The Rise of Progressivism

[Cathcon1]

Questions, Comments?

[Cathcon1]

I'll try to put up the first few posts of the Robinson Administration sometime this week or weekend.

[Cathcon1]

Chapter Five
Scrappy Joe

The Robinson Administration

Secretary of State

Woodrow Wilson

In order to ensure continued peace and to form a group of truly united nations, this country needs a steady hand in our foreign policy. That is why I am choosing Governor Woodrow Wilson for Secretary of State. On the 1920 campaign trail, Wilson was with me since the beginning in my championing the rights of workers and farmers and now he is on board!

-President Joseph Robinson announcing his choice for Secretary of State

Secretary of the Treasury

Alexander M Palmer

A man of high ideals is hard to find in today's politics! However, one has been found in Alexander Palmer, a man whose political life has been dedicated to the protection of the poorest and lowest in our society and to the assistance of the farmer and the worker!

-President Joseph Robinson

We all know that the only reason Scrappy Joe made Palmer Treasury Secretary for political purposes! It was in part because he wanted to strengthen the party in Pennsylvania, and also because Palmer had been instrumental in holding Pennsylvania's delegation for Robinson as Wilson had been for New Jersey after his man Baker had dropped out! There were many, many, other people just as qualified such as Congressman McAdoo or my own father-in-law Fitz!

-Almost President; Interviews with Joseph P Kennedy, 1964

Secretary of War

Newton D Baker

Newton Baker had been a friend of mine as well as a political ally in my 1916 campaign for the nomination. As both a mayor and a Congressman he had worked towards establishing the League of Nations, which at that point had failed, and had shown great competence. I had pushed him to run for the 1920 nomination, however, after dismal results on the first ballot he dropped out.

-A Greater Vision-the unfinished memoirs of Woodrow Wilson

Attorney General

John B Payne

Payne is another example of the political appointments made by Robinson. Payne had done law work in Chicago and had eventually been elected Mayor. His selection was not only a reward for helping to deliver Chicago at the convention and in the general election, but also in order to show the "toughness" of the new Robinson administration by putting a tough big city mayor heading the Justice Department. Looking back on those days, it's remarkable that the Democratic Party took such a nasty turn despite all of the political strengthening that Robinson attempted with his cabinet appointments, whether it was with Southerners, the big cities, or even with Irish Catholics.

-Almost President; Interviews with Joseph P Kennedy, 1964

[Cathcon1]

There'll be more, but this is what I have so far. And yes, I did copy a lot from the Wilson administration.

[historybuff]

So far, Wilson's the only cabinet member I recognize.

[Cathcon1]

Originally Posted by historybuff

So far, Wilson's the only cabinet member I recognize.

All the other guys were at one point in the RL Wilson cabinet, though I switched around Palmer and Payne. Baker was Secretary of War between 1916 and 1921 (I think), Palmer was AG 1919-1921, and Payne I think was Treasury Secretary 1920-1921. I really wasn't sure who or what to put into the cabinet, so ideas are welcome.

[Cathcon1]

The Robinson Administration Part two

Postmaster General

James D Farley

Ah, yes. James Farley. One of the few members of Scrappy Joe's cabinet I recall liking, if not for obvious reasons. His appointment was a combination of a compromise with Vice-President Smith, as well as an attempt to strengthen President Smith in the North-East. Today, Farley, like myself, Al Smith and Fitz is regarded as one of our nation's most successful early Irish Catholic politicians.

-Almost President; Interviews with Joseph P Kennedy, 1964

Secretary of the Navy

Joseph P Kennedy

On the fateful day in January when I was called by my father-in-law, who had been called by Vice-President Smith that he wanted me to serve as Secretary of the Navy, I was stunned. I had a tough time during confirmation hearings, especially with xenophobic and anti-Catholic Republicans, as well as Southern Democrats. Despite it being a largely political position back then, the apparent reason I had been selected was my role in war-time Naval Production, having worked with members of the Naval Department and having bought in to steel and producation companies. I dare say I served quite well in my capactiy though I was often running into Wilson and Baker who were both staunch internationalists. Those were rough times that I had in Washington though I hope to brag that I've done well there.

-Almost President; Interviews with Joseph P Kennedy, 1964

This Paddy Kennedy can't be allowed to ruin everything!

