Bryan defeats McKinley, 1896!

[TommyC1776]

Campaign 1904:

After the conventions are over, it's campaign time.  President Lincoln goes across the country campaigning hard for re-election.  He reminds the American people of the hard times they had under Grover Cleveland, when he was President.

He states:

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Cleveland makes a statement about Republicans:

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William Jennings Bryan and other Northern Democrats don't like the freedom part of Cleveland's speech as they think Government should be giving some help to Americans.

As election day nears, it seems that President Lincoln will win re-election.  Teddy Roosevelt is out on the stump for Lincoln in the last months.

Senator Adlai Stevenson tells a crowd of people that Cleveland is the best choice in this election.

Dem VP candidate Ben Tillman states "What the Senate Majority Leader is saying is true.  Former President Cleveland is the best choice this November."

Meanwhile Socialist candidate, Eugene V Debs, is saying "I am more of the candidate for the people than either of the 2 major candidates are.  I respect the people's wish and want to help them out.  America, listen to me as Lincoln and Cleveland aren't the right choices at this time.  Come on my journey to win the White House in November.  We must win as we will fight for people."

Cleveland and Lincoln hear about this speech but just mainly ignore it.  Cleveland does address it in one way by saying "America needs me as President as we need change in this country from Republicans.  I am the right choice at this time."

[TommyC1776]

Lincoln-blue
Cleveland-red.

PV%: Lincoln 53% Cleveland 45.8% Debs 1% Swallow 0.2%

[TommyC1776]

Home States:

NY: Lincoln 50% Cleveland 47% Debs 2.9% Swallow 0.1%.
IL: Lincoln 60% Cleveland 39% Debs 1%.

Cleveland issues a concession speech:

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Now to the Congress results:

House: 245 Reps, 141 Dems.
Senate: 46 Reps, 43 Dems, 1 Pop.

Now President Lincoln has Republican control of both Houses.  He can get things done now.

Senate Leader Stevenson says he will consider bringing the Civil Rights issue to the floor again before the Congress adjourns next March.

[TommyC1776]

I noticed that your timelines have been getting much, much better. Good job

Likewise. Though it would be good also Tommy if you included some foreign events and I know some signficant ones will be taking place shortly upon President Lincoln's re-election over Grover Cleveland in 1904.

ok.  I was actually just thinking I made that mistake too.

[TommyC1776]

The Russo-Japenese War is still going on.  The Japenese had been winning just about every battle.

As 1905 began the fall of Port Arthur came to be.  The forces continued north and still kept defeating the Russians.  A few weeks later the Russians attacked the Japenese near Sandepu.  The 2nd Army Officer (Grittenberg) was ordered to a halt.

Meanwhile, back in the US, Senate Majority Leader Adlai Stevenson meets with (still) Minority Leader Roosevelt and talks about what to do with the Civil Rights Act of 1904.  They end up deciding to leave it as is, for the time being anyways.

There seems that there might be peaceful solutions soon in the Russo-Japenese War.

On March 4, 1905 President Robert Lincoln and newly VP Roosevelt were inaugurated.

Lincoln's inauguration speech:

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The new Congress is set up like this:

Senate:
Majority Leader: Charles Fairbanks
Minority Leader: William Jennings Bryan (who was elected in 1904).

House:
Speaker: Jesse R Grant
Majority Leader: William Frye
Minority Leader: Champ Clark

At the end of March it looks as the war between Russia and Japan will be over soon.  President Lincoln plans to be one of the mediators between the 2 countries.

Congress is considering passing a bill that would give some aide to the 2 countries for the damage.

As Summer is slowly coming, it looks as if there might be an agreement between Russia and Japan.  Robert Lincoln goes to Japan and meets with the leaders.  It's a success as the war is over by June 15th.  The President gets nominated for a Noble Peace Prize for his work here.

Congress passes the Russia-Japanese War Bill in both Houses.  It gives some aide to the 2 countries.  President Lincoln signs it right away.  The bill just lasts until December.  More later................................

[TommyC1776]

Congress adjourns for a month.

During this time Albert Einstein discovers the theory of relativity.

