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--- The Rowling Presidency (1889-1895) ---

CALDECOTT ELECTED FIRST SECRETARY

FRANKLIN - In a return to the early days of the Littlefield Presidency in 1877, when Littlefield, a Federalist, controlled Washington House, and Michael Follett, a fellow Federalist, controlled the House of Representatives, both Houses of Congress and the Presidency are once again in the hands of the Federalists. Days after President Rowling promised to return the federal government to a “healthy balance of activity and centralized strength lacking in recent years,” popular New York Representative Andrew Caldecott has been elected as the 18th First Secretary of the United States by his peers in the House.

Caldecott has served four terms in Congress, since 1880, and was an outspoken supporter of President Rowling on the campaign trail this past fall. When the new First Secretary meets travels to Washington House tomorrow to finalize his election by being appointed to the President’s cabinet, the meeting is sure to be in stark contrast to when President Drake welcomed First Secretary Thorn to the executive mansion two years ago, in what was described as one of the coolest and briefest receptions of its kind in modern political history.
“Caldecott Elected First Secretary,” Manhattan Gazette, March 12, 1889.

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The Presidency of Leeland Rowling has been referred to often as the “Second Littlefield Presidency,” though it is really a poor and underwhelming substitute when compared with the real thing. Littlefield never sat still, constantly touring the country and in general taking an active role in his position as the nation’s chief executive. Rowling, by contrast, stayed mostly in Franklin, and delegated many official duties to relevant cabinet members whenever possible. He believed the Presidency should be a dignified high office (his detractors both in his own party and in the opposition Liberals and Democratic-Nationalists often referred to Rowling’s administration as the “royal administration”). Granted, when compared to the apathy of his predecessor Theodore Drake, he seemed radically more active, this really wasn’t hard to do considering how low-key Drake’s administration had been.
Collins, Dr. Henry. The Rowling Years: 1889-1895. Manhattan: Island Republic Publishers, 1989.

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FIRST CAPITAL PARK SET TO OPEN

GEORGETOWN - Working with the state government, the Georgetown Preservation Society is set to open First Capital Park next week. Finishing touches are being finished at the small visitor’s center and museum, located on Crawford Street, north of the ruins of the old Capitol Building, which have now been cleared and made presentable for visitors. It is rumored that Vice President Young will be in attendance for the opening of the park, which houses the ground of the old meeting place of Congress and land north of there to Crawford Street. The Georgetown Preservation Society had attempted to purchase both the former capitol ruins and the old executive mansion that the Claymore family had used as their plantation house since 1819, but an investor from New York offered more money than the society could afford to purchase the former presidential residence, and has since turned it into the very popular Washington Hotel which opened earlier this year.

When visitors arrive next week, they can tour the museum at the entrance of the park, which boasts a model of Washington City in 1814 as the British destroyed the settlement, along with a second model of what had originally been planned. A large mural in the museum depicts the Capitol Building as it appeared prior to the War of 1812. There are also many artifacts from the surrounding area, including what is purportedly furniture from the original executive mansion. After visiting the museum, visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the park south towards the Capitol Ruins. The ruins themselves have been cleared of overgrowth with some basic paths and landscaping added to beautify the site. More landscaping is planned in the coming decade as funds are available.

And just what are these majestic ruins that the Preservation Society will soon open to the public? When the Burning of Washington took place in August of 1814, the planned capitol building was still a work in progress. The North Wing, later known as the Senate Wing, had been completed in time for the arrival of the government in 1800, and by 1811, the South Wing, home to the House of Representatives, had been completed. There was a temporary wooden structure linking the two wings, with plans to replace it with a large, central building that would serve as a grand entry and reception area, likely to be dominated by a large domed rotunda. The damage done in 1814 to the building was quite severe, with most of the interiors entirely consumed by the fire. Between 1814 and 1819, most of the rubble was cleared away, leaving only an exterior stone shell of the two separate wings. When the Claymore family bought the property in 1819, the family had the walls shored up and in some places metal or wooden beams were put in place to make sure the walls did not fall over. Hiram Claymore, the man who bought the land, reportedly planned on eventually converting the site into some sort of mansion or resort hotel, but this plan never came to fruition. By the 1850s, the site became overgrown and suffered more damage from the elements. Today, all that remains are The north and west walls of the Senate Wing, and the south, west, and eastern walls of the Representatives Wing, and both of those show their age and their time of neglect. Jonathan Blake, director of the Preservation Society, stated that he hopes to do more restoration work on the ruins as funds become available, though there are no specific restoration plans being drafted as of yet.
“First Capital Park Set to Open,” Baltimore Courier, April 11, 1889.

