Bryan defeats McKinley, 1896!

[TommyC1776]

As 1910 begins Congress brings up legislation that would expand the authority to the Interstate Commerce Commission over rail and communications companies.

On May 6th Britains King Edward VII dies.  Vice President Roosevelt goes over there to pay respects.

The House passes it 251-140.  A week later the Senate passes it 53-39.  President Lincoln signs it into law.  It is called the Rail And Communications Act of 1910.

Then a week later a bill comes to the floor about outlawing interstate transportation of woman.   This act would make the FBI bigger and it would target men having sex with younger woman.  The House passes it 267-124.  The Senate then passes it 55-37.  This would come to be known as the Mann Act of 1910.

Senate Minority Leader Bryan says he hopes the Dems can get to 50 seats in the Senate.   The Senate and House take their summer breaks and will come back in August.

[TommyC1776]

The Congress comes back from summer recess and most of them are getting ready for the election to see what happens.

They consider bringing up woman's rights but decide to leave that to a later date.

Midterm Elections (1910)
House: 214 Reps, 175 Dems, 2 Soc.
Senate: 50 Dems, 40 Reps, 1 Soc., 1 Ind.

The Democrats are gaining ground.  They have control of the Senate and did very well in the House.

Bryan won his re-election 65% over his opponent.  On March 4, 1911 William Jennings Bryan will become Majority Leader.

Bryan makes a speech saying:

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President Lincoln is disapointed in the results but plans to have a good 2 more years until he leaves office.

Once Lincoln decides he isn't running in 1912 VP Roosevelt states "My hat is in the ring for the Republican nomination in 1912."

Coming up: 1911.

[TommyC1776]

62nd Congress setup:

Senate Majority Leader: William Jennings Bryan.
Senate Minority Leader: Robert LaFollette.

Speaker of the House: Joseph Cannon.
House Majority Leader: Sereno E. Payne.
House Minority Leader: John W. Davis.

Former Speaker, Jesse R Grant (R-OH), declined to seek re-election in 1910 so he could run for the Republican nomination for President in 1912.

As the Congress started Speaker of the House Joe Cannon proposed legislation that would make the House seats to 435 members.

The House debated this issue for a few weeks and it finally passed in May.  The House passed it overwhelmingly 260-131.  Then it went to the Senate where William Jennings Bryan started debate on the issue.  The Senate passed it at the end of May.  They passed it 67-25.  Then  President Lincoln signed it into law.  This will become law effectively on March 4, 1913.

The Congress then went for Summer Recess.  Senator Bryan said "The Senates recess won't be that long so we can get more done."  Bryan hopes to bring up the Income Tax Amendment soon.  He plans to meet with the President as well as Speaker Cannon to discuss the issue.

[PBrunsel]

Tommy,

This is an outstanding timeline. I enjoy the fact that Lincolns, Grants and Bryan have risen to prominence once again. Do you intend for Speaker Cannon to contiune his strong hold on the House, or will Nebraska populist George Norris and his Irish allies take down the iron rein of "Fowl Mouth Joe?" Does a progressive President Lincoln support ending Cannon's rein?

Once again, a great read. You are a giften timeline writer.    

[TommyC1776]

by the end of 1911 some people have declared their interest in the Presidential nominations for 1912.  

Republicans Running:
Vice President Teddy Roosevelt
Former Speaker of the House Jesse R Grant
Senate Minority Leader Robert LaFollette
Former Sec. of War william H. Taft.

Democrats Running:
NJ Governor Woodrow Wilson
Champ Clark
Alton Parker.

The primaries are coming.  Get excited.

PBrunsel: You will have to see.

[TommyC1776]

Tommy,

This is an outstanding timeline. I enjoy the fact that Lincolns, Grants and Bryan have risen to prominence once again. Do you intend for Speaker Cannon to contiune his strong hold on the House, or will Nebraska populist George Norris and his Irish allies take down the iron rein of "Fowl Mouth Joe?" Does a progressive President Lincoln support ending Cannon's rein?

