Alternate US History (1788 onwards)

[West_Midlander]

The Primaries IV
New York Primary

Lieutenant Governor

Democratic
Daniel De Leon 54.8%
Thomas F. Conway 44.1%
De Leon trounced his opponent, a lawyer handpicked by the Democratic bosses.
Republican
Edward Schoeneck 89.3%
Socialist
Daniel De Leon (write-in) 99.8%
Independence League (Independence Party)
Daniel De Leon (write-in) 93.1%
Prohibition
Calvin McCarthy 97.6%
Socialist Labor
Daniel De Leon (write-in) 95.6%

[West_Midlander]

(I had forgotten the Republican primaries for NJ and NY, but have now edited those posts to add them in).

[West_Midlander]

Party Affairs
In August, the Socialist, Socialist Labor, and Independence Party had a joint national convention in Richmond, VA. At the convention, the parties outlined their similar platforms and aims especially under President Hearst. Party fusion had been on the minds of party members for quite some time. The delegates were allocated according to party membership. There were 1001 delegates in total. 27 delegates represented the Socialist Labor Party. 160 delegates represented the Independence League/Party and 814 delegates represented the Socialists. The three party chairs would attend the convention as delegates, leading each faction. Prior to the convention, all three chairs agreed on Secretary of Commerce & Labor Kate Richards O'Hare to serve as overall chair of the tri-party convention. A vote of unification required a simple majority in each party and at large.

Should Socialist Labor merge with Independence and Socialist?
20-7 aye
Should Independence merge with Socialist and Socialist Labor?
94-66 aye
Should Socialist merge with Independence and Socialist Labor?
783-31 aye
Should Socialist, Independence, and Socialist Labor merge?
906-95 aye
Should the name of the new party be: Socialist-Independence-Labor (Party)?
851-150 aye

Chair Kate Richards O'Hare moved that the merger not take place until December 1st, 1910 to avoid complications with races the coming November. The members agreed by acclamation.

After a few days of speeches and the initial votes, most delegates were sent home. In the remaining days of the convention, the 37-delegate platform council convened. Each party chair remained and O'Hare remained to chair the overall proceedings and to break a tie in the event of a tie due to abstention(s). The delegates were allocated in proportion to the 1001 delegates at large. 1 delegate, the chair of his party, represented Socialist Labor. 6 total delegates represented Independence, one being the chair. 30 delegates represented Socialist, one being the chairman.

The Socialist Labor chair recommend the committee take up Marxism as part of the official platform. The motion failed 32-5. By acclamation, members agreed to add Marxism as a factional tenant to the party.

By a vote of 30-7, the committee took up the policy of Anti-Authoritarianism.

By 25-12, the committee took up Socialism.

By 20-17, the committee took up Pacifism.

By a vote of 24-13, the committee rejected the Merit System. The committee agreed to support it as a factional tenant of the platform by acclamation.

By a vote of 37-0, the committee passed Reformism into the platform.

By a vote of 18-18, with one abstention the committee tied on progressivism. Honorary Chair O'Hare voted in favor of the motion, passing it 19-18.

Notes: A tenant of the Socialist Party was anti-Stalinism, he hadn't taken power yet, so I listed it as anti-Authoritarianism. The Socialist Labor party believed in Marxism-De Leonism, seeing as De Leon is still alive and running for major office as a Democrat ITTL, I cut it to just Marxism. The Merit System is the opposition of the spoils system (putting friends in power) popularized by Andrew Jackson. It would be hypocritical for SIL to support this while Hearst puts his perhaps unqualified allies into positions of power, so the Socialists voted it down. Reformism is the concept of standing against political bosses controlling areas of the country.