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While the Capitol Ruins became a publicly protected landmark in 1889, the President’s House had a longer road before it came under protection of the government or even private preservationists. Following the sale of the land to the Claymores in 1819, the ruins of the President’s House, at this point just the stone shell of what had been the home of Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, were converted into the plantation home of the Claymore’s estate, known as the Claymore Capital Plantation, and a big boon to the economy of Georgetown for years. Claymore essentially build his own house inside the original stone walls, and so the floor plan of this mansion had very little in common with the presidential residence. The Claymore’s moved into the house in 1823, and soon after invited all the local well-to-dos for an opening ball in May of 1823, what became an annual event. For decades the Claymore mansion was a staple in the social life of the Georgetown elite. This only changed following the collapse of slavery after the War Between the States. Once emancipation and equality became law 1863, plantation economics slowly collapsed. With ever mounting debts and less and less money coming in, the Claymore’s manor fell into disrepair. When the estate was auctioned off in 1885, Manhattan businessman James P. Roosevelt bought the house and the surrounding property with the intent of “both preserving history and opening the finest hotel in the world.”

Roosevelt’s “Washington Hotel,” would open its doors in late 1888, after several years of refurbishing and repairs were carried out on the mansion and the grounds. For the first time in nearly a decade, the Claymore Ball was held in 1889, signalling a return to prominence for the famous landmark. Roosevelt’s restoration was only a facelift and repair of the 1823 redesign carried out by Hiram Claymore, not a true restoration of the original President’s House.
McIntosh, Dr. Alexandra. America’s Lost City: The History of the District of Columbia Federal Park. Geogetown, MD: Old Capital Press, 2014.

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CENSUS: OVER 50 MILLION AMERICANS

FRANKLIN - The Census Bureau has released the results of the census carried out this spring, and the nation is now home to over 54 million people. Out of 36 states in the Federal Union, 23 are now home to more than 1 million people. New York remains the largest state, with just over 5 million people, followed by Ohio at 3.8 million, and Pennsylvania at 3.4 million. The Congressoinal redistribution will be ready in time for the 1892 elections, when the House of Representatives will go from it’s current size of 391 members to 538. There is already talk about putting a cap on the size of the House, but it is unclear if there will be enough political will to make such changes, as the previous redistribution that occurred in 1875 under the Gilford-Hammon Act was itself controversial and hard to achieve.
“Census: Over 50 Million Americans,” Brooklyn Standard, October 1, 1890

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LIBERALS MAKE GAINS, BUT FEDS LIKELY TO STAY IN POWER

FRANKLIN - The results of the congressional elections are in, with no major surprises. The Liberals were able to rebound somewhat from their dismal showing in 1888, following the reaction to Gregory Nollert’s controversial and misunderstood statements prior to the election, but the Federalists are still the largest party at 150 seats, coming up 47 seats shy of the majority they enjoyed 2 years ago. The Liberals came back from their low point of 91 seats in 1888 and are now at 132. The real question now is if First Secretary Caldecott will be able to get either enough Liberals to keep him in office, or convince enough Democrats (they number 59 seats this session) to avoid a deadlock in the House.

When asked for comment, First Secretary Caldecott stated simply that, “I’ve been in the House for a decade now, and I have confidence in the system. I believe I’ll be returned to leadership by the current members, but if not, I will gladly step aside for new blood.” Sources in Congress seem to think that there are enough people willing to cross party lines to keep Caldecott in that this won’t be a major issue.
“Liberals Make Gains, But Feds Likely to Stay in Power,” Franklin Observer, November 14, 1890.

