of Albany's National Savings Bank, and a director of Albany's National Commercial Bank. He became vice president of the National Commercial Bank in 1881, and he ascended to the presidency after the 1882 death of Robert H. Pruyn. Manning was also interested in railroads, including serving on the Albany & Susquehanna Railroad's board of directors. In addition, after the invention of the incandescent light bulb, Manning served on the board of directors of the Electric Light Company of Albany. Manning was also a director of the Albany Railway Company, the city's street railroad. Political career A Democrat, for many years Manning was recognized as the leader of the party in Albany. He was a delegate to all the state Democratic conventions from 1874 to 1884. He served as a member of the state Democratic committee from 1874 to 1885, and secretary from 1879 to 1881. From 1881 to 1885, Manning was chair of the New York Democratic Party. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of 1876, 1880, and 1884. He was chair of the 1880 convention, and head of New York state's 1884 delegation. Manning was a friend and political ally of Samuel J. Tilden, and worked with him to oppose the political corruption of Tammany Hall and the Tweed Ring. During the 1884 United States presidential election, Manning was a leader of Grover Cleveland's campaign. At the national convention, he played a key role in obtaining the nomination for Cleveland, and his efforts on Cleveland's behalf were credited with aiding Cleveland's narrow victory in the general election. Secretary of the Treasury After Cleveland won the presidency, Tilden advocated for Manning's appointment as Secretary of the Treasury. Cleveland concurred, and Manning served from March 8, 1885, until resigning because of ill health on March 31, 1887. A fiscal conservative and advocate of the gold standard, as was Cleveland, Manning worked to preserve the Treasury’s cash surplus and increase its gold reserve. In addition, Manning advocated for tariff reduction. As a cabinet secretary who enjoyed Cleveland's confidence, Manning provided advice to Cleveland on fiscal and economic policy. As a trusted political advisor, Manning also provided input to Cleveland on appointees and issues that were not within Treasury's usual purview. Later life After leaving the Treasury Department, Manning accepted appointment as president of the Western National Bank of New York. He died of Brights disease at his home in