A Barrage of Fear and Greed or The Uninterrupted Presidency of James A. Garfield

The only name I caught was Barry Dunham, a clever allusion to Barack Obama, but that's too obvious right?
Ooh, it could be that, too.

Wait, he did say our world, so he's not necessarily the POTUS in this world. So we might be misinterpreting him.
 
The only name I caught was Barry Dunham, a clever allusion to Barack Obama, but that's too obvious right?

The actor?


Ah, so the POTUS is some Reagan-Obama mix. Cool.

Ooh, it could be that, too.

Wait, he did say our world, so he's not necessarily the POTUS in this world. So we might be misinterpreting him.

Nofix is right. Yes, it is a bit obvious, but I wanted to hint at some things being slightly similar and yet different. He's not the exact same "Obama" but he is like him in being from an interracial family, idealistic, and charismatic, but with some differences as well. Also, he's a respected senator and author, who has written books on Garfield, Blaine, and Harrison (or as they're called "Post-Hayes Three").


I have been looking for a timeline like this fro ages. So the US is more expansionist and interventionist in south and central america. Sucks to be them. Keep going though
Blaine is big on making the Monroe Doctrine actually enforceable by the United States. However, the conference, which will be held before the one in-our timeline, has him on less of a "America will always be first" and more "American interests are important, but working with our Southern neighbors is important to keep Europeans from meddling".

So, Nicaragua will, with its coming canal in competition with the French Panama one, both be positively and negatively affected (huzzah canal, boo American oversight, huzzah America makes us a valuable trade partner and we get rich in trade and what not, boo other South American nations see us as U.S. lackey...).

However, we will see more than 50 stars. I won't say much, but one of those plus 50 stars will be the grand state of Puerto Virgo.

EDIT:
I mentioned earlier the U.S.E.I.A.R. Here's one of the old posters I did for what would become the USEIAR.

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Note: I will be busy up until Winter break with a lot of things, so unfortunately, I'll be having to do some short "semi-future" updates to keep this going until I have time for proper ones. Apologies to all who are still having the patience to wait for updates. Note that the following is not the full interview, just a portion...

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Excerpt from "Scorsese and Inspiration: The Director and His Guides"
By Clarence Coughlin, April 22nd, 2011 for Movietone Magazine

CC: "Anyways, you've mentioned I believe that one of your big inspirations for film was one of the early pioneers of cinema, Georges Méliès."

MS: "Mmm, yes. I think, in a lot of ways, he's every filmmakers inspiration, in one way or the other. Even if some of his films seem a bit static in some cases compared today, in terms of camera placement, I, uh, think that his work is some of the most important in the development of film as an artistic and storytelling medium. I mean, the man has a body of over six hundred films still available, out of what, seven hundred something, and while not every single one of them is Voyage dans la Lune or Voyage à travers l'impossible, a lot of them are still impressive for the limitations that those early filmmakers had when making film."

CC: "Indeed."

MS: "I think he was the first to start taking it from being shots of trains coming into stations, or people dancing, into a much more narrative framework. Plus, a lot of the special effects he created and used wouldn't see wider use until around the end of the 1920's, really. Even Les funérailles d'Etat du Président Harrison in 1901, is rather innovative for what considered to be one of his "straight pictures".

CC: "There has been some debate that he considered joining the controversial Motion Picture Patents Company formed by Edison, which was one of the first film "trusts" broken by anti-trust laws later on."

MS: "It is true that his brother Gaston, the operator of the American branch of Star Film Company [the Méliès film studio] was close to being pressured into joining the MPPC early on, though I think the government scrutiny of some of Edison's shadier tactics in the protection of copyrights and other activities he'd been getting up to was part of the reason Star Films backed out of joining the MPPC. Though I can't claim to be an expert on early 20th century anti-trust history."

CC: "Of course. Some think that the film-patent wars were just the last whispers of the so-called "Edison Empire" following the route during the "War of the Currents". Your thoughts?"

MS:
"Heh, well, as much as I'd like to say I'm an authority on the subject, I can't really say much authoritatively on it. It's possible that the film-patent wars were a miscalculation on Edison's part, since he not only had the federal government examining him under the Roosevelt Anti-Trust period, but also other film companies rallying against him, and the considerable weight of the J.P. Morgan financial empire backing those other companies. You had Biograph receiving a near $600,000 dollar investment from Morgan's own daughter Anne, to expand their studios at the time."

CC: "Which was a bit unusual."