Socialist-Independence-Labor Party Platform of 1910-1911
Anti-Authoritarianism
Socialism
Pacifism
Reformism
Progressivism
Factions:
Marxism
Pro-Merit System

In the future, the party leadership would be subject to similar rules as a united party and any future chairship elections would be party wide. The former Socialist Party chair would serve as the first SIL chair and the former Socialist Labor and the former Independence chairs would serve as his vice chairmen. The vice chairman, by unanimous agreement, could override the chairman if there were 2+ vice chairs. For the time being, the permanent members of the SIL National Committee would be the 1001 members called to Richmond this year. The 37 delegate council would be the first rules and bylaws committee. All above mentioned workings of party leadership was approved by the council in 1910. The only difference in delegate membership to the National Committee and Rules & Bylaws Committee is that the chair and vice chair could not serve as delegates while in leadership and would have to pick replacements. After the 1910 convention ended, honorary Chairwoman O'Hare, stepped down and returned to her work in Washington.

[West_Midlander]

Party Affairs II
Hearst visited the Senate late in the day by the time attendance had fallen. Hearst explained briefly that he had "differences" with John Alden Dix, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee of California. Hearst said he would not have expressed this if it were not for his party's Senators' insistence on an endorsement. Hearst ended his statement saying that he encouraged voters to by and large, vote Democratic down the ballot, all the time.

In the beginning of August, the conservative Democrats assembled on the steps of the Capitol and called out the President, saying he should always support the party's democratically chosen nominees. Many conservative Democrats and some moderates declared they would register Independent, so long as Hearst led the party. Members of the House joined them. Some who had disagreements with Hearst (some senators, many representatives) stayed in the party in fear of losing their seats in 1910, being primaried in 1912, or losing funds from 1910 onwards.

Composition of the US Senate
Democrats: 34 (-14)
Republicans: 30
Independents: 14 (+14)
Socialists: 12

Democratic leadership, under advice of the President, announced a Democratic-Socialist coalition. Democrats would retain their control of the chamber by a slim 46/45 needed for a majority.

Composition of the US House
Democrats: 166 (-41)
Republicans: 137
Socialists: 47
Independents: 41 (+41)
Democrats were now thirty seats short of a majority, and so partnered with the Socialists for a majority of 17.

[West_Midlander]

Keller & the Canadian Referendum
Socialist Hellen Keller (pictured below) wrote in favor of Hearst and his People's Slate in August. She also sent a statement to the Washington Post expressing her approval of the Socialist-Independence-Labor Party merger. Keller and Hearst wrote statements in favor of the Canadian referendum approving the ACAA. These flyers were sent to the CCC and forwarded to the newly formed political parties for distribution to voters.

Socialist candidate and lawyer Morris Hillquit (pictured) announced his campaign for United States House against a conservative Democratic* incumbent in New York. No one had filed to run against the incumbent thought he quickly garnered the nominations of the state Socialist and Socialist Labor parties, as well as Independence.

*The Democratic incumbent is among the Independents who left the party in August, though he had previously secured the Democratic nomination for his seat.

Canadian Referendum on ACAA, 1910
September 9th
Do you agree to the terms of the ACAA?
Yes: 70.5% (905,461)
No: 29.5% (378,285)

[West_Midlander]

The Midterms
In October, a Democratic congressman from New Jersey resigned over "differences with Hearst." While this was true, he was pressured out by the New Jersey state party.
 A primary election for the seat was suspended due to the late nature of the race. The state party chair appointed Woodrow Wilson to fill the slot.

New Jersey
Gubernatorial
Ella Reeve Bloor 56.1%
Vivian M. Lewis 42.5%
With turnout high and the Socialist, Prohibitionists, and Socialist Labor voters at her stead, Bloor won the gubernatorial race by a wide margin. Bloor is the first woman elected to any American governorship. Wilson was elected unopposed to the US House.

California
Gubernatorial
Jack London 33.1%
Hiram Johnson 32.8%
Theodore Arlington Bell 32.6%
Simeon P. Meads 1.4%
London won an extremely close race. London's Socialist supporters, paired with about half of the state's Hearst Democrats from 1908, put him over the top. Jackson Stitt Wilson ran a stunning race.
 The socialist candidate received 48%, to the re-elected Attorney General's (Democratic) 51%.

