Bryan defeats McKinley, 1896!

[TommyC1776]

This idea could lead the democrats into becoming something like a European style Christian Democratic party with elements of paleoconservatism and (pro-worker) catholic-style corporatism.(actual catholic corporatism wouldn't play too well in strongly protestant America).

Yeah.  thanks for the idea and advice.

[TommyC1776]

The new Senate and House convenes on March 4th, 1903.

President Lincoln asks Congress to get a bill passed that would give Civil War vets a good chunk of money for retirement.

Speaker Jesse R Grant (R) brings up the bill and calls it the Civil War Veterans Act of 1903.  The military would pay veterans for retirement.  Most of the members of Congress agree that they should get a chunk of money since they served.

On March 31, the House passes it 250-136.  It stalls in the Senate for awhile.  Senate Minority Leader Teddy Roosevelt says "We must pass this legislation.  We owe this to our veterans.  They gave their lives for this country and they deserve this kind of opportunity.  Lets just get this passed and let the veterans have their money please."

Senate Leader Adlai Stevenson schedules a vote on this bill on April 14th.

Once the bill is voted on in the Senate they pass it 56-34.  The next day the President signs it into law.

On May 1st Alton B Parker announces he will be considering a run for the Democratic nod.

[Albus Dumbledore]

This idea could lead the democrats into becoming something like a European style Christian Democratic party with elements of paleoconservatism and (pro-worker) catholic-style corporatism.(actual catholic corporatism wouldn't play too well in strongly protestant America).

Yeah.  thanks for the idea and advice.

No problem. Things like this are one of my interests but I lack the attention span to make a TL.

[TommyC1776]

As summer begins Congress has a recess until September.  During this time President Lincoln looks at possible runningmates for his re-election the next fall.

His considerations are: Senator Teddy Roosevelt, Speaker of the House Jesse Grant or Charles Fairbanks.

As August 1903 begins Senator Adlai Stevenson considers putting his hat into the ring for the 1904 Democratic nomination.

Fmr. President Bryan says he's not running for President since he's running for the Senate.

Meanwhile, a few states, at this point, are giving woman the right to vote.  This catches President Lincoln's eye and he makes a speech about it:

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Congress considers bringing it up for a vote in November.

As the day comes: the House votes 205-180.  The Senate votes against it 45-44.  It doesn't get passed.  More to come.........................................go on...........

[TommyC1776]

Construction on the Panama Canal is almost completed with a few months work needed.

Congress goes on recess from December to January.

President Lincoln continues to go across the country as it is an election year.  He gets ready to take on any Democrat.  His slogan: "Continue this way forward."

possible Democratic opponents:
Senator Adlai Stevenson
Senator Alton Parker
Congressman William R. Hearst
former President Grover Cleveland.

Lincoln knows he can beat all of these Democrats so, to him, it doesnt matter which one he runs against.

Conventions will be coming soon.

[TommyC1776]

President Lincoln proposes a Civil Rights Act.

Speaker Grant calls for the Civil Rights Act of 1904.  The House debates it and ends up voting overwhemingly for it with some Northern Dem support.  It passes 260-126.

The Senate takes it up and they barely vote for it 47-43.  Then President Lincoln signs it into law.  What this law says is that blacks can't be discriminated against as far as employment.

Some of the Southern Democrats were astonished that such a bill would pass in the Democratic controlled Senate.  Southern Dems were really mad and wanted a revote.  Senate Leader Adlai Stevenson said "we may but not at this time."


Conventions:

Republican:June 21-23, 1904

President Lincoln is nominated unanimously on the first ballot.  He selects Senate Minority Leader Teddy Roosevelt as his running mate.

Lincoln went to the convention to accept the nomination.  He says "We will win this election.  Roosevelt and I will do great things. Look what we have accomplished so far.  We've passed a Civil Rights Act, we've given money to veterans.  We've just done alot.  Now this November go with Lincoln/Roosevet."

Democratic: July 6-9, 1904

1st ballot:
Grover Cleveland, 559
Alton B. Parker, 401
Adlai Stevenson, 23
William R Hearst, 17

William Hearst drops out and endorses Stevenson.

2nd ballot:
Grover Cleveland, 540
Alton Parker, 370
Adlai Stevenson, 90

Stevenson drops out and endorses Cleveland.

3rd ballot:
Grover Cleveland, 621
Alton B Parker, 379

4th ballot:
Grover Cleveland, 670
Alton B. Parker, 330.

Grover Cleveland is nominated on the 4th ballot.

Cleveland's message to delegates "We will win back the White House.  I know how to do it.  I've won it twice."

Cleveland decides to select Senator Ben Tillman of SC as his running mate.

Now it's Lincoln/Roosevelt vs. Cleveland/Tillman.  Eugene Debs also runs as does Silas Swallow.

[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:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

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:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

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.

[Hash]

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

[Robespierre's Jaw]

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.

[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:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

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)

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[CPT MikeyMike]

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

Cheers!!!

[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:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

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:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

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:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

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.