Once again, a great read. You are a giften timeline writer.    

I've done my research too.

[TommyC1776]

As 1911 comes to a close, more and more states are approving the 16th Amendment about Income Tax.

President Lincoln really wishes that "Fowl Mouth Joe" Cannon would leave as he has had many disagreements with the Speaker.  Cannon states "I am here until I people vote me out."

Senate Leader William J Bryan starts campaigning for Democrats next fall.  He hopes the Dems can get the House in the 1912 elections.

Meanwhile, as 1912 gets closer, President Lincoln announces that he will definately support the Vice President's Presidential run.

Something will be a little different in 1912, though.  There will be primaries in a few states.

On January 6, 1912 New Mexico becomes the 47th State.   A month later Arizona becomes the 48th state.

The Senate now looks like: 52 Dems, 42 Reps, 1 Soc., 1 Ind.
the House looks like: 215 Reps, 177 Dems, 2 Soc.

The primaries will be here very soon.  Get excited please.

[TommyC1776]

Campaign 1912:

Here come the primaries.

On March 19th, Senate Minority Leader Bob LaFollette wins the Republican North Dakota Primary 61% to Roosevelt's 34% and Grant's 5%.  Woodrow Wilson wins the ND primary (50%) for the Dems over Champ Clark (41%) and Alton Parker (9%).

Over the next 2 weeks New York and Wisconsin vote.  On the Republican side Roosevelt wins New York with 69% and LaFollette wins WI with 71%.  On the Democratic side Wilson wins NY and WI.  Alton Parker comes in a close second in New York.

By this time Alton Parker decides to call the race quits.  He doesn't endorse either Clark or Wilson yet.

Roosevelt makes a remark about LaFollette "I didn't realize I was going to have to fight hard for this nomination. Normally you'd think I'd have this race sewn up.  But I am always up for a fight."

The next primary up is Illinois and President Lincoln is campaigning hard their in hopes that Roosevelt will win there.

Senate Leader William J Bryan warns the Democrats that Roosevelt is a very hard campaigner and that they all better be ready, if they want to win, for a good fight.

[TommyC1776]

Illinois: April 9th

Reps:
Roosevelt 60%
LaFollette 35%
Grant 5%.

Dems:
Wilson 57%
Clark 43%.

the next few primaries:

Republicans: Roosevelt wins PA and OR.  LaFollette wins Nebraska.  By this time Rosevelt is the frontrunner for the GOP.

Democrats: Wilson wins both PA and OR.   Clark wins Nebraska. (This is Clark's first win.)

Jesse R. Grant decides to drop out and endorse LaFollette.  He says "I am going to end my campaign today.  It's been interesting.  Thank you all who supported me.  I go on and endorse Senator LaFollette."

[TommyC1776]

Champe Clark drops out because he believes his win in Nebraska was little too late.  He states he is considering running for Senate in 1914.

By now, Wilson is perceived as the presumptive Democratic nominee.  He selects Thomas Marshall of Indiana as his running mate.

Meanwhile, on the Republican side Roosevelt wins in Massachusetts, Maryland, Ohio and New Jersey while LaFollette wins in South Dakota and California.  Roosevelt is now the presumptive Republican nominee.  Roosevelt decides to pick Robert LaFollette as his running mate.

Then, Eugene Debs declares another run for the Presidency as a Socialist.

Now it's Roosevelt/LaFollette vs. Wilson/Marshall vs. Debs/Seidel.

Meanwhile, Senate Leader Bryan states that woman's rights will be brought up before this session is done.

[TommyC1776]

Then comes a surprise:  President Lincoln announces he is going to run for the Senate this year.  He knows he can win the seat.  This announcement overshadows Roosevelts run for the White House, for a few weeks.

Wilson goes around and asks everyone "Has Roosevelt really done much as Vice President?  He really wasnt in the spotlight that much.  He's basically Lincoln's puppet."