[West_Midlander]

The Midterms II
New York
Gubernatorial
Eugene V. Debs 49.3%
Henry L. Stimson 47.1%
T. Alexander MacNicholl 2%
Lieutenant Gubernatorial
Daniel De Leon 48.2%
Edward Schoeneck 47.3%
Calvin McCarthy 4.1%
Secretary of State
Maximilian Cohen 50%
Samuel S. Koenig 46.5%
N. Horace Gillette 2.9%
Attorney General
Ben Hanford 50.3%
Edward R. O'Malley 49.5%
Francis E. Baldwin 0.1%
Treasurer
Isaac Hourwich 50.7%
Thomas F. Fennell 47.2%
Charles J. Call 1.3%
As in California and New Jersey, turnout was high. The rest of the Democratic ticket was elected in New York, though Socialist, Socialist Labor and Independence nominees contested those offices.

[West_Midlander]

The Midterms III
The US Senate (elected 1910)
Democrats: 36 (+2)
Republicans: 33 (+3)
Socialists: 13 (+1)
Independents: 10 (-4)
The Senate expands to 92 seats. The Independents lost 4 seats, as all other groups made gains. The Republicans made the most gains. The Democrats and Socialists continued their coalition, with a total of 49 seats out of 46 needed for a majority.
The US House (elected 1910)
Democrats: 159 (-7)
Republicans: 146 (+9)
Socialists: 53 (+6)
Independents: 36 (-5)
The Independents lost five seats. The Democrats fell short in 7 incumbent seats. Wilson was elected as a Democrat. 5 conservative Democrats, 1 moderate and 1 Hearst Democrat were to go home once January came. The Socialists surged in support and managed to hold onto their 47 and carried 6 more. The Republicans made the most gains, gaining 9 seats. Democrats and Socialists continued their coalition. The Socialist leader would serve as Deputy Speaker come January and the Democratic-Socialist alliance will give Hearst a majority of 14 in the chamber.

[West_Midlander]

Post-Election
On November 10th, the Independents met in Washington, D.C. They agreed that their losses were due to a lack of a partisan label. They branded themselves the "Opposition Democrats." Several more members of Congress defected to the opposition Democrats, Representative-elect, Woodrow Wilson, included. Wilson would later be elected minority leader in the House of Representatives of the Opposition Democrats (in February 1911).
The US Senate
Democrats: 33 (-3)
Republicans: 33
Socialist-Independence-Labor: 13
Opposition Democrats: 13 (+3)
Hearst's control of the Senate shrunk to 46. With all remaining Democrats and SIL on board, they could pass a bill only with the Vice President.
The US House
Democrats: 149 (-10)
Republicans: 146
Socialist-Independence-Labor: 53
Opposition Democrats: 46 (+10)

Note: This post is as of Nov. 10th. Socialist becomes SIL in Congress as of Dec. 1, 1910, though I listed them as SIL as a point of reference of SIL listed as such with the Congressional numbers.

[West_Midlander]

The 18th Amendment
Since the 25th amendment occurred earlier than in OTL, the number of passed amendments to the Constitution stood at 17, after the federal income tax. In November, the Hearst government began writing a bill for the direct election of Senators, along with SIL and Democratic representatives and Senators. By early February, the bill had been written, introduced and passed committee. The bill was then up for a vote in each chamber of Congress. The bill needed two-thirds to pass and then state ratification by three-fourths.

The Senate
The Democrats, with leadership in favor, voted 32-1 in favor.
SIL, with leadership in favor, voted 13-0 in favor.
The Opposition Democrats voted 10-3 against, with the official line being against.
The Republicans voted 17-16 in favor, with leadership stating no position (voting no).

With 62 needed, the bill passed 65-27.

The House of Representatives
The Democrats, with the Speaker of the House in favor, voted 125-24 in favor.
SIL, with the Deputy Speaker in favor, voted 48-2 in favor, with 3 abstentions.
With the Republican leader declaring his support, but telling members to vote as they will, they voted 83-63 in favor.
The opposition Democrats voted 39-7 against.