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Over the winter of 1890-1891, Andrew Caldecott and his allies in the House began to make overtures towards members of the Democrats and to the Liberals, in the hopes of easily securing his reelection as First Secretary. It was not an easy task, despite Caldecott’s public comments to the contrary in the press. Liberals were still smarting from their losses in 1888 and did not want to cooperate with the Federalists. And the Democrats were leaning more and more towards the Republicans (a fact that would blow up into the public eye in 1891). First was the promise of 10 of the 19 Liberals from the New York delegation, leaving 37 more supporters to be found. Half of the Liberals in the Massachusetts delegation promised to support Caldecott in late December. Ohio’s 8 Democrats promised support in early January, followed by Pennsylvania’s 7 Democrats and New York’s 5 Democrats soon after, leaving 12 supporters still to be found by mid February. By the first of March, the 9 Democrats from Tennessee and Kentucky came on board, leaving just 3 more votes for the First Secretary to find. Delaware’s lone Liberal announced his support on the opening day of the session. The final 2 votes to reelect Caldecott came from the 2 Liberal Representatives from Illinois, securing his second term as First Secretary. Many more hard-core liberals were annoyed with the outcome, having hoped to try and challenge Caldecott, but no strong challenger could be found that was willing to drag out a fight for House leadership.
Grover, Dr. Bryson. The Caldecott Family. Manhattan: Island Republic Press, 2001.

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DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICAN CONVENTION OPENS IN ST. LOUIS

ST. LOUIS, MO - Leaders of the Republican and Democratic Parties have opened what is truly a historic convention: a gathering of members of both parties to discuss common cause, as divided they have little say in the House, but combined would likely be able to challenge the other two parties for second place, though not likely to reclaim the First Secretary’s office for some time.

Some delegates, including Iowa Democratic Representative Peter Tindle, believe that the best way forward is to have the two parties, which first divided in the early 1820s, should reunite as one to act as a true counter to the Federalists and the Liberals. Others, such as the Dixiana Governor Frank Atwood and Missouri Senator and former Presidential candidate Harrison Ford, believed that the parties should remain separate, but work in tandem to thwart the Federalists and Liberals. It remains to be seen which group will win out.
“Democratic-Republican Convention Opens in St. Louis,” Boston Eagle, April 3, 1891.

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TINDLE FACTION WINS OUT - DEMS and REPS TO UNITE

ST. LOUIS - In an overwhelming majority, the delegates at the Democratic-Republican Convention have voted to combine into one larger party. This motion had been championed by Democrat Peter Tindle, Representative for Iowa, who stated from the start of the gathering that the only way for either party to remain viable was for “two to become one once more,” as Tindle said in his first major address to the convention on April 5. There were many holdouts, and some delegates from both parties walked out at various moments, but in the end the majority of the leadership in both parties came over to Tindle’s side.

Tindle and other party leaders are planning a formal ceremony in Franklin combining the parties, having all serving members in Congress take part in a new “swearing-in ceremony” to launch the new political organization. It is likely that some members of the Democrats, who were the most vocal in opposition to the merger, will either form a new independent faction or join the Federalists or Liberals. Several dozen Democratic members of Congress, mostly from the North East, have stated that they can’t be part of a party that, in part, supported the old Union during the War Between the States. Representative Jacob McKnight of New York told reporters, “the Republicans are nothing but a bunch of Old-Union diehards, with half their towns having streets and public buildings named in honor of the tyrant Hawthorne, and I will not be under the same banner as they are, end of story.”
“Tindle Faction Wins Out - Dems and Reps to Unite,” Franklin Observer, April 18, 1891.

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MANHATTAN DEMANDS REPRESENTATION

MANHATTAN - The citizens of Manhattan held a demonstration yesterday to call for voting rights and representation for island district. The crowd of some 40,000 marched from the pedestal of the still-incomplete Freedom Triumphant state at the south end of the island, up Portman Boulevard to City Hall, where the District Assembly meets and where District Governor Clinton Rogers has his office. Once in City Hall Square, the demonstrators chanted, sang, and listened to several speakers rally for granting the citizens of the district, now numbering in the 100,000s of thousands, to be given representation in Congress and the ability to vote for President, something that has been denied to them since the establishment of the district in 1879. Members of the Liberal, Federalist, and Democratic parties all support such an action, but it is unclear whether or not Congress will act to give Manhattan what it is asking for.