In late July Secretary of War William H. Taft signs a treaty with Japan recognizing Japan's influence in Korea and the US's influence in the Phillipines.

In October the Wright Brother's third airplane lasts over a 1/2 hour in the air.  The airplane is becoming a success.

Now, as 1906 begins theres an earthquake in California.  This is the worst earthquake yet.  Vice President Roosevelt goes to see the damage.

He urges Congress to pass some kind of relief bill.  The House and Senate pass the California Relief Act of 1906 in February.  It barely passes in both chambers.  President Lincoln signs it into law on February 10th.

Later that month a book by Upton Sinclair is published: "The Jungle".  It reveals things that happen in the meat industry.  This leads Congress to debate the issue for over a month.

They pass the Meat Sanitary Act of 1906.  This makes sure the meat is clean and pure.  It is passed on March 19th.  Then they end up passing the Food And Drug Act of 1906, which regulates the food and drugs that come into this country and the same that are made here.  It is passed on April 2nd.

Upton Sinclair ends up winning the Noble Peace Prize for his work on that book.  President Lincoln praises Sinclair and says he's a "very very smart man."

Meanwhile, Republicans look forward to winning more seats in Congress this fall.  President Lincoln says hes considering another run for President.  He decides to wait and decide after the midterm elections.

At the end of May President Lincoln goes to see, the almost finished, Panama Canal.  He comes back and reports "There's been great success in the project."

As summer comes Congress adjourns for a few months.  When they come back they only have a few months before the election.

President Lincoln reminds voters that "We have got alot done in the last 2 years for this Congress.  Come out and vote Republican this fall.  We've made sure the meat you eat is very safe.   We've done other things such as helped Japan and Russia.  That's one of the biggest accomplishments of this year.  Another accomplishment was the bill for California's earthquake.  Whatever you do, just go out and vote this fall."

Next up: midterm elections as well as Lincoln's decision on whether to run again in 1908.

[TommyC1776]

Midterm Election 1906:

House: 256 Reps, 128 Dems, 1 Pop., 1 Soc.
Senate: 49 Reps, 39 Dems, 2 Pops.

Republicans maintain a majority in the House and Senate.

The same leaders from the 1904 elections as far as the Senate and House.

Right after the election President Lincoln says "I have decided to run again in 1908.  I know a third term is an unprecedented thing but I love this job and I am having fun in it too."

This means that if Roosevelt wants to run for President he will wait until 1912.

As 1906 comes to an end it seems that Secretary of War William H Taft is considering running against Lincoln for the GOP nod because he thinks that there should only be 2-term Presidents.

Taft makes a statement: (January 1907)

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[TommyC1776]

Hey Tommy...I just came back from a hiatus and I must say that this is very well done!

Cheers!!!

Thanks.  I know I am doing better.  I am researching better and yeah.  Thanks again.

[TommyC1776]

As the new Congress starts to convene in March of 1907, the stock market crashes.  It was caused by over-expansive abd poor speculation.  Money started to become tight to get.

President Lincoln assured Americans that this was it:

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This speech touched Americans.

An employee (Jacob Schiff) of Kuhn, Loeb & Co. said that we need to do something soon or disaster might happen.

J. P. Morgan stated a month or so later that we need to be wary of trust laws.

As this went on Democrats screamed "Look what he has done.  Look what he has done."  (Refering to Lincoln and the recession.).

[TommyC1776]

In July Korea becomes a protectorate for Japan.  This is part of what happened during the Russo-Japanese War.

Congress keeps debating bills that will help the financial crisis Americans are suffering.

They go on a recess for a couple months.  As fall comes the House and Senate have been discussing a bill that could become law in 1908 as far as financial aid.

Meanwhile, Secretary of War William H Taft resigns so he can challenge the President for the GOP nomination.

Lincoln is going across the country to let Americans know he cares about them.

Taft makes a statement "What has the President got done so far this Congress?  Name one thing.  Just one."  Some people start to wonder about what Taft said.

At the end of October J. P. Morgan and other financers put $25 million into the NYSE and it looked like the Stock Market had a chance.

Wait and see...........................ok?

[TommyC1776]

In November 1907 Oklahoma becomes the 46th state.  This makes the Senate with 92 members and the House with 391 members.