-State Secretary-designate Woodrow Wilson to War Secretary-designate Newton Baker, 1921

Secretary of the Interior

Atlee Pomerene

A man who will help to further develop the Mid-West and keep the industrial areas in the East strong while working in conjunction with other members of the cabinet is Atlee Pomerene, my choice for Secretary of the Interior.

-President Joseph T Robinson, 1921

Secretary of Agriculture

Henry C Wallace

Henry Wallace I didn't know too well. All I knew was that no-one expected him to be picked as Agriculture Secretary. While he had no discernible political biases about him, rumor had it he had voted for TR in 1912. He had served as President of the Cornbelt Meat Producers Association and his father had also been an advocate for farmers and was an adviser to statesmen. I suppose this appointment was meant to reach out to Western farmers, a group that had been soaked up by the Progressive Party form the start. Of course, we all know how his son turned out...

-Almost President; Interviews with Joseph P Kennedy, 1964

Henry C Wallace, regardless of your political party, you have to admire for his constant championing of Progressive principles up until his death in 1924. I'll always hold a fond memory of Henry Wallace.

-A Greater Vision-the unfinished memoirs of Woodrow Wilson, 1928

Secretary of Commerce

Jesse H Jones

Jesse Jones is a man I can work with, regardless of party, in attempting to help America recover from this recession.

-Former Ambassador and entrepreneur Herbert Hoover, 1922

Secretary of Labor

Samuel Gompers

A true friend of the laborer and worker, and a man who has worked tirelessly as a leader of the American Federation of Labor to ensure that rights are met for all people!

-President Joseph T Robinson praising his choice for Labor Secretary, 1921

It seems that all the President says these days in regards to his cabinet choices are the words "Farmer" and "Worker".

-Massachusetts Governor Calvin Coolidge in a rare moment of actually talking to someone, 1921

Gompers is a horrible choice! I would know! All he'll do is use his position to continually bully businesses and to threaten the fragile economy! He'll be a disaster!

-Congressman John Nance Garner (D-TX) to his chief of staff, 1921

[historybuff]

Nice idea with Joseph Kennedy and Henry Wallace senior in the cabinet.

[Blackwater_NiK]

I had Johnson as one of my presidents once as well in an old TL. I hope you make good use of him.

[Cathcon1]

Originally Posted by historybuff

Nice idea with Joseph Kennedy and Henry Wallace senior in the cabinet.

I wanted to open the door for Henry A Wallace in the future, and the solution seemed to be having his father, as in RL, be Agriculture Secretary. Same with the Kennedys...

Originally Posted by Blackwater_NiK

I had Johnson as one of my presidents once as well in an old TL. I hope you make good use of him.

You mean Hiram Johnson? I'm not sure what'll happen to him. He may get the nomination in the future.

[Archangel]

Originally Posted by Cathcon1

The Robinson Administration Part two

Looks like Robinson will the one of the last (if the last) progressive POTUS from the Democratic Party.

Keep it up!

[achilles483]

I'm a big fan of this time line but I do have one question. I am curious about the choice of Wilson at Secretary of State. With the loss in 1912 he remained the governor of NJ, presumably without foreign affairs experience. Indeed in OTL he was quoted as saying, "it would be the irony of fate if my administration had to deal chiefly with foreign affairs." Did I miss a change to his foreign affairs experience somewhere?

[Cathcon1]

Originally Posted by achilles483

I'm a big fan of this time line but I do have one question. I am curious about the choice of Wilson at Secretary of State. With the loss in 1912 he remained the governor of NJ, presumably without foreign affairs experience. Indeed in OTL he was quoted as saying, "it would be the irony of fate if my administration had to deal chiefly with foreign affairs." Did I miss a change to his foreign affairs experience somewhere?

Not really. The major reasons he's picked are:

1. I fel that a major supporter of the League of Nations (US did not join) should help to lead foreign policy.
2. I have very little knowledge of this era of politics and he seemed like a good pick.
3. Lack of creativity.

[Cathcon1]

The First Term of
President Joseph T Robinson

I beseech you now to pass this, in the name of your constituents, the people of this great country! I urge you to pass this for the good of the country as a whole! For the farmers out West and the farmers down South. For the workers and laborers in the North-East and in Michigan and Ohio and Wisconsin! Pass it for the people who elected you and be aware that this recession needs to end for the sake of those people!