Roosevelt resented that last remark and said "I do agree with the President on most issues but that doesn't mean I am his puppet.  I have my own plans for when I am elected President.  I wish Governor Wilson would take back his remarks."

Wilson says "There's been some good things these past 12 years but some bad too. Let's go and show the Republicans we are better at bringing change."

Not long before the convention Roosevelt asks a crowd of supporters "How can Wilson lead the country if he's only been Governor for 1 1/2 years?  We need someone with experience and that would be me."

Conventions will be soon.

[Хahar 🤔]

Excellent job, Tommy. This is quite good.

[TommyC1776]

Republican Convention:

Vice President Roosevelt is nominated on the first ballot over Seantor LaFollette.

first ballot:
Roosevelt, 630
LaFollette, 89
Grant, 9.

Roosevelt tells convention "We will win this election and win big.  I promise to continue the road we are going on."

Roosevelt/LaFollette is the Republican ticket.


Democratic Convention:

Woodrow Wilson is nominated on the first ballot over Congressman Champ Clark.

first ballot:
Wilson, 990
Clark, 86

Wilson says, in his acceptance speech, "Democrats, lets so the Vice President that we don't want 4 more years of Republican rule.  We just won't accept it."  "Let's go into this campaign and show the Vice President that we mean business."

Senate Majority Leader William J Bryan states "Us as Democrats must win this election to show we can beat a popular man.   Do you want woman to have voting rights?  Do you want direct election of Senators?"

The convention goes "Yes we do!  Yes we do!  Yes we do!" for 20 minutes.

The Wilson/Marshall ticket is nominated.


The general campaign will start soon.

[TommyC1776]

Campaign 1912:

After the conventions, Wilson, Roosevelt and Debs hit the streets to ask for votes.

Debs makes a speech in New York saying to people "What really has your native son done for the country?  Think about that.   Also, I will need your help to win in November.   Wilson and Roosevelt are just more of the same.  We need more parties and more people voting in elections."

Republican VP candidate, Bob LaFollette, calls Wilson a flip-flopper because he was conservative but then became a Progressive.  LaFollette asks voters "Can we really have a flip-flopper in the White House?  I don't think so."

Roosevelt goes on the stump telling voters "I know how to deal with foreign affairs as I have been to some countries all across this world.  I've met with foreign leaders.  I helped negotiate a treaty between Russia and Japan back during the Russo-Japanese War.  Remember that?"

As election day nears Roosevelt is confident he will win.  He decides to take leave from the campaign trail and just rest.

Finally a week before the election, Roosevelt goes out to Illinois to campaign for the President's Senate bid there.  He tells people "Look at how good the President did for the country.  Imagine what he can do for the people of Illinois."

[TommyC1776]

With Bryan campaigning hard the last few days for Wilson the Mid-West and Western states become a little closer than normal because Bryan is very likeable.

Roosevelt-blue
Wilson-red.

PV%: Roosevelt 48%, Wilson 45%, Debs 7%.

Woodrow Wilson concedes the election.  He had hoped to win but he was happy that he didn't lose by too much.

Senate and House results soon.

[TommyC1776]

President Lincoln won his Senate run with 75% to his Democratic opponent.

Lincoln thanked his supporters and was ready for another 6 years in Washington.

Senate Results: 53 Dems, 42 Rep., 1 Soc.
House Results: 220 Dems, 214 Reps, 1 Soc.

The Democrats will control both Houses of Congress starting March 4, 1913.

President-elect Roosevelt is disapointed that he won't be starting with a Republican Congress.

He plans to work well with Senate Leader Bryan, newly elected House Speaker Champ Clark and new elected House Majority Leader John W. Davis on March 4th.

Newly elected Senate Minority Leader: Robert Lincoln and newly elected House Minority Leader: Jesse R Grant.

[TommyC1776]

As 1913 begins the 62nd Congress will be coming to an end.