House: 257 Reps, 132 Dems, 1 Pop., 1 Soc.
Senate: 49 Reps, 41 Dems, 2 Pops.

As 1907 comes to an end the country's doing a little better financially.  President Lincoln reports "We have had a rough year but we got through it."

As 1908 began Congress began debating a bill that would invetigate the panic and regulate banking.

They passed the Banking Regulation Act of 1908 by big margins in both Houses.  This established the National Monetary System.

Democrats that are running for the nomination this year are: Alton Parker, William Jennings Bryan and House Minority Leader Champ Clark.

Republicans: President Lincoln is getting a challenge from former Sec. of War Taft.  This isn't a serious threat though.

Next up: Conventions 1908.  Continued later...................

[TommyC1776]

Republican Convention: June 16th-19th, 1908

President Robert Lincoln is nominated on the first ballot.  Taft then endorses the President.

1st ballot:
Robert Lincoln, 967
William Howard Taft, 12.

Vice President Roosevelt is renominated for Vice President.

President Lincoln says:

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Democratic Convention: July 8th-10th, 1908

1st ballot:
William J Bryan, 650
Alton Parker, 253
Champ Clark, 90

Clark drops out and endorses Bryan.

2nd ballot:
William J Bryan, 765
Alton Parker, 228

Bryan is nominated on the 2nd ballot.

William Jennings Bryan picks Alton Parker as his running mate.

Bryan tells the delegates:

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1908 election: Lincoln/Roosevelt vs. Bryan/Parker vs. Debs/Hanford.

[TommyC1776]

Campaign 1908:

Bryan makes speeches about Lincoln not getting much done and for the recessions of 1906 and 1907.  He often asks people "Can we trust this President?  What has he done in the last 4 years?"

He also says during the campaign "President Lincoln could be my dad.  He's 65 this year. I'm still in my 40's."

Lincoln comes back and says "Being older means more experience and more understanding of things."

The Democrats plan to win back the Senate, at least, this year.  Bryan tells Americans "I will stand up for you.  Some of you people especially the poor haven't really been spoken for yet.  We also need a better economy."

Eugene Debs comes out again railing against the 2 parties.  "America needs an effective third party."  He says.

Election day is getting closer.  Bryan hope he wins and he hopes he wins big.

Right before Election Day, former Senate Majority/Minority Leader, Adlai Stevenson comes out and says "We must elect a Democrat with the way things are going. Trust me."

Up next: Election Day.

[TommyC1776]

Lincoln-blue.
Bryan-red.

PV%: Lincoln 51.2%, Bryan 47%, Debs 1.8%.

William J Bryan does really well this election but doesn't win.

President Lincoln says "We won and I knew we could win."

House and Senate results soon.

[TommyC1776]

Congress results:
House: 241 Reps, 148 Dems, 2 Soc.
Senate: 46 Reps, 45 Dems, 1 Soc.

The Republicans still control Congress but in the Senate they only have a one-seat advantage.

Bryan's concession speech:

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Bryan goes back to being Senate Minority Leader.

The President says "Bryan is a couragous leader.  He truly stands for what he believes.  Good race Senator."

[TommyC1776]

As the new (61st) Congress comes to power on March 4th.

The leaders are now:

Senate:
Majority Leader: Charles Fairbanks
Minority Leader: William Jennings Bryan

House:
Speaker: Jesse R Grant
Majority Leader: Joseph Cannon
Minority Leader: Champ Clark

On April 20th the House passes the Tarriff Act of 1909 which they discuss a tariff on goods entering the country.  The House votes 270-121.  Then it goes to the Senate where it takes a few days but it passes on April 23rd with 56-34.  President Lincoln signs it into law.

Congress adjourns for a summer break.

In August Congress starts talking about an Amendment for income tax.   They debate it for awhile and finally in October they pass it.  The House and Senate pass it handily.  It is then sent to the 46 states.

Minority Leader of the Senate, William Jennings Bryan, is getting ready to run for re-election in 1910 for the Senate and he hopes that the Democrats will get control of the Senate in the 1910 midterm elections.

[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.

[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.