Editing George B. McClellan (section)

===Term in office===
Most likely due to his personal popularity and celebrity, McClellan's inauguration was held outdoors to accommodate the large crowd. In his inaugural address, he said the most urgent matter before the state was relief from the [[Panic of 1873]]. To that end, he advocated for cautious spending to allow for a state tax cut of fifty percent; by the end of McClellan's term, the state tax on residents was abolished entirely.<ref name=NJSLbio/>

Soon after taking office, McClellan fell out of favor with the State Senate over appointments and patronage.<ref name=NJSLbio/> The legislature also enacted several highly partisan measures designed to ensure Democratic control, including an aggressive [[gerrymander]] of the [[New Jersey Assembly]] districts and another disenfranchising college students (who tended to vote Republican). Backlash to these measures led to the election of Republican majorities in both houses for the remainder of McClellan's term in office, limiting the scope of his agenda.<ref name=NJSLbio/> McClellan's administration was marked by caution and conservatism.<ref name="QARcZ" /> Few concrete measures passed and those that did, such as the abolition of the state tax and improvements to the National Guard, were widely popular.<ref name=NJSLbio/>

In addition to tax reduction, McClellan's economic agenda included the institution of a Bureau of Statistics of Labor and Industries and the creation of an agricultural experiment station to modernize growing and farming practices. Both passed the legislature in 1878 and 1880, respectively. His administration stressed the necessity of education in the conversion of unskilled labor to skilled labor and in industrial development generally by expanding the state library and calling for trades training for young men in public schools, as suited for the local economy.<ref name=NJSLbio/>

McClellan also applied his military experience to improve the discipline, organization, and armament of the New Jersey National Guard. During his administration, two companies were equipped with [[Gatling guns]], a new battalion was organized, regular rifle practice was instituted, and provisions were made to supply new uniforms.<ref name=NJSLbio/>