With 263 needed, the bill passed with exactly 263-128 in favor, with 3 abstentions.

The Opposition Democrats had not yet expanded their incumbent membership outside of the Congress but would now be in a race against state legislatures to convince Democratic members to vote down "Hearst's amendment" to prevent ratification.

[West_Midlander]

Ratification Begins & The 19th Amendment
February 28th: Governor London of California was the first to ratify the amendment as California's legislature voted up the Democratic bill.
March 2nd: Governor Debs signs the ratification bill, as New York becomes the second state to recognize the 18th amendment.
March 5th: Governor Bloor signs ratification as New Jersey joins the list, the third Hearst Democratic dominated state.
March 13th: Massachusetts ratifies the amendment as progressive Republicans (majority) in the state legislature, push the bill through.

18th Amendment Ratified

On March 20th, Hearst, Governor Bloor, and Democratic and SIL leadership met at the White House to begin writing a nineteenth amendment. The amendment would allow female suffrage.

On April 27th, the bill was agreed on by present parties at the White House.

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Representative Morris Hillquit (S-NY) introduced the bill to the United States House. With the endorsement of SIL and Democratic leadership, as well as President Hearst, Governor Bloor and other politicians, the bill passed committee on April 30th.

[West_Midlander]

The Amendments
The 19th Amendment came to a vote in the US House, as the Republican minority leader declared his support for the bill.

US House
The Democrats voted 123-20 in favor, with 6 abstentions.
The Republicans voted 95-48 in favor, with 3 abstentions.
SIL voted 50-2 in favor, with 1 abstention.
The Opposition Democrats voted 46-0 against.

With 263 needed, 268 voted in favor, 118 against, and 10 abstained.

US Senate
The Democrats voted 30-3 in favor.
The Republican leader declared his loud opposition to the bill, and encouraged members to vote against it. The Republicans voted against the amendment 20-13.
SIL voted 13-0 in favor.
The Opposition Democrats voted 12-0 against, with one abstained.

The amendment recieved 56 in favor, 35 against and 1 abstention. The amendment needed 62.

Theodore Roosevelt, the former President, made a plea to Senators to vote again on the amendment. He spoke strongly in favor of the 19th amendment in a fiery speech on Capitol Hill.

The Democrats voted 32-1 in favor.
The Republicans voted 17-16 in favor.
SIL voted 13-0 in favor.
The Opposition Democrats voted 12-1 against.

The bill recieved 63 out of 62 needed votes. 29 voted against the amendment.

[West_Midlander]

The Supreme Court
Hearst nominated lawyer Louis Brandeis, to the satisfaction of the moderate and conservative Democrats. Brandeis filled the vacancy left by Justice David Josiah Brewer, the Republican appointed justice, who died in 1910. Brandeis was confirmed 79-0 by the Senate will all SIL Senators abstaining.

Hearst also nominated John Hessin Clarke. Clarke was nominated to fill Chief Justice Melville Fuller's position on the court. Clarke was approved 92-0.

[West_Midlander]

The Clarke Court (1911-)
40. Justice Marshall Harlan
45. Justice George Shiras Jr.
46. Justice Edward Douglass White
48. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
49. Justice Horace Harmon Lurton
50. Justice James Clark McReynolds
51. Justice George Gray
52. Justice David Louis Brandeis
53. Chief Justice John Hessin Clarke

[West_Midlander]

Ratification Continues
On June 10th, the Utah and Nevada Democratic state legislatures passed the 18th amendment. On June 12th, New Jersey ratified the 19th amendment with Governor Ella Reeve Bloor signing the bill. New Jersey was the first state to ratify the nineteenth. On June 13th, despite Governor Debs supporting the nineteenth, the Democratic chamber rejected the amendment (House and Senate voted against). Opposition Democrats had turned the New York legislature. On July 5th, Pennsylvania and North Carolina passed the 18th. Each amendment needed 35 state ratifications to enter the Constitution. In California, the Democratic Speaker tabled the bill to ratify the nineteenth. The Republican legislature in Wyoming, the first state to allow female suffrage continuously (since 1867), ratified the nineteenth.
18th Amendment

Passed (8/35 needed)
19th Amendment

Passed (2/35 needed)
Tabled (yellow on map)
Failed
Gray on both maps denotes no legislative action on the amendment.