“Manhattan Demands Representation,” Brooklyn Standard, May 18, 1891.

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DEMOCRATIC-NATIONALISTS SWORN IN

FRANKLIN - Members of Congress belonging to the Democratic and Republican parties took part in a special ceremony on the steps of the Federal Congress Hall, inaugurating their new political movement, the so-called “Democratic-Nationalist Party.” Leading this ceremony were Iowa Representative Peter Tindle, Missouri Senator Harrison Ford, and Dixiana Governor Frank Atwood, who all spoke about the “bright future” of the new movement. 76 representatives and 30 senators took part in this ceremony, along with various visiting politicians from state governments from all across the country. In a surprising move, Tindle and the others unveiled a party symbol and banner, a stylized golden eagle on blue. To date, no other party has formally adopted any symbol or color.

Not all members of the Democrats in the House joined the new party. In protest to the ceremony on the North Bank of Franklin, 22 Democratic Representatives marched down Union Avenue to Washington House, where they delivered a letter to President Rowling informing him they were joining the Federalist Party. They were met at the door by First Secretary Caldecott and welcomed inside. The 22 “defectors,” as Tindle has dubbed them, include all 7 Pennsylvania Democrats, all 5 from New York, 6 of the 8 Democratic Representatives from Ohio, and all 4 Appalachian Democrats.
“Democratic-Nationalists Sworn In,” Boston Eagle, May 31, 1891.

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QUEEN VICTORIA CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE

LONDON - Queen Victoria celebrates her 50th year on the throne this week, with planned celebrations across the Empire marking the 50th anniversary of the Queen taking the throne back in 1841. The 72 year old monarch is said to be in very good health, and is very popular in the United Kingdom. Many refer to her as the “Reformer Queen,” as she has been a champion of the poor and working class citizens of Great Britain, calling for improvements in working and living conditions for all her subjects. Although aloof about women’s suffrage, she has worked to expand the rights of inheritance for women in her realm, and has taken great lengths to ensure that her eldest child, Princess Victoria Alexandra, becomes her legal heir, an issue that is now long settled.

The monarch and her children and grandchildren are set to take part in various ceremonies in London this week, culminating with a special service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on July 9th, followed by a grand ball at Buckingham Palace. Tens if not hundreds of thousands will line the streets to wish the Queen well. Most believe that if her health holds up, she will easily reach her diamond jubilee in 1901.

Here in Franklin, the British Embassy is throwing a special reception on the 9th to honor the queen’s 50th year, and it is expected that many members of high society will attend, including President Rowling, who is rumored to consider Victoria a friend of sorts. The two reportedly have regular correspondence beyond what would be expected between two heads of state, and this correspondence supposedly goes back prior to Rowling’s time in office. As the reader will recall, before becoming a member of the Senate, Rowling served for nearly a decade as U.S. Minister to Great Britain.
“Queen Victoria Celebrates Golden Jubilee,” Franklin Observer, July 6, 1891.

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IRISHMEN MARCH FOR CHANGE, VIOLENCE ENSUES

DUBLIN - The Irish People’s Party, once an offshoot of the British People’s Party but increasingly turning more to the left and inspired by Owenite philosophy, held a mass demonstration today, calling for Irish home rule and equality for Catholics, something repeatedly denied to southern Irishmen despite calls from many politicians in multiple parties to bring about some sort of reform for Ireland.

The march began peaceably, but tragically turned violent when the marchers were turned back by police. Officials in Dublin claim that the IPP members were the ones that started the violence, but the IPP claims it was the police. Regardless, the march turned into a mass street brawl. At least four people were killed, and dozens were sent to the hospital, and many more were arrested. The authorities in Dublin have declared martial law for 48 hours to try and restore order.

