] While Cleveland had publicly advocated for civil service reform, Hill embraced the role of patronage in politics and built up a strong following.

[3] On May 15, 1885, Hill signed "a bill establishing a 'Forest Preserve' of 715,000 acres that was to remain permanently 'as wild forest lands.

During his tenure as governor, William Kemmler was executed in the electric chair, the first inmate in the country ever to be put to death in this manner.

On April 23, 1889, Hill vetoed a bill from the state legislature that would block the street construction at the Polo Grounds.

At the 1892 Democratic National Convention, Cleveland defeated Hill and Governor of Iowa Horace Boies on the first ballot.