MS: "Well, yes. I think that in why she did so, had to do in part with who she married."

CC: "Edison's rival during the Current War. You collaborated with [Ken] Burns on a documentary he was doing on that, didn't you?"

MS: "Well, collaborated is a bit strong. He did a lot of the legwork, I just did some of the historical re-creations that were involved. Ken and his main crew did a lot of the work in shaping that documentary, and I don't want their work to be marginalized."

CC: "Anyways, the marriage..."

MS: "Ah, well, that. I think the best way to describe it was "one of convenience". Not to say there wasn't any love...simply that it wasn't the sort one would expect from him. And remember, it took a lot to get him to agree. J.P. almost called it off at one point I think, but Anne finally managed to smooth things over, somehow. Really, if you want to know more, I suggest watching the documentary."

CC: "I think we've gotten a bit off topic on this."

MS: "Heh, well, that happens..."

CC: "Back to Méliès."

MS: Ah, yes. Well, consider as I mentioned, one of his "straight" films, "Les funérailles d'Etat du Président Harrison". Like his later "Coronation of King Edward VII", it was a cross between an early Edison or Lumiere "actualities" and his more narrative recreations, like "L'affaire Dreyfus" which while depicting real events, rarely used those involved, of course. Like, how a washroom attendant played the future King of the United Kingdom and the British Empire for the coronation film, the actors playing Presidents Garfield and Roosevelt were an accountant and pastry chef respectively.

Yet, even in recreations there is an accuracy and style that is very modern in some of its tone. And I think a lot of what he developed as his personal style, is part of what would become modern film language. That and there is this sense of magic and wonder that he displayed that I think some have forgotten today. And that's part of why I see him as an important influence to me, since when I make a film, part of it is about what I always wanted to see when I was a young boy, but also about the magic inherent in the art-form itself. That's part of why I think his work is still relevant and important today, at least to me."
 
Very nice! I'm glad I took Film 1 last semester haha
Well, I've always liked the work of Scorsese and Méliés, as well as Burns documentary work, so I wanted to write about them.

Also, I used it to throw in a few references to historical changes without directly explaining too much and hinting, etc.

While I've had to give up my film minor, I always have had a fascination with the cinema and the language/appreciation of film, so its fun to write about this sort of thing.


If anyone can spot some of the changes/references, I'll fling in a cameo...or a update on a topic of your choice. Or both.
 
Note: Though I'm starting to feel a bit of the winter chill around here (snuffles and coughs and what-not) and having a bit of time, I've decided to release a past update a bit early. I may or may not try and do more "period" updates before Winter Break starts, or just do a couple more "future" updates, but for now, enjoy.
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BORED OF EDUCATION


Congress Complies and Groans on a new Department

By the end of 1881, Garfield had few accomplishments to be proud of during his first months in office. He had managed to slap down Conkling and other members of Congress in regards to the appointment of the Collector of the Port of New York, and had managed to garner national favor with citizens who saw him as a President willing to deal with the problems that Congress seemed to plague the country with. However, the other goals he wished to ensure came to fruition were as he put it "like the apple seedling that has the problem of not having enough sun to grow because the other trees will not let it grow without covering it in their own shade, for fear of its potential beauty."

Indeed, frustrations abounded with the President, who saw that his desires for greater negro liberties and education reform would be stymied in Congress between Southern Democrats who would as Blaine put it "stamp their feet and stymie any such legislation much like a tantrum-prone child," while elements in his own party might cause equal resistance in retaliation for earlier that year. Such fears were real, and it would take the work of pro-Garfield congressmen, the president, and key members of his staff to fight against what would doubtless be an uphill battle against the forces of bigotry, and political power.

The idea of a Department of Education, an actual, useful department to be certain, was one goal that Garfield had in mind. He had been debating the idea of going to Congress with the idea of reinstating a now near extinct sub-office of the Department of the Interior as a full cabinet position. However, the post-summer slump and exhaustion was catching up. Despite the fact he had won the election a year before, by early November, Garfield was already starting to feel like he'd been in the office longer than he'd actually been.

With 1882 approaching, and the President's desire to actually get things done rather than be harried by job-seekers or bother with Congress over appointments, the big issue was his decision to begin proceedings about gaining support for making the Department of Education a reality. Certainly, there were some Half-Breeds and Stalwarts open to the idea, but the problems would be Republicans against Garfield and the Half-Breeds who did support him, and the Democrats, who might raise holy hell about government traipsing about the affairs of state governments and especially the southern ones who might see it correctly or not, as the first salvo towards the so called "Garfield Southern Plan" in regards to black voting and legal rights.