Queen Victoria’s daughter, rarely shy about speaking her mind to the press, condemned the violence and stated that she “hears the plea of the Irish people and that their yearnings for reform will not go unnoticed in London.” This has caused quite a stir among conservative politicians in Parliament. The heir to the throne has been outspoken on many liberal and reformist issues, but this is the first time a senior member of the Royal Family have spoken out in favor of the Irish People’s Party.

“Irishmen March For Change, Violence Ensues,” Boston Eagle, July 10, 1891.

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HUGO BRANDT DEAD AT 79

COLUMBUS - Hugo Brandt, the 14th President of the United States and political hero from the War Between the States, has passed away at his home outside of Columbus. According to a statement released by his youngest son, Percival Brandt, the former President passed away in his sleep in the early hours of November 20th, and was found by his wife, Alexandra, later that morning. Brandt, the so-called “Great Unifier,” helped lead the revolting states against the Hawthorne Dictatorship, by becoming Acting President in May of 1860, and helped guide the revolution that overthrew Hawthorne and the Southern Slavers two years later in the Fall and Winter of 1862. Following the War, Brandt helped bind the wounds of civil war and bring the fractured nation back together. The success and overall internal stability these past thirty years are largely attributed to Brandt.

President Rowling has announced a 90-day state of mourning throughout the nation in honor of Brandt’s passing. Flags will be flown at half-mast, and all Federal buildings in Franklin will be draped in black mourning cloth. The President also extended the offer to have Brandt given a full state funeral, though it remains to be seen at this time if the family will accept.
“Hugo Brandt Dead at 79,” Boston Eagle, November 21, 1891.

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FREEDOM TRIUMPHANT DEDICATED IN MANHATTAN

MANHATTAN - In a great day of celebration, the 145 foot statue, “Freedom Triumphant,” has been officially dedicated. The ceremonies began at 10:00 in the morning, where President Rowling addressed the assembled crowds in front of Manhattan District Hall, as it was recently renamed, declaring, “Today the people of this city celebrate the coming of age of the rebirth of metropolis. Rising from the ashes of war Manhattanites have toiled hard the past thirty years, to build a truly American wonder. And today we gather to dedicate a beautiful symbol of our freedom, and also a symbol of our friendship with our Borealian brethren to the north, and British cousins across the sea. May freedom alway be triumphant, as it was on the 21st of March, 1862, when allied soldiers cleared the forces of slavery and tyranny from this city, liberating it from bondage as they soon did the slave in the fields of Georgia.”

Following his remarks, the President led the party of dignitaries from District Hall down Portman Boulevard to the gleaming new statue, one arm raising a sword in victory, the other holding a lantern up to the world, lighting the way to freedom. Among the dignitaries present were British heir Princess Victoria Alexandra and Borealian Prime Minister Benjamin Lockheart, both of whom spoke at the base of the pedestal, which is itself also 145 feet, making the total structure soar above downtown Manhattan at 290 feet. The Princess remarked that, “may this statue be a symbol to the world that the fight for freedom may be hard, but will be won. Tyranny and oppression, in whatever form it manifests itself in, shall be defeated.”
“Freedom Triumphant Dedicated in Manhattan,” Manhattan Gazette, March 21, 1892.

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ROWLING BACKS PLAN FOR MANHATTAN REPRESENTATION

FRANKLIN - President Rowling, fresh from his recent trip to the dedication ceremony of Freedom Triumphant in Manhattan, announced that he is in support of extending voting and representational rights to the Districts of Manhattan and Washington (the nation’s capital), saying that, “citizens of two of America’s greatest cities, by a fluke of law and oversight, have for too long been denied agency in our great democratic process.” He went on to call upon Congressional leadership to pass the necessary legislation to grant both cities legislation in Congress and the right to vote in national elections.

There is support for the bill in all three parties, though there is also a fair amount of Congressmen who believe that this would set a precedent requiring representation for territories as well as these two special districts. First Secretary Caldecott has not given his opinion on the matter to the public as of yet.

“Rowling Backs Plan for Manhattan Representation,” Brooklyn Standard, March 29, 1892.

