#CriminalizeSobriety
Dallasfan65
Junior Chimp
Posts: 5,859
Political Matrix
E: 5.48, S: -9.65
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« on: March 26, 2014, 04:56:52 PM » |
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Vice President Cassius Clay's term in office would be as difficult as getting there. One year into office, miners sent to mine gold in the Black Hills (for the bimetallic standard) were attacked and killed by the Lakota and Cheyenne Indians. Despite President Cassius Clay's desire to maintain peace with Indian tribes, the public outcry was great. A tri-partisan coalition in the House voted to declare war on the two tribes. Known as the Cheyenne War, the United States fought for two years with the Indian tribes. Though initially a stalemate, a crucial victory of the forces led by George Custer would bring about a conclusion to the war. In addition to this, a coalition of Radicals and some Unionists passed the Railroad Oversight Act of 1882, which placed restrictions on the business practices of existing railroad trusts. This would lead to an economic downturn, between the sale of shares in railroad futures and the increase of the gold supply in the United States Reserve.
Citing his age and health problems, President Clay is not running for a second term. There are several individuals scrambling to succeed him. Amongst them are Vice President Arthur Sewall, who supports most of Clay's economic program, albeit the Railroad Oversight Act. Governor Grover Cleveland would like to see a transition to gold entirely, but opposed American involvement in the Cheyenne War and opposes statehood for the Dakota territory. Representative Henry Adams, a member of the Adams family, is running in support of Clay's actions regarding the railroad trusts, but also wishes to pursue further anti-monopoly legislation and civil service reform. There are also Senators James Blaine and Frederick Frelinghuysen.
The Whigs are in a precarious position. Having finished third-place in the past few elections, there are some who decry the Whig Party's existence as a spoiler. "A blight to the common man, and a boon to the Union," Benjamin Butler would remark. Governor Benjamin Harrison, still ambitious to get the Presidency, is encouraged by his previous strong showing - he would tout himself as savior of the Whigs, having saved them from their dismal showing with William Mahone. One man would make an unexpectedly bombastic speech on the floor - Representative James Weaver. Weaver is running for the Presidency on a platform of strict silver currency, railroad nationalization, immigration restrictions, and restoration of the Dakota territory to the Cheyenne tribes. On the opposite side is Samuel Randall of Pennsylvania, who opposes Clay's railroad regulations. Randall also is in favor of increasing the amount of gold in the federal reserves, steep tariffs, and western expansion. Newton Booth, running as a more moderate form of Weaver, derides him as a "Union's Whig - more comfortable in the company of Conkling than Lincoln." There is also an effort to co-opt the Whig nomination entirely in favor of Walter Gibson, two-time Radical candidate, as part of a "unity ticket."
The Radicals have assembled once more. Twice-denied, their resolve is stronger than ever. Walter Gibson is running for a final time, but is met with opposition once more among those who believe that he is a "double-loser." Amongst his opposition is Joseph Smith, nephew to the Manifest founder. Joseph Smith supports increasing standards for education, overseas exploration, popular sovereignty on the polygamy issue, and speaks vaguely about conservationism. John Ingalls is running once more, having since been exalted to the position of Speaker of the House as part of a Whig-Radical coalition. John Ingalls is in favor of Clay's railroad legislation and supports admitting the Dakota territory to the Union. Benjamin Butler, having sworn off politics for several years, is making a last-minute effort in response to efforts by some in the Radicals to nominate Benjamin Harrison, the Whig Party's previous nominee.
Three days.
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