Concessions would have to be made. To appease Western Republicans and Democrats in California and other states and territories out west, Garfield would have to publically support the Chinese Exclusion Act that was currently being vetted in Congress. While he and Hancock as candidates in the 1880 election had both agreed to support further Chinese Exclusion Laws that were coming into play out west, the latter scandal in the days before Election Day had still thrown some doubt on the President, and Garfield (and his supporters) would have to appease the non-Half Breed Republicans and the few sympathetic Democrats to get the idea anywhere near actually being considered for passing.

For most of early 1882, Congress could be said to do nothing but "piddle, twiddle and resolve". Care was taken not to alienate those in the Republican Party and those Democrats who might be amenable to the idea. Resistance would be tough, and Garfield had no illusions that this would be an open and shut debate. Which proved true. Initial attempts and promises faltered as both Democrats and Republicans in Congress kicked up their heels in protest against not only what they saw as a potential interference of the Executive to meddle in the affairs of what should be states rights regarding education and standards. Some of this was however, a blind as part of a resistance against some of the rumors circulating about involving the Presidents stance towards reinforcing the freedoms that blacks were supposed to have according to post-war legislation and amendments.
The legal and political wrangling would continue for much of early and mid-1882, delaying the CEA a few months as that particular concession (amongst several others) was held as Congress debated over the whole issue. State representatives wrangled their hands decrying such an agency as an intrusion into the states rights. Senators complained about patronage back home. The idea of who would actually run the organization was also a point of contention.

Which was why Garfield had been quietly concentrating on one man for the job, an old friend from his day's at Hiram College, and the current President of the same, one Burke Aaron Hinsdale. Hinsdale had recently been called by mid-1882 to take over as superintendent of the Cleveland School System, which needed an overhaul and careful reorganization of its curriculum and buildings. Being a long-time correspondent with Garfield over their mutual interest in education and the national need for reform, it would have surprised even him when a letter from Garfield arrived in early May, remarking on the potential idea of a government job. Hinsdale initially was uncertain, having a duty to continue his work in Cleveland.

But Garfield's offer interested him, in part because he had an inkling of what the President was considering. Garfield on his own said little beyond that initial letter, intending to merely inquire and test the waters. There would be no point if Congress said no to raise hopes in a possible job. Still, the President knew he had his first choice in mind, and that Hinsdale was a fairly safe bet in terms of Congress considering his nomination for a potential cabinet position.

The winds in Washington regarding this idea were still "in a confusion of negative support and positive support blustering about like the most tempestuous maelstrom," as one paper put it. The argument over exactly how far the government could and should go were bandied about. Men and women in support and against of the government assisting and overseeing national education standards discussed it at length over the paper or latest gossip at clubs and bars. Though it can be overstated a bit on how much it actually was fervently discussed outside the corridors of power, there is record of at least a few rallies in support and against the idea in Washington and elsewhere. However, the Half-Breeds and Stalwarts were coming to an agreement in both houses of Congress, and the Democrats were remaining somewhat silent on the issue.

While the House was a Republican stronghold with a good majority over the Democrats, the Senate was just barely a Democratic majority. Not enough to block everything, but enough that it would require cooperation to prevent it being strangled by Congressional tricks and Democratic ill-feelings towards Garfield and his "ideas" as some put it, regarding plans for the South. Budging too much or too early on the education would allow him another victory, only this time beating Democrats, who were wary of losing support in the South, where Garfield's message rang true with blacks, but with many whites there, and in some parts of the North, was worrying.

After debating lasted until June of 1882, a bill finally was drafted up by the more moderate Half-Breeds regarding the formation of a Department of Education and the cabinet post it would be potentially given. The bill went through committee, and for a time it seemed like there it would stay, for at least four more weeks went by as it was debated and considered. However, it surprisingly managed to move to both houses for consideration and discussion. Yet another week went by as the Senate was stymied to almost a crawl, while the Republicans in Congress made moves that they had the majority, and while not all supported ever inch of the bill, they'd pass it in the end...if the Senate was amiable.

In a surprising stroke, several prominent Democrats in the Senate agreed with the Republicans that such an agency must be created. This growing agreement and possibility of passing the already uncertain bill, came due to continued delay over the CEA, which had been quagmired as well in Congress, as part of a semi-agreed upon "gentlemans agreement" to not pass one bill/act before the other got due consideration. While some behind closed doors in the senate in both Democratic and Republican caucus's were divided over the issue, it was agreed that perhaps concession on education could be traded for other things down the line.