Joe Cannon won't be Speaker anymore.  The Democrats as well as some Republicans including the President are happy about that.

Senate Leader William J Bryan says "If we don't get the womans rights issue addressed in this Congress then it certainly will be addressed in the next Congress starting in March."

Speaker Cannon says he won't bring up the woman's right issue.   House Minority Leader Champ Clark makes a speech on the floor saying "This issue should be brought up on the floor no matter what your opinion is of it."  Some Democrats and some Republicans in the House urge the Speaker to bring this up.

Finally the Speaker agrees to bring this up.  He calls for a debate on February 24th.  Cannon's call for it being so late is he hopes that it won't get to the Senate before March 4th.  Senate Leader Bryan says "This is a dispicable act by Cannon."

The House debates the bill for a couple days and then they vote on it February 27th.  The vote in the House is 198 against and 190 for it.  It was a close vote but it doesn't get passed and can't go onto the Senate.

Champ Clark says when he's Speaker he will make sure this issue is brought up again.

The new Congress begins March 4, 1913 as well as VP Roosevelt is inaugurated President.

President-elect Roosevelt states:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

President Roosevelt asks to meet with Democratic leaders Senator William J Bryan, Speaker Champ Clark and House Leader John W. Davis to discuss the next Congress and other issues.

[TommyC1776]

In the House Speaker Clark proposes an idea of moving the income tax rate from 40% to 25%.  He proposes the Revenue Act of 1913.

The House votes on it 230-205 in favor of it.  Now it is on to the Senate where Senate leader William J Bryan schedules a vote on it a few days later.

The Senate ends up voting 55-41 votes.  With it passing in the Senate it is then sent to the President for becoming law.  President Roosevelt decides to sign it into law.

A month later President Roosevelt signs the 17th Amendment into law allowing direct election of Senators and Congress.

Congress takes a recess for a month.

[TommyC1776]

Congress resumes on July 10th.  After taking a recess Speaker of the House Champ Clark decides to address the issue and calls for a vote on it.

Clark says "Whether you are for or against this issue, we must address it and now seems to be the time for that."

The vote is scheduled to be on July 20th.   Even House Minority Leader Jesse R Grant says "It's time to address this issue."

The House vote on the issue is 213-202 for the Amendment.  Then it is sent over to the Senate where Bryan hopes to vote on the issue real soon.

Senate Leader Bryan schedules a vote on August 1st.

The vote will continue soon.....................

[TommyC1776]

As the Senate gets ready to vote some Republicans and a few Democrats protest voting on this.

Senate Leader Bryan urges the vote to go ahead.  The Senate ends up voting 46-44.  Some Republicans and Democrats try to filibuster the debate.  The Senate cant get enough to stop the filibuster.

Senate Leader Bryan urges the Senate to try again next year.  He says he's disapointed in the way the vote turned out.

President Roosevelt and Senate Majority Leader William J Bryan go on tour together promoting woman's rights and asking people to write their Congressman or Senator.

Having them travel together is showing that both the Dems and Reps can work together very well.

After this trip the Senate takes a week recess.  They decide to bring up the Federal Reserve Act of 1913.

Clark schedules a vote on this in September.

[TommyC1776]

The House votes for the Federal Reserve Act of 1913.  The bill would make a centralized bank.  The vote is 245-185.  It passes in the House.  Now it's onto the Senate.

The Senate votes on it 54-40.  Then it is sent to the President.   President Roosevelt signs it into law on October 19th, 1913.

Congress adjourns for the rest of the year.

Republicans are getting ready for the 1914 midterm elections when they hope to win more seats in both Houses.

Champ Clark and William J Bryan are getting ready to elect more Dems.    Bryan as well as Clark say "We need more Democrats to get more legislation passed."

The first order of business in 1914 for the Senate is to address woman's voting rights.  Clark plans to bring that up in the House too.

Get ready for 1914.

[TommyC1776]

As 1914 begins Speaker Clark schedules a vote on woman's voting rights for February.