-President Joseph T Robinson introducing his domestic agenda to Congress, 1921

Wtih Democratic gains in Congress, President Robinson went to work right away passing a number of bills as part of his domestic agenda. Unlike President Theodore Roosevelt whose domestic agenda was more centered around regulation of businesses and re-distribution of wealth, President Robinson's plans were more centered around public works projects as well as improving infrastrucute. However, as history shows, both had over-lapping agendas.

The first of such bills was the Nation Infrastructure and Building Act of 1921, which in practice was meant to rebuild roads and extend roads further. Not only did President Robinson argue that it would help strengthen the American system of transportation, he also argued quite effectively that it would act as a good economic stimulus by providing workers with jobs. In order to get more Conservative Republicans and Democrats to sign on he also argued that with increased transportation, there would also be increased commerce which would be good for businesses. Part of the National Infrastructure and Building Act was also political. President Robinson sought to increase his popularity among both Western farmers, a demographic that would be effected by the bill, as well as with businesses. At the same time around 35% of all funding was funneled into his homeland of the South. There, the improvements would strengthen the South and make it not rely on government subsidies as much.

However, the economy did not show much improvement as when the act was put into action, there were building delays, spending increases, and the need for government funds to manage such a project of that scale. Conservatives in both the Democratic and Republican parties opposed the amount of money that would be needed to be spent and there were several clashes with Congress, most of them, at least for the time being, won by President Robinson.

In foreign affairs, Secretary of State Woodrow Wilson would continue the good international relations that President Roosevelt had fostered by traveling and meeting with world leaders. This would, in part, help to cool some bad relations after the bloody World War I. Wilson would also visit Mexico and visit with the President to see how things had gone since the Second Mexican-American War, which was a topic not often discussed. Wilson's primary goal in all of this was something he envisioned called "The League of Nations" which he himself had propsed to President Roosevelt after the Great War but had been dismissed because of American isolationist sentiments.

-The American President, Kathryn Moore

Coolidge: Well, something had to be done to stop Robinson.
Ford: I've done my best representing business interests. However, business interest aren't what is going to sway the public against Robinson.
Harding: In the Senate, Republicans are in a disarray. We've been unable to string together a coalition to at least halt his plans. The Republicans are practically dead and it seems pointless to bother operating inside their limits.
Ford: You know what? I think that Robinson is going to make some grave error that will cost him the Catholics. Without the Catholics, their North-East is gone.
Harding: With Smith on the ticket? Hah!
Ford: Seriously. I've talked with his Navy Secretary, Joe Kennedy. He's got some serious disagreements with the President and Smith isn't fully on board. That infrastructure bill isn't helping Robinson with Catholic Democrats either after hearing about the incredible amount going to just the South.
Coolidge: What can we do?
Harding: We need to form a coalition and reach across the aisle to Catholic Democrats.
Ford: Even Southern Democrats! Not all of them are Progressives like Robinson. Some are incredibly angry with things he's done.
Harding: We might not get the Southern Conservatives on our side with Civil Rights, however we can build some bridges.

Conservative legend has it that some very high-profile Conservatives, or maybe even some who weren't so Conservative, the possibility of former Commerce Secretary Henry Ford having been mentioned in this so-called "legend", met in some hotel room somewhere and that was when the Conservative Party began. Senator Warren G Harding of Ohio himself had expressed annoyance with the failure of the Republicans to repair themselves even on a Congressional level. What was left, he claimed to believe, was a bunch of Conservatives unwilling to do what was right for fear of another 1912, and a bunch of undecided moderates running the party with no clear direction. In his opinion, 1920 had been the ceiling for the Republicans in their current form and that the only way to become a winning party was to become clearly defined and decisive on issues.

-The End of an Era; The collapse of the two-party system, George Cabot Lodge

While I wasn't Robinson's ideological opposite in domestic matters, I still had my disagreements, preferring a much more moderate course. In 1921 I was just glad that prohibition hadn't come up by that point, though there was a strong urge to do so from Republicans, Progressives, and Democrats alike. However, my job was involved mostly in foreign policy and there still weren't major conflicts since the first Great War. Still, there was a sense of tension whenever the cabinet met, especially when the issue of the League of Nations was brought up.