By now, the 47th Congress was almost at the end of its first "official" session, which would end August 8. It would not reconvene until December 4, which meant at least three months of things remaining deadlocked appeared to be on the horizon. Yet, on August 5th, 1882, the Bill for the Formation of a Department of Education and its Officers, passed through a narrow margin in both houses. Garfield had won a small victory, but the bills language stated that the office would become official and full in the next Presidential election year.

However, it provided in the interim that "the President may choose an officer or officers of good standing, conduct, and resource for the formation of a committee, panel, or board to consider, debate, and propose the new offices structure, mission, and qualifications for officers of this department when it becomes a full and recognized office and post of the United States and the Executive Cabinet Officers."

For now, it would have to do, and Garfield had read the bill with a sense of relief. Congress had wanted to wash their hands of another potential headache, and so had after appearing to consider the matter, had passed a final bill on the wire, even if it was only just enough. The language of bill allowed for a Executive Committee or Board to be formed to consider the exact mission of the new Department, as the bill had been semi-vague on what exactly its powers and responsibilities were, vaguely stating that it had the purview of setting standards, reviewing facilities, and a few other notions, but wrangling and uncertainess had led to the Executive Committee part being inserted to let others deal with that problem.

Garfield knew the man he wanted to head that Committee, and that man was willing to come at the call....

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Burke Aaron Hinsdale
1st Secretary of Education

 
Note: And we're back. Christmas Break (for me at least) is finally here, allowing for me to get back to working on this. Sorry to any readers still left (don't know if I have any anymore, really...) for all the waiting and promises, etc... Tomorrow I hope to have a Christmas Day update about the Garfield family Christmas, and as we move into the New Year, a little trailer of sorts might appear.


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Architect of Nations and Empire
James G. Blaine and the Road to the
First "Pan-American" Conference of 1882

In 1881, James G. Blaine had many successes. One of his rivals for power in Congress had unwisely allowed himself to lose office, in some disgrace as well. His plans for a Pan-American conference, though the actual term was not yet in use, was underway in terms of preparations. While he and Garfield agreed the Panama Canal was still of interest as a purely "American" Canal, free of European influence, and the idea would stick with them until both men's administrations end, for now a possible American canal through Nicaragua was considered as a viable alternative.

However, not all was well. The War of the Pacific, fought between Chile and a alliance of Peru and Bolivia, had been ongoing since 1879, and now was in its second year by late 1881, with somewhat costly, but certain victory for Chile, and Bolivia by this point sitting on the sidelines after several harsh defeats, leaving Peru to hold up their end of the war. Blaine had attempted early in the administration to try and have the United States offer to be a negotiator between the three countries for a peace settlement.

Unfortunately, several ill-winds came to pass at this point. Blaine's ministers to the main warring nations were bunglers, identifying too closely to the nations they served their postings in. As well, a somewhat honorable in the abstract, if mistimed and certainly badly worded stipulation from Blaine himself regarding that Peru must remain a whole and intact nation in any talks regarding a peace settlement ticked off Chile. American and Chilean relations soured, as American impartiality was seen to be non-existent by the Chilean government.

By the last weeks of 1881, Blaine realized that his ministry to South America was in jeopardy due to mistakes by himself and by his current ministers. Consulting and discussing the matter with key State Department figures, as well as the President regarding the dispute and "mistakes made", Blaine chose to send his son, Walker Blaine, and statesman/diplomat William H. Trescott to the main belligerents, in hopes of salvaging the situation.

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Walker Blaine and William H. Trescott.

By good fortune, the appointment of the two men to Peru and Chile would manage to turn around any further decline in relations, however as the New Year came and went, the conflict would continue, and the poor handling of the settlement offer by the Blaine State Department would lead to conflict further in 1882 as his grand plan for a "Conference of the America's" looked to fall apart at the seams. Chile and Peru's squabbles continued beyond the bungling of American diplomatic overtures for a third-party settlement, as both were contentious in regards to attending the conference. Neither was willing to attend with the war still being fought, and Chile was especially soured to attending following Blaine's mishandling of diplomatic settlement to the conflict.