The House hears debate for woman's rights for a week and they vote on it in mid February.  After letters coming into them some House members decide to vote for it.  They vote 249-182.  It passes in the House.  Speaker Clark declares "I am glad that we got others to help pass this Amendment in the House."

In the Senate most of the Democrats are for it and they make sure they are available that day.  A few Republicans and a few Democrats want to filibuster the issue again.

Bryan urges as many Senators to vote for this as possible because he doesn't want another filibuster.

The Senators opposed to this try and stall voting on this.  Bryan says for the Senate to vote the next day.  The Senate does vote 44 against and 43 for it.  It fails in the Senate as not all Senators are there.

Next Speaker Clark asks the House to pass a bill for extensive services to land-grant universities.  This will let people know about economics and such.

The bill (Smith Lever Act of 1914) passes 262-173.  It is then sent to the Senate where it passes without debate 59-37 in May.

Then the Congress takes a summer recess.

President Roosevelt starts going to campaign for Republicans as this is an election year.  He knows that the Republicans probably won't win the Senate back yet but have a chance in the House.

As June 1914 gets here it looks like war could break out in Europe as there's starting to be an issue with Serbia and Autria-Hungary.  First Archduke Ferdinand is assasinated at the end of the month.

In mid July  Austria-Hungary ends diplomatic relations with Serbia.

President Roosevelt states "The US will take action in this war if we must."  (refering to if it gets any worse over there.)

With a Democratic Congress he's not sure he can get Congressional approval to declare war if he must.

[TommyC1776]

Democratic Senate Leader William J Bryan says "Peace is our only way.  We must show the President that unless were attacked to not declare war.  Aiding or allies during a war is fine but we don't declare war unless we're attacked."

Speaker Clark issued a similar statement to the House.

As August gets here Russia, Belgium and France had entered the war.   That's when President Roosevelt urged Congress to declare war.

Democrats and some Republicans in both Houses rejected Roosevelt's call for war.  The President also made clear his anti-German American views.  This irked Bryan a little as he figured everyone was equal under the eyes of the law.

During the fall Bryan reminded voters of what would happend if Republicans won control of one of the Houses or both.  "War is the only thing that they will do."

In September House Speaker Clark pushed for an anti-trust bill and it passed the House easily 264-170.  In the Senate it passes 56-40.  It is called the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914.

midterm elections soon.  Democrats go across the country asking for the votes of affected Americans and German Americans saying they don't discriminate (well some of them don't.)

[TommyC1776]

Midterm Elections 1914:
House: 229 Dems, 203 Reps, 3 Soc.
Senate: 54 Dems, 40 Reps, 2 Soc.

Speaker of the House: Champ Clark (MO)
House Majority Leader: Woodrow Wilson (NJ)
House Republican Leader: Jesse R Grant (OH)
House Socialist Leader: Meyer London (NY)

Senate Majority Leader: William J Bryan
Senate Rep Leader: Charles Fairbanks
Senate Soc. Leader: Eugene Debs (elected in 1913 in Special Election).

[TommyC1776]

As 1915 gets here VP LaFollette says he may resign in protest of the President's plan for war.

In May of that year German's attack the Lusitania boat.   That gives the President even more reason to go to war.

House Speaker Champ Clark decides to vote on the war.   The Speaker is considering voting to go to war with Germany because of the Lusitania incident.   The vote in the House is 223-212 against the war.

President Roosevelt is outraged that the House isn't calling for war.

At this time the Vice President decides to resign.  June 23rd, 1915.

He gathers in front of some reporters.

LaFollette says:

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President Roosevelt makes a quick statement "It was the Vice President's decision to leave.  I would have rather seen him not but it's his decision."

Democrats see a chance to unseat the President next year.  Senate Leader Bryan states "The Roosevelt administration is falling apart."

Senator Eugen Debs says "Let's not go to war at this time.  We must stop the President from declaring war.  I plan to help be part of the Senators and Congressman who will try and stop him."