-Almost President-Interviews with Joseph P Kennedy, 1964

[Cathcon1]

I added the 1916 and 1920 Republican Primaries to the previous posts. Some things on the maps, such as Henry Ford and Charles Evan Hughes being involved, are from lack of creativity so be lenient. The place where I'm getting the data from, this place ,didn't have the 1920 Democratic Primaries. I might put up the 1912 primary results in the first post just as a frame of reference.

[Cathcon1]

Bump. Hopefully an update will be forthcoming today.

[Cathcon1]

August 3rd, 1922: a conversation between Vice-President Al Smith, Postmaster General James Farley, and Navy Secretary Joe Kennedy...
Farley: Look, Al. They way things are going, I don't know if you're even going to be on the ticket come two years from now!
Smith: Jim, I'm doing what I can from my desk here as Vice-President! We're working as hard as we can to regain a voice in this Administration, and should we fail and I be dropped in 1924, it will free me up to openly criticize Robinson.
Kennedy: Al, we're being effectively cut out from most cabinet meetings. Relations that were cordial but tense in the beginning have turned openly hostile. I might be against intervention into other countries, but now is the time for war!
Smith: Whatever, happens, Robinson will spell political suicide if he doesn't listen to one end of his cabinet! We are the representatives of the northern Catholics in his adminsitration! If we denounce him, the party could ver well self-destruct.
Farley: Lord, I hope it never comes to that...

For all of Robinson's political maneuverings in the beginning of his Presidency, it seemed that in pursuing his own course in policy he was slowly destroying his own party. Every one of his cabinet appointments, aside maybe from a couple near the top, were meant to help ensure support from a demographic or region. However, his support among Irish Catholics, a staple of the Democratic Party aside from the South, was eroding. And soon, maybe not even in his own Presidency, it would spell doom for the Democrats.


Meanwhile, the Conservative Party was coming together, and assembly was being readied for 1924. Even in 1922, Conservative Republicans were reaching out to certain members of the Democratic Party. Senator James D Phelan, who narrowly survived re-election in 1920, was one. Another was Ohio Governor James Cox. A third Democrat, who would become very important for the Conservative Party's future, was Congressman John Nance Garner of Texas, known also by his nickname "Cactus Jack". He would be instrumental in helping to delivery pieces of the South in the future.

For the Republicans, despite their upwards trend since 1912, hopes were bleak as talk of a possible Conservative Party spread, and people such as Coolidge, Weeks, and Lodge became the people to go to despite traditional Republican leadership. One notable person who would gain activity in the Conservative Party, (which at that point was not formed; the Conservative Party would not become an actual party or declared an actual party until late 1923) was a young aviator named Charles Lindbergh. Others who would become active in the party were publisher Arthur H Vandenberg of Michigan and Ohio State Congressman and son of former President Taft, Robert Taft.

Today, the term the Roaring Twenties isn't common and it wasn't common then either as the economy continued to stagnate and commerce seemed to be stalled. However, politically, it was a very roaring twenties indeed.

-End of an Era; The Death of the Two Party System, George Cabot Lodge

When I first was elected Governor two years ago, I promside to solve the problem of the three C's! Corporations, Coons, and Carpetbaggers! I'd say that, two years later, I have!

-Oklahoma Governor William Murray campaigning for re-election, 1922

In 1922, William H Murray, also known as Alfalfa Bill, was nothing. Merely a popular one term Governor of Oklahoma campaigning for re-election. However, he had the Populist charisma that could make President Robinson's policies sound good even when they weren't perceived well by the general public. However, he faced one problem in regards to a national candidacy: racism. He channeled racism. While that might have sold him pieces of Dixie, that wasn't going to get the Western farmers voting for him, and that wasn't going to get any Irish-Catholics, Liberal or Conservative, rushing out to vote for him. However, in 1922, no-one thought about those questions, and no-one thought they would have to think about those questions. That was 1922.