Yet, through a herculean effort on the parts of the State Department and the so called "Trescott Mission", both governments agreed to send in the end "Special Envoy Observers", who would not take part in the main discussion or any treaties and trade agreements that might be considered during the Conference, but who would have fairly free access to the event proper, while each "Special Envoy" would be kept far away from the other as possible. Meanwhile most of the other major Central and South American states which had been invited generally agreed to attend. As well, Blaine sent messages to his ministers in Chile and Peru that the nations could seek to use the conference as a means to mediate their conflict with other regional peers. While neither nation was thrilled at the prospect, some grudging discussion would occur, though not enough that anything meaningful was accomplished between the remaining players in the War of the Pacific.

As Blaine continued to prepare for the coming conference, other foreign policy decisions would come across his desk, from dealing with Great Britain and Canada regarding fishing rights in the North Atlantic, further dealings in South America, and issues regarding the American plan for the Pacific nations. The conference itself would involve many of the major powers of the South American continent, and Blaine had no wish for further "incidents" to occur while the conference was underway. America's foreign policy department had taken a hit with the Chile-Peru imbroglio regarding negotiations and potential settlement, and Blaine knew an unsuccessful term as Secretary of State could end his career. With that, he began to manage very carefully the content and course the conference was to go, and to ensure that no future mistakes of very politically embarrassing sort occurred. Yet, as he did so, several events would force the Garfield administration into a very delicate spot.....


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Shipshape and Seaworthy
The Rise of the U.S. Navy post-Civil War, Pt. 2
1882-1884

By mid-1882 Secretary of the Navy William H. Hunt had overseen the striking and scrapping of several vessels from the active navy register, as well as the near completion through these scrapping funds of the USS Puritan. In addition, the Navy Board of Inquiry that had been set up to study and suggest solutions to the U.S. Navy's need for modern fighting vessels that were worth the money Congress might reluctantly put into them.

The Navy at the time was also dealing with the ill-fated Lady Franklin Bay Expedition of 1881-1883 during this period, in which several subsequent rescues had tried and failed to save the 19 man expeditionary force under the command of the Army's First Lt. Adolphus Greely, before a final rescue effort made by Captain Winfield Scott Schley aboard the USRC Bear, and the vessels Alert and Thetis rescued the remaining six survivors of the expedition. As well, the Army was dealing with the capture of the expeditions main organizer, Cpt. Henry W. Howgate, who had embezzled over $100,000 dollars from the United States Signal Corps during his tenure as Chief Disbursing Officer, which eventually led Secretary of War Robert T. Lincoln to send both Secret Service Agents and Pinkertons after him.

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Photo of rescuers and rescuees, 1883, most likely taken aboard the vessel Thetis.

Though the Navy had made a successful case and had gotten the ABCDE fleet, as well as funding for the rest of the Amphitrite monitors from a reluctant and uncertain Congress, these vessels would not an entire modern navy make. Hunt and others sought to bring the United States Navy into the future, as worrying signs that the delapidation of the navy was in fact worse than suspected. As more ships were examined and struck from the active naval register for scrapping for being unfit for actually sailing, let alone normal or combat operations, a new scare would begin to build in both the Navy Department and the halls of government on Capitol Hill....

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USS Monadnock (BM-3) under construction shortly before her launch, 1883, Burgess Shipyards, Vallejo, California.

Throughout the 1880's, several South and Central American governments would begin the process of adding to their navies more modern and powerful ships. Among the first to have a major upgrade was the Argentinian Navy, with the ARA Almirante Brown being delivered to the country from her British shipbuilders in late 1881. Though not much more modern than the proposed vessels for the ABCDE fleet currently on the table, its delivery would feed into fears and concerns in the halls of American government about the United States ability to protect its own shores, let alone project power in the region.

As Blaine would put it in a private journal entry, "...the Monroe doctrine which we have claimed to back may very well be seen as toothless as a common garden snake..."

Though Secretary of State, Blaine himself knew the importance of a strong navy. Foreign diplomacy could sometimes only go so far with economic clout, and the ability and willingness to back up words with actions were sometimes needed. If the United States could not back up political words with appropriate action or strength, then the balance of power would shift. And while he had no desire to get into a shooting war with South American powers such as the Empire of Brazil, Argentina, or Chile, the threat to the Monroe Doctrine, which Garfield had vowed to uphold earlier in his inaugural, was looking to be pretty severe if the United States didn't do something...

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Line drawing of the ARA Almirante Brown.

