PRESIDENT BLAINE PASSES AWAYThe New York Time Special Edition – October 12, 1884The President of the United States is dead. Four months after being shot by a mad-man who went on to kill the President’s son, James G. Blaine has passed away from complications from the assassination attempt. Shortly after noon today, First Lady Harriet Stanwood Blaine was informed by a Colonel in the United States Army’s Medical Corps that an infection had spread deep into the President’s heart tissue and that he would pass “before supper was served.” That ominous prediction proved true, as President Blaine was declared dead at 4:45PM in Washington. Vice President George F. Hoar was promptly sworn in to office by Associate Justice Alphonso Taft, who happened to be in Washington at the time, while former President Ulysses S. Grant was informed by Republican Party lawyers that he has become the party’s nominee for President.
Governor Cleveland, President Grant Suspend CampaignsThe Washington Star – October 15, 1884Out of respect for the fallen President James G. Blaine, both the Democrats and the Republicans have agreed to stop campaigning for the Presidency. The Greenback Party candidates, Senator Allen G. Thurman and Governor John St. John, have not announced whether or not they will continue to campaign during the month or so leading up to the election. Many are now expecting former President Ulysses S. Grant to begin discussions with Republicans leaders on who should be placed on the ballot alongside him, as the Vice Presidential slot on the Republican ticket as fallen vacant. Some are calling for now-President George F. Hoar to be selected for Vice President, keeping the Republican ticket’s “two Presidents” composition.
Governor S. Grover Cleveland/General Williams Rosecrans – 164 Electoral VotesSenator Allen G. Thurman/Governor John St. John – 139 Electoral VotesFormer President Ulysses S. Grant – 98 Electoral VotesPresidential Election Thrown to House of RepresentativesNew York Times – November 4, 1884For only the second time in history, an election for President has been sent to the House of Representatives for adjudication. None of the three candidates for President, Governor S. Grover Cleveland, President Ulysses S. Grant, or Senator Allen G. Thurman, were able to capture a majority of the 401 Electoral College votes. Senator Thurman and his running mate, the Republican Governor of Kansas John St. John, made the bold move to continue to campaign after President James G. Blaine’s October passing. At first many thought this would cost them the election, instead it seems that it may have helped them greatly, as it allowed them to speak directly to voters without having to compete for newspaper inches.
In the Senate, which will be charged with electing the Vice President, Republicans were able to hold onto the majority, thanks to the Greenbacks. Greenbacks took two seats from the Democrats, winning in Alabama and Arkansas, and held on to their seats in California, Nevada, and Kansas, while also taking a seat from the Republicans in Colorado. Republicans were able to win in Florida, thanks to vote-splitting with the other parties. Those changes leave the Senate with 39 Republicans, 29 Democrats, and 8 Greenbacks, a bare majority for the Republicans.
Democrats walked away with 133 seats in the lower chamber, down 32 seats from the midterms. Republicans won 99 seats, down 31. That left the Greenbacks to post huge gains in the House of Representatives, gaining a massive 64 seats, giving them 92. One White League Representative was elected in Mississippi. With no party holding a majority in the House, the Speakership is uncertain. It is the opinion of this paper that, at a time when there is no clarity in the Presidential race, it should fall on the Speaker to be a symbol of national unity and leadership. Without a Speaker, where does that mantle fall?