[West_Midlander]

Canadian Politics
The following parties registered to contest the September elections:

Conservative (center-right to right-wing)
The Conservatives continued with a platform of Conservatism, Protectionism, Toryism, and pro-British Imperialism. The Conservative partisans overwhelmingly chose the popular Robert Borden to lead them but party members rejected his motion to remove British Imperialism from the platform in favor of self-determination. The Liberal-Conservative party dissolved, merging with Conservative, under pressure from their sister party to consolidate right-wing power.

Liberal (center to center-left)
Prime Minister Laurier was narrowly chosen to lead the party through the election. He defeated his own Foreign Minister in a contest with 51-49% of the vote. Liberal continued with an economically liberal platform. Liberal incumbents decided to appeal to voters by touting a center social policy.
 Laurier vetoed any motion in the party to advocate self-determination or referendum. The party remained pro-British.

Labour (left-wing)
Labour reformed their party, holding an official convention in July. Labour touted a socialist platform but made plays at the electorate to their left and right (left-center and far-left). Labour gained the endorsement of the CCC. Labour urged The Socialist Party of Canada to dissolve, which they did. Following this, the Labour Party added Impossibilism, Classical Marxism and Libertarian Socialism to the platform (all tenant of the Socialist Party).

British (big tent, pro-British unification)
The British Party was formed in 1911, with major funding from the United Kingdom. The party's platform only outlined British unification through referendum, province-by-province. The party welcomed all "British patriots" of all political affiliations. The party began a major ground campaign,
 with many flyers and pamphlets, mostly hitting the eastern provinces.

Canada's Party (big tent, pro-Independence)
Canada's Party formed as a grassroots big tent party with the sole goal of Canadian Independence.

North American Unity (big tent, American-unification)
North American Unity formed as a big tent party with the goal of American unification. The group was massively funded by the CCC, who endorsed them.

Regional Coalition (center-right, provincial Independence)
Initially intending on forming a Quebec independence party, with a centrist, big tent platform, the Regional Party eventually was born. The grassroots party, mostly supported by Quebec nationalists,
 pushed for a right-wing platform and ended with a center-right party, in order to keep the party open. The name Regional was taken up, touting provincial independence for all of Canada. The party would fight mainly in Quebec but would align with provincial nationalists, especially in Western Canada. The CCC endorsed Regional Coalition and Canada's Party but didn't contribute many organizers or funds, with the real goal being with North American Unity and Labour.

With the Canadian PM's approval likely crashing when war broke out, and the British King's and especially British PM's approval falling even further in Canada, it would be difficult for the British Party to make waves. The British Party was very well funded by London (government and private contributors), but could Liberal and Conservative hold on? (Though the ceasefire and peace would probably give small boosts to the involved parties, Liberal and now, Canada's, as well as the British government, effectively spreading the small bump to the British Party too). With most parties being new, it would be a long and difficult campaign for all running parties. Canada's Party was led by the leader of the Free Canadian Militia (not active, but not dissolved). The British party was led by an industrialist from Prince Edward Island. The Regional Coalition and North American Unity were led by grassroots organizers. Labour was led by former Foreign Minister Charles Murphy (pictured).