-1964 interview with former Governor George Wallace (C-AL)

In 1922, with a lagging economy after two years of Democratic rule, Democrats were unpopular. President Robinson, who still was able to maintain some level of Popularity among certain groups, continually traveled across the country giving speeches for different candidates. Much noticed was how he nearly never set foot in places such as New York City and Boston-places where he didn't want to go and places where they didn't want him. Only Vice-President Al Smith would set foot there, and when he did, he didn't even mention the President in speeches, instead referring to the "Over-bearing Progressives" and the "damn near obsolete corrupt Republicans".
The 1922 elections took a large toll on President Robinson, politically and physically as that had been a much harder campaign than the 1920. He was severely disappointed when he found out the Democrats had lost both Houses of Congress and he found the Progressive Party resurgent.

-The American President, Kathryn Moore

[Cathcon1]

A bit too much foreshadowing, perhaps.

[Cathcon1]

I remember that horrible, bleak March day. I had been informed by my secretary that the President and the Vice-President would both be unavailable for the remainder of the day. It was some sort of Democratic Party function that would be taking place in Albany, the capital of New York.

-A Greater Vision; The unfinished memoirs of Woodrow Wilson

In those weeks before March 15th, Robinson's populartiy contintinued to fall as the economy seemed to be stalled in its place. Working with a Congress filled with Progressives, as well as various factions of Republicans and Democrats, no legislation would pass either House of Congress and the government itself seemed to be stalling in its tracks. Meanwhile, the Progressives were openly preparing to launch their "best man" against Robinson in the form of Senate Majority Leader Robert Lafollette, a man more Progressive than Roosevelt who could challenge the President on his own ground. Today historians debate over who could have done a better job as President. However, no-one is quite sure if any other man could have done a better job for the Presidency or the nation. The early 1920's were a tough time to be President.

-End of an Era; The collapse of the two-party system, George Cabot Lodge

President Robinson in his offce after an incredibly stressful cabinet meeting

I think that once American historians re-examine the Robinson Presidency, they will find that he wasn't as bad as has been given him by current history. He was a great man who tried to accomplish many great things. However, he was caught up in a bad economic time that I don't think any President could have done well in. I think that once we look back on what he tried to accomplish, we'll see a noble man who worked his hardest for the right things, but was caught up in the wrong time.

-Governor Nelson Rockefeller (P-NY) on American Presidents, 1959

On the morning of March fifteenth, 1923, no-one knew how the day would go down in history except for maybe one man. And he was at that point nobody. Just a man from Alabama with a gun on his way to blend with reporters and civilians at a meeting of Democratic leaders in Albany, New York. While the President didn't want to be there, he felt he had to be there in order to make amends within the party. Many in the press felt it would be the obvious announcement that yes, he did intend to run again in 1924. No-one really knows for sure because of the events that transpired.

Arriving in Albany with his Vice-President Alfred E Smith, President Joseph T Robinson boarded a presidential car and road to the Governor's building. Governor Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was at the time not present and he had allowed for its use. Many say that the reason for the choosing of that location to, in theory, announce a bid for re-election was to portray the President in a large city surrounded by government buildings. To make him look Presidential, but at the same time among the people.

President Robinson and Vice-President Smith in a rare moment of mutual happiness

President Robinson stepped up to the podium. Beside him and surrounding him were Vice-President Al Smith, Treasury Secretary Andrew Palmer, Nebraska Governor Charles W Bryan, and Postmaster General James Farley. It was an attempt to show a united front.
As Robinson cleared his throat, shots rang out, followed by "take that you Papist!". Instead of hitting their intended target, Vice-President Smith, stray shots hit President Robinson and he was fatally wounded. Smith suffered a leg wound. As he was rushed to a near-by hospital, the nation's 29th President died of blood loss.

-The American President, Kathryn Moore

When I first heard the news, I was stunned. I could not believe that a man as valiant as he would fall to the bullets of a desperate low-life who hadn't even intended to hit the President. After hearing the horrible news, I prayed to the Lord that the man to succeed him would be just as great a leader and just as great a man.