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WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE BILL PASSES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

CONCORD, NH - The state legislature of New Hampshire, which is currently under the control of a slim majority of Liberals, has successfully passed the nation’s second law giving women the right to vote in state and national elections, after Massachusetts historic law that was passed 5 years ago. Governor Leroy Harvey, himself a Federalist, promised to sign the bill when it arrives at the Governor’s mansion in the next few days. Elizabeth Cady-Brewer, the long-time leader of the National Women’s Suffrage Association hailed this new law as another step forward in making all people in the United States, regardless of gender, equal before the law. Cady-Brewer has been an active proponent of the Liberal Party, and helped make women’s suffrage part of the party’s platform. There are some calling for her to run for office in Massachusetts, but as of yet no such plan has been made public. The passage of this bill will guarantee that women in New Hampshire will be able to vote in this year’s Congressional elections, possibly helping out the Liberals in that state.
“Women’s Suffrage Bill Passes In New Hampshire,” Manhattan Gazette, May 12, 1892.

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LEADERSHIP NIGHTMARE AFTER CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS

FRANKLIN - With the election results now in from the recent congressional elections, it looks as though the next Congress will be one of the most divided in decades, with no clear victor. The ranks of Congress swelled from 388 to 543 thanks to the results of the last census, and the Liberal party snatched up many of those new seats, coming up from their number two spot in 1890 to being the largest party at 224 seats, but still way shy of the 273 seats now needed to hold a majority. The Federalists are now at number two with 191 seats, followed distantly by the newly minted Democratic-Nationalists, which did not perform as well as the party had hoped it would when the merger between the Democratic and Republican parties was announced last year. It seems almost a foregone conclusion that First Secretary Caldecott will get ousted when the new Congress assembles for the first time next March, but just who will replace him remains to be seen.

And although the Democratic-Nationalists performed poorly in the House, they are now the largest single party in the Senate at 31 seats, though it is unlikely they will be able to yield too much power as they are shy of the 42 seats needed to control a majority. It is likely that the anti-D/N coalition in the Senate will be able to keep them in check.

Another interesting development in this election: The Owenite factionalists have been able to grab their first ever Senate seat from western Indiana, the so-called heartland of Owenite Communalism. Owenites now make up a majority of both the Indiana and Illinois delegations in the House of Representatives, 15 in total. Despite their successes there, the Owenite political movement has yet to spread significantly into neighboring states, though some in the Liberal Party point to Owen’s writings as one of many sources of inspiration for their own beliefs.
“Leadership Nightmare After Congressional Elections,” Brooklyn Standard, November 21, 1892.

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PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES TRIP TO BRITAIN

FRANKLIN - Washington House has announced that President Rowling has been invited to London by Queen Victoria, and that the President plans to accept. It has been a known fact that President Rowling and the Queen have been in regular correspondence for years, ever since he served as American Minister to the United Kingdom in the decade after the War Between the States. The exact dates have not been set yet, but this historic and unprecedented trip will take place sometime in the summer, likely in July or August. Although not the first time an American President has travelled outside the United States (that was done by President Littlefield in 1880), this will be the first time that a sitting American President has travelled overseas to visit another nation.

Some officials have expressed concerned, but with the trans-atlantic cable in operation, the President should be able to conduct the most essential of his duties, and he will likely travel when Congress is in summer recess, so the need to sign legislation would not be an issue. Others are concerned about security, both in travelling such a great distance, and also once in Britain.
“President Announces Trip to Britain,” Franklin Observer, December 1, 1892.

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CALDECOTT OUT

FRANKLIN - After over a month of deadlock in the House, the leadership debate has finally been solved. First Secretary Caldecott has agreed to resign and support the Liberal representative Gary Sanderson of Ohio. In return, the Liberals are promising to support legislation to cap the membership of the House at 500 and allocate membership based on population percentages. Caldecott has stated that if the Liberals back out on their promises, the Federalists will call a vote of no-confidence in Sanderson and make an alliance with the Democratic-Nationalists.
“Caldecott Out,” Boston Eagle, April 17, 1893.