[West_Midlander]

Ratification Continues II
On August 1st, the Democratic legislatures of Minnesota and Oregon passed the 18th amendment, as the Republicans of Kansas ratified the amendment. On August 5th, the Democratic legislature in Wisconsin passed the 19th amendment. On August 17th, the Democrats in Illinois (anti-Hearst) tabled the 19th amendment, the Republicans in Indiana confirmed the amendment. On August 29th, Republicans in Michigan ratified the 18th. They were quickly followed by the Iowan legislature (Republican-controlled), which ratified it on the 30th. Also on the 30th, the Michigan legislature ratified the 19th amendment.
18th Amendment

Passed (13/35 needed)
19th Amendment

Passed (5/35 needed)
Tabled
Failed

[West_Midlander]

Canadian Federal Election, 1911
Conservative - 51 MPs 50 MPs
The Conservatives suffered large losses. The Conservative Alliance (Conservative + Liberal-Conservative) had 85 seats in 1908. They had been cut down by 34 to just 51 seats. Borden blamed the loss on party members who prevented him from adding referendum or even self-determination on the platform. Prominent Conservatives fired back by blaming Borden for the huge losses. Borden resigned the leadership and registered Independent, saying he would serve as such.

Liberal - 47 MPs
Laurier's loss was even more stunning than Borden's. The Liberals were cut down from 133 to 47, a net loss of 86 seats. Laurier even lost his own seat.

North American Unity - 45 MPs
North American Unity finished third. With seven parties running, they had not secured the whole pro-America base, but they had done very well, taking 45 seats.

Regional Coalition - 24 MPs
24 seats was not bad. Regional had won a third of seats in Quebec. A sizeable share, considering this was the party's first election. Regional also picked up three seats throughout Western Canada, small gains there, but it added to the total.

British Party - 21 MPs
The British Party surged in The Maritimes and gained a few seats in the populous provinces of Quebec and Ontario. The Anglo-Canadians of western Canada rejected the party. For a grassroots party the result was fine, more than twenty, and besting Canada's (but the party was not grassroots). The lack of support despite the vast sums of money dumped into the party was troubling for the UK.

Canada's Party - 17 MPs
The party did OK. They certainly could've done better. Canada's Party had taken about eight percent of the national seats. The question had not been polled in a long time but either their supporters defected to other parties, about one third of them, or their support had fallen significantly. It was pretty good for a first national result, but with even Regional outperforming them, it was somewhat of a shame. Canada's had picked up a few seats in east Canada, carried most of their wins in Ontario and Quebec, but fell off the map in the west. They fell short of 20 seats.

Labour - 16 MPs
Labour had done well, despite third party status, and holding such a leftist platform. The party had increased from its one MP in 1908, even after incorporating the more leftward platform of the unelected Socialist Party (received no seats in 1908). Most of the success was due to the CCC's influence and the Americans' socialist influence into Canada during Hearst's tenure.

Independent - 1 MP
Former Conservative leader, Robert Borden.

Under more conservative leadership, the Conservatives decide they only have one option in a coalition government. A grand coalition, Conservative and Liberal, but still fourteen seats short. Under the assumption that a minority government, led by Conservative-Liberal would play out, Borden offered to join the coalition, the Conservative leadership rejected him. The Conservatives added the British Party to the coalition, promising to work out the terms of referendums on British annexation for provinces, later.

[West_Midlander]

Ratification Continues III
On September 18th, Montana passed the eighteenth amendment. On September 19th, a fellow Republican legislature in Idaho, passed the 18th. Former President Roosevelt went to Albany and convinced members of the New York legislature to vote in favor of the nineteenth amendment. The amendment was ratified on September 30th. Governor London of California pressured the Speaker of the California State Assembly to bring the nineteenth to a vote. The Democrats promptly killed the bill. On August 5th, West Virginia and Colorado Democrats ratified the eighteenth. On August 10th, Nevada Democrats ratified the 18th. On August 16th, Texas Democrats voted down the nineteenth.
18th Amendment

Passed (17/35 needed)
19th Amendment

Passed (6/35 needed)
Tabled
Failed

[West_Midlander]

Ratification Efforts Get A Boost
In the beginning of September, Hearst thought it was time to push for ratification. It was going at a good pace, but perhaps not quick enough, especially for the 18th amendment. Hearst wasn't sure if he would pursue a third term, so he wanted to get one or both amendments passed before he left office. This was also because, if the 18th was passed before his term ended, he could use his influence to push more people's slate candidates. Left Democrats could oust unpopular incumbents under a system of directly elected Senators. He would try to challenge as many of the Independent, former Democrats, as possible. It would be especially helpful to the cause, to challenge those that voted against the 18th, if it became part of the Constitution. They could be attacked as wanting to hurt the democratic cause, the party's and actual democracy, if his amendment became the law of the land.