-A Greater Vision; The unfinished memoirs of Woodrow Wilson

I, Alfred Emmanuel Smith, do solemnly affirm that I will
faithfully execute the office of the President of the
United States and will to the best of my ability,
preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the
United States of America

-Alfred E Smith taking the Oath of Office after arriving at the hospital and being treated for the bullet wound in his leg and his arm

President Joseph T Robinson August 6th, 1872-March 15th, 1922

Alfred Emmanuel Smith
The 30th President of the United States of America
And the 1st Roman Catholic President

[Cathcon1]

Chapter Six
Empire Statesman

Introduction

Even before Alfred E Smtih took the Oath of Office, becoming the nation's thirtieth President, he had already had an accomplished career in public life, having been a one-term Governor of New York which at the time was the most populous state in the nation, as a member of New York's state assembly which included tenures as the Majority Leader, Minority Leader, and Speaker of the Assembly, Sheriff of New York County, and of course, Vice-President of the United States.

When he took office, the economy had been in a serious state of dis-repair since around 1919 or 1920 and President Robinson had done an incredibly poor job of initiating an economic recovery. It would be Smith's actions that would lay the groundwork for the soaring economy of the 1930's and 1940's despite a number policies to the contrary enacted after he left office.

-Empire Statesman; The Rise and Reign of Al Smith, Robert A Slayton

Until I win election in my own right, I will keep members of my predecessor's cabinet on board and shall not request any resignations from any member of the cabinet. As of now, it is my job to make sure the government stays running and that order is ensured in the aftermath of yesterday's terrible, terrible incident.

-President Alfred E Smith on March 16th, 1923, speaking to reporters

Now, even I, as a Democrat, can't abide the though of a Presidency by one of those Northern Papists! Our new President, so much unlike the great man we knew and embraced as our President, will take the exact opposite course of action! He will cut programs for the poor, he will champion the rights of the businesses, and he will take orders only from Rome where the Pope resides!

-Governor William H Murray (D-OK), March 18th, 1923

The death of President Robinson only helped to speed up the process of deterioration that the Democratic Party went through. The Presidency had taken a total one hundred and eighty degree turn in one day. On the morning of March 15th, 1923, the nation was ruled by President Joseph T Robinson or Arkansas. Despite being from the South, he had supported a large amount of Roosevelt's economic policies and as President had attempted to be an internationalist. By sunset on March 15th, 1923, the nation was governed by President Alfred E Smith of New York, its first Catholic President. Despite having been identified with a number of Progressives, Smith was much more economically Conservative than Robinson and was an isolationist. The infighting within the Democratic Party only increased ten-fold as different sides stepped up their fighting. Upon taking the Presidency, Smith had no idea if he would even be nominated by his party in 1924, let alone win election in his own right.

-End of an Era; The death of the two-party system, George Cabot Lodge

March 20th, 1923: In a conversation with his most trusted advisors, the President sits talking. The other three are Senator John "Fitz" Fitzgerald of Massachusetts who is a close Smith ally and was a candidate for the 1920 Democratic nomination. The other two are cabinet members: Navy Secretary Joe Kennedy and Postmaster General James Farley.
Joe: Listen, Al. You might be in office, but as of now you're sitting on top of a mountain racked by earthquakes. There are a million different factions out there. There are the Southern Populists in the mold of old Scrappy Joe. There are the Southern Conservatives. There are the Northern Liberals. There are the Northern Conservatives. There are the Mid-Western Populists. There are the Mid-Western Conservatives. We need to stake out one group as our own and build bridges to the others!
Fitz: We can easily control all Northern factions given our position now in Massachusetts and New York. I think we can bring in allies in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and Rhode Island is definite. However, as for the others, you have to situate yourself as the leader of the party. You're President.
Al: I know! You don't think I know that? You don't think I know there's a war in the Democratic party? I was on the losing side for over two years! I know we're as good as dead in the South. First off, we contact Democrats in Western areas and we keep them loyal to the Presidency. In terms of the election next year, we keep their delegates voting Smith, not whoever the South will doubtlessly nominate as their candidate.
Jim: Rumor has it that some random Populist down in Oklahoma will make a run. Governor Bill Murray is shouting up a storm from his Governor's mansion calling you a Papist.
Al: Really, what Southerner isn't these days?
Jim: I think you can be nominated in 1924. Assuming we pull this off. However, how're you going to get the needed votes in the general? In Dixie they'll only vote for you because you're a Democrat. You've got three guaranteed states up north. But what else? Progressives have nearly everything West of the Mississippi aside from four states: Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Al: We'll worry about that when the time comes. Right now we need alliances then we proceed forward.