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MANHATTAN-FRANKLIN ACT SIGNED

FRANKLIN - President Rowling has signed the Manhattan-Franklin Act into law. The new legislation officially gives representation to the two special Federal Districts of Manhattan and Washington (where Franklin is located), on the same basis that the states are given representatives in Congress. However, each District will only be represented by one senator instead of two.
"Manhattan-Franklin Act Signed," Brooklyn Standard. June 1, 1893.

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President Rowling’s trip to Great Britain began on July 7th, where he boarded the American passenger liner S.S. Colombian Promise in Manhattan for the one week journey to London. The ship was escorted by a small naval flotilla, and took 7 and a half days to reach Liverpool, where the Presidential retinue passed onto a special train, greeted by Prime MInister Benjamin Ward, and made the trek on to London. The President stayed at the now historic Royal Grand Hotel in Piccadilly, not far from the American Legation in London. The city had thronged with onlookers when the President arrived at Prince Alexander Station, cheering and waving British and American flags. The following day, July 16th, Rowling, his wife, and the American Minister to Great Britain rode in an open carriage to the House Guard Parade, where they were met by Queen Victoria, the Crown Princess Victoria Alexandra, and Prime Minister Ward. Once reviewing the royal guard, the Royals formally extended an invitation to the Buckingham Palace, and the party travelled by carriage through St. James Park to the Palace. The streets were again packed with people. The Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes fluttered from lamp posts and buildings and amongst the masses assembled to see their sovereign and the American president.

That night, the Queen and Crown Princess hosted a reception ball in honor of Rowling and his wife at the palace. Victoria said in her speech to the dignitaries assembled that, “despite our history of differences and disagreements, we are family. America was born from British civilization seeking out a new life in a New World. And like family we have quarreled and fought, but the bonds of family are unbreakable. Today America and Great Britain seek peace and prosperity for all our people, and to share our civilization with the world.” The Crown Princess also spoke briefly, speaking of the future, “America and Great Britain will stride forward into the fast approaching new century hand in hand, leaving the disputes of the past in the past, and working together to build a brighter for all, rich and poor, black and white, British and American alike.”

The following day, President Rowling was afforded the rare honor to address the British Parliament. The pomp and ceremony at his arrival at the Palace of Westminster was only rivaled by what had taken place the night before at Buckingham Palace. In his address, Rowling remarked, “I am honored and humbled to be the first American head of state to be invited to these shores, and to speak in this august chamber. Great Britain and the United States have had a long and complicated relationship, and at times, as Her Majesty mentioned only yesterday, we have had great disagreements. But we are family. Cousins separated by a great ocean that once seemed like an impenetrable, but is today something that only takes a week to cross. In the future, as our technology and engineering continue to improve at unfathomable speeds, it may only a handful of days to cross from the New World to the Old. As such, my country can no longer act in isolation. We must have partners to succeed, and I can think of no greater partner than our British cousins.”
Collins, Dr. Henry. The Rowling Years: 1889-1895. Manhattan: Island Republic Publishers, 1989.

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HOUSE MEMBERSHIP CAP LAW PASSED

FRANKLIN - After months of deliberation, the House has finally passed the “Hamlin-Tindle Act,” otherwise known as the House Membership Cap Law, and it is expected that President Rowling will sign the bill into law within days. The new regulations permanently caps the membership of the House of Representatives at 500, and will reappropriate individual state delegations after every census based what percentage of the total population resides in each state. The new numbers will take effect in the 1894 election. Most states will see a slight reduction in their delegation numbers, losing 1 or 2 representatives, with a few states losing 3 or 4.

It took several months of debate to come to this final decision. Though the LIberals promised to support the law, not all members agreed to this plan, believing the capping of membership will mean that each person’s voice in Congress through their representative will be diminished by a cap as the population of the country continues to grow. They argued for increasing the cap to 600, some even 700, and it took months to talk them down and or convince enough of them to vote for the 500 member cap. Looming above this discussion was the potential to have First Secretary Sanderson removed from his position and the Federalists aligning themselves with Democratic-Nationalists to install a new House leader.
“House Membership Cap Law Passed,” Franklin Observer, October 1, 1893.