On September 5th, Texas ratified the 18th after heavy opposition from anti-Hearst Democrats. President Hearst went on the radio to speak in favor of ratification of each amendment, on the 7th and 10th, respectively. Wyoming and Washington (both Republican legislatures) ratified the 18th on September 20th, uniting the West in approval of the amendment. On September 22nd, Iowa Republicans pushed through the 19th amendment.

First Mother and suffragist Phoebe Hearst announced that she would be campaigning across the country for the ratification of the 19th amendment on September 25th. She said she would leave Washington, D.C. on September 27th. Secretary Kate Richards O'Hare announced the morning of the 27th, that she would be leaving Washington, D.C. for a while to join Phoebe Hearst on the trail. The two women would campaign together and lobby legislators in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia before O'Hare would return to Washington, about a week later. As Phoebe Hearst headed north, socialist activist Hellen Keller announced she would join her on the trail, across New England.
18th Amendment

Passed (20/35 needed)
19th Amendment

Passed (7/35 needed)
Tabled
Failed

[West_Midlander]

Ratification Surrogates On The Trail
Throughout October, First Mother Phoebe Hearst stumped across Virginia, Maryland and Delaware pleading with legislatures to bring the 19th amendment to a vote and to vote in favor. She made brief statements in favor of the 18th amendment. Hearst was joined by Secretary O'Hare in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. Hearst was joined by Helen Keller as the two stumped across New England for the amendments. Theodore Roosevelt spoke in New York City, followed by Republican leaders, calling on Republican state legislatures to pass the amendments. He finished his speech, "For democracy, vote for votes for women, and votes for Senators!"

In late November, the Hearst primary states of Vermont, New Hampshire and Rhode Island passed the 18th amendment. The Democratic Vermont legislature and Republican Rhode Island legislature passed the amendment solidly while Opposition Democrats nearly halted the amendment in New Hampshire. In December, Maryland and Virginia Democrats narrowly passed the 18th. Delaware passed the 18th and the 19th. Before the winter recess, New Hampshire Democrats voted down the 19th, under the influence of Opposition Democrats on this issue. Southern Democrats in Virginia voted against the measure as well. Rhode Island, Vermont and Maryland passed the amendment.
Passed in 26/35

Passed in 11/35

[West_Midlander]

Before the Winter Recess
Massachusetts passed the 19th amendment by their Republican legislature. The Democrats of Maine passed the 18th amendment and Connecticut did the same. Ohio passed the 19th amendment. Vice President John Kern went on the radio and convinced Indiana Democrats to pass both amendments. Governor Stedman of Illinois pushed through the 18th amendment. In the two weeks before the winter recess and in the early weeks of January, Vice President Kern traveled the country with Phoebe Hearst to campaign for the amendments. Rumblings had begun for the admission of Arizona and New Mexico, and that would move the goalpost for the amendments to pass.

The Republicans in North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Missouri passed the 18th amendment. The 18th amendment easily passed in South Dakota, Nebraska and Wisconsin after Kern and Hearst visited.
 This is due to the lack of Democratic party bosses in the smaller states. With 37 states having ratified the amendment, the 18th amendment passed into law and into the Constitution. Senators would be directly elected from now onwards. Hearst could now begin expanding his People's Slate.
 He could challenge those Senators who broke off to the Opposition Democrats. He could challenge those that opposed the 18th amendment from the beginning. Hearst decided to act now, despite the primaries beginning. He also expected more resistance to the 19th amendment but with Roosevelt on board, thought that regardless of how 1912 turned out, the amendment could pass into law in time.