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LIBERALS ANNOUNCE PRIMARY ELECTION

BOSTON - Party leaders meeting in Boston have announced that, since there are several Liberal candidates wanting to be the party nominee for the 1894 presidential election, they will be holding a “primary” election in the late winter and early spring of 1894 to allow party members across the nation to vote for their prefered candidate. According to the plan, each state will be allotted so many delegates, and the registered party members in each state will be able to vote for their prefered candidate, and delegates will be allocated from each state to each candidate based on the percentage that they win.

A primary election model has been discussed by all the major parties for years, but this is the first party to do so. Political observers believe that now that the Liberals have enacted this move, other parties will likely follow.
“Liberals Announce Primary Election,” Boston Eagle, October 17, 1893.

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The election of 1894 was not the most remarkable, especially when compared to the previous presidential election in 1888 and the infamous “gaffe heard round the world” that likely cost Gregory Nollert and the Liberal Party the presidency. The pattern of mad-dash campaigning by the candidates themselves that had been started in the 1870s by then-candidate Horace Littlefield had now become the expected norm. Once the party conventions were held in July and August, the three candidates began to trek across the country via rail, trying to win over the nation’s voters.

The Federalists nominated former First Secretary Andrew Caldecott as their presidential candidate at their convention in Columbus, with Secretary of the Interior Richard Lance as their vice presidential candidate. The Democratic-Nationalists met once more in St. Louis, and had a bit of a battle on the convention floor as to who would be their nominee. In the end, Peter Tindle of Iowa was nominated, with the Governor of Jefferson, Brance Haley, nominated for the vice presidency. At the Liberal convention, the results of the primary election made the convention results more of a foregone conclusion: Colin Beck, Liberal governor of Massachusetts, would be the party nominee. The big debate became who would be the vice presidential candidate. In the end, Dale Hamlin, representative from Ohio, won that honor.

Major issues ranged from continued US involvement abroad and building international relationships, something championed by the Federalists, opening the franchise to women, a Liberal cornerstone issue, to Nationalists who wanted to see increased military spending and a decrease in Federal oversight on the states.

In the end, Governor Beck was able to narrowly pull out an absolute victory, winning 293 of the 581 total electoral votes, 2 more than was required to win a majority. Colin Beck’s election was the first time in nearly a century that someone from Massachusetts became president, the first since John Adams. Former First Secretary Caldecott received 173 votes, and in third place the Nationalists won 115 votes. For the first time, the Liberals had captured Washington House. They also retained control of the House (with the help of the Owenites), and had the largest party in the Senate. Liberalism had come to America. Now the question was, would the Liberals be able to reshape America in their image.
Harley, Dr. Donald. Liberalism, A History. Franklin: UUS Press House, 2016.

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Upon his return to Texas, Zeppelin served for over twenty years in the Texan Army. His father continued to serve in the Texan government, having served in the National Assembly and also in several different administrations as Foreign Secretary and Interior Secretary, prior to his death in 1885. In 1888, Ferdinand resigned his army posting to help his brother run the family estate outside Neu Frankfurt. Now at age 50, helping run the family ranch and other business ventures while his brother took up their father’s mantle in politics, Zeppelin began to tinker with the ideas of lighter than air flight, something that he’d been toying with since riding in the observation balloons during the American War Between the States. This idea started out as the “balloon train,” having balloons linked together to fly as one entity. He contacted industrialists, scientists, and military men from Texas and the United States, and began to work on developing a design for a “multi-balloon aircraft.” Zeppelin’s hope was to use the craft as a military observation vehicle, and possibly used for some sort of aerial attack platform. Others that he contacted also spoke of potential future civilian uses, though those were not Zeppelin’s immediate interest. In 1895, Zeppelin established the Zeppelin Aircraft Works outside Neu Frankfurt, with the hopes of having a viable aircraft within 5 years.

Anderson, Dr. Jacob. The Zeppelin Story. Nacogdoches: TU Press, 1999.

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Slightly later than I'd planned, but finally complete. May be a few weeks before the next update that will get us to 1900.

Winding things up for 1899, when things go crazy in Europe. The next update will have more of that build up, with things going on in France, Bavaria, Prussia and Austria that will bring and end to peace. And as I already alluded to, Queen Victoria I will die in 1899 as well.