I will not be following up with states that ratify the 18th after this, though some states may. Note that the solid Democratic South stood in solid opposition.

13 States have passed the 19th amendment out of 35 needed. Ratification was generally neglected in late December with the focus being on getting the 18th through.

[West_Midlander]

1912 Begins
On January 1st, 1912, President Hearst announced his People's Slate candidates. They were many and spread across the nation. On January 5th, 1912, Congressman Champ Clark of Missouri (never rose to the Speakership due to Hearst's influence), declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination. He was the heavy Wall Street favorite and attacked the President's policies and 'Hearstism' as he called on William Randolph Hearst to step down and not seek another term.

On January 11th, Former President Theodore Roosevelt announced his candidacy for the Presidency.
 On January 12th, William Howard Taft and Robert La Follette announced, in separate cities, that they were pursuing the Republican nomination. Roosevelt and Taft met for a live gentleman's debate on January 25th in Philadelphia (on a stage in public). La Follette turned down the offer to debate instead opting to stump across the country and meet voters.

On February 1st, President Hearst announced he would run for another term. His approvals were still decent and he viewed that his work was not done. Vice President Kern had barely remained in his corner,
 under consistent persuasion by Hearst. The only viable successor was Debs, who Hearst thought would be swiftly rejected by Democrats. A few days later, Woodrow Wilson announced his campaign for the nomination. Wilson would be a difficult man to defeat, he was now a congressman and led the Opposition Democrats in the House. Wilson, though, stood without Wall Street's support now that Champ Clark had entered the race. Several days later, House Majority Whip Oscar Underwood announced his endorsement of President Hearst. Governor Simeon Eben Baldwin, Governor Thomas Marshall, and Governor Judson Harmon put their support behind the President. Calling him, "the best chance in November" and striking at both challengers as inexperienced as just Representatives,
 especially freshman congressman, Woodrow Wilson.

[West_Midlander]

The Primaries
Hearst managed to hold non-urban Democratic leaders in his camp and he held the confidence of many Democratic voters. Wilson began the campaign as the frontrunner, and Clark behind him, with the President trailing badly. Though consistent attack jobs on Clark and Wilson by Hearst-friendly newspapers would make the race competitive.

Taft would prove to be a worthy challenger to Former President Roosevelt. The height difference impacted many voters, following their in person debate. Taft referred to the President as old news,
 and warned voters not to nominate him because he would just lose again. Roosevelt went from absolute frontrunner to being on an equal footing with Taft.

[West_Midlander]

Ratification During The Primary
While Taft remained ambivalent on the issue, Roosevelt embraced the 19th amendment. The following action was taken on the 19th amendment from January into July of 1912. Republicans voted with Hearst Democrats in Illinois and New Hampshire, passing the amendment. In March, Taft embraced the amendment, bringing most all Republicans into the fold. Late to the party, La Follette expressed the same sentiments. The Republican legislatures in Connecticut and Missouri passed the amendment. Kansas, North Dakota, and Oklahoma,
 all Republican legislatures, passed the amendment. Montana, Idaho and Washington passed the amendment. Again, all three Republican legislatures. The Democrats in Pennsylvania and Maine passed the amendment after Wilson endorsed the position. Wilson embraced female suffrage after suffering poll numbers against Hearst. Wilson rebounded, and led the field as of late April. Clark tried to save face, saying the states should decide. North Carolina passed the amendment in May. Florida and Alabama rejected the amendment in the same month. Minnesota and Oregon passed the amendment in June. South Dakota passed the amendment in July and Nebraska ratified the 19th amendment on the opening day of the Democratic National Convention.

The Amendment has passed 30/36 states needed. The threshold increased by 1, with the admission of Arizona and New Mexico earlier in the year. AZ and NM were admitted early enough to participate in the primaries.