"If all this old navy of ours were drawn up in battle array in mid-ocean and confronted by the Riachuelo it is doubtful whether a single vessel bearing the American flag would get into port," were the rather alarmist and worried words of the United States House Naval Affairs Committee Chairman in 1883, after the delivery of the Brazilian naval vessel Riachuelo from the London shipbuilding company Samuda Brothers. Certainly more modern than the Almirante Brown in some ways, the new Brazilian vessel again showed that the United States was behind in terms of naval capability and modernization.

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Above: The Brazilian naval vessel Riachuelo in 1885.

Below: The Argentinian ARA Almirante Brown
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It would be this series of naval acquisitions by South American powers from 1880 to 1883/4 that would jump start the further modernization of America's navy beyond the initial gains of the Garfield administration. As the remaining monitors were completed and the shipyards began construction on the various vessels of the ABCDE fleet, Congress again approved the money needed for the construction of more modern vessels, during the so-called "Warship Panic of 83'". This bill initially provided funding for three vessels of a much higher class than the monitors or armored cruisers currently under construction/completion, among further gunboats and dispatch vessels as well.

While this would be the first major step in bringing the United States into the modern era of naval vessels, issues would arise, among them classification of the vessels, considerations of current facilities versus modern ship design, and naming. However, the Navy would be hurt especially hard by the passing of Navy Secretary William H. Hunt in April of 1884, his health having been in heavy decline since February of that year.

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Additional Information/Notes:

1.) Much as in our timeline, some of Blaine's appointments to embassies and consulates have gone a bit wrong, certainly in regards to his appointments regarding Chile and Peru. However, unlike OTL where his appointment of the so-called "Trescott Mission" was a final act of a man who had lost political power now that Arthur was President, and was subsequently ruined by both Arthur and his new Secretary of States publication of confidential letters and documents regarding negotiations, and subsequent redaction of invitations to the Conference, in this TL, the appointment of Trescott and Walker Blaine succeeds and is more of a way to turn a bad situation around, rather than a final act of an outgoing SecState.

2.) As for the Navy, except for Hunt living two months longer than OTL, and the desire for what will be proto-heavy battleships being pushed forward a bit more, the navy is still going to be slow to be built up and modernized (the army will be covered later), due to funds and Congressional resistance still popping up.

For those interested, those in the the photograph regarding the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition are:

Those present are (as numbered on the original print): 1. Commander Winfield S. Schley, USN, commanding officer, Greely Relief Expedition, and of USS Thetis; 2. Lieutenant William H. Emory, Jr., commanding officer of USS Bear; 3. Commander George W. Coffin, USN, commanding officer of Steamer Alert; 4. Lieutenant Emory H. Taunt, USN, Thetis; 5. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Samuel C. Lemly, USN, Thetis; 6. Lieutenant Freeman H. Crosby, USN, Bear; 7. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) John C. Colwell, USN, Bear; 8. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Nathaniel R. Usher, USN, Bear; 9. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Charles J. Badger, USN, Alert; 10. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Henry J. Hunt, USN, Alert;
11. Ensign Washington I. Chambers, USN, Thetis; 12. Ensign Charles H. Harlow, USN, Thetis; 13. Ensign Lovell K. Reynolds, USN, Bear; 14. Ensign Charles S. McClain, USN, Alert; 15. Ensign Albert A. Ackerman, USN, Alert;
16. Chief Engineer George W. Melville, USN, Thetis; 17. Chief Engineer John Lowe, USN, Bear; 18. Passed Assistant Engineer William H. Nauman, USN, Alert; 19. Passed Assistant Surgeon Edward H. Green, USN, Thetis; 20. Passed Assistant Surgeon Howard E. Ames, USN, Bear; 21. Passed Assistant Surgeon Francis S. Nash, USN, Alert;
22. First Lieutenant Adolphus W. Greely, U.S. Army; 23. Private Julius Frederick, U.S. Army; 24. Sergeant David L. Brainard, U.S. Army; 25. Private Henry Bierderbick, U.S. Army; 26. Private Maurice Connell, U.S. Army; 27. Private Francis Long, U.S. Army;
28. Lieutenant Uriel Sebree, USN, Thetis;
I do now put something to you readers (whoever may be left), who should become the New Secretary of the Navy? Should we simply stick Arthur's navy Secretary William E. Chandler in that position, or is there someone else you think it might be better to choose?
 
I did enjoy the update.

I suppose if you think Garfield would try to replace Hunt with what would surely be a capable Secretary of the Navy, James Soley would be Benjamin Harrison's Assistant Secretary of the Navy and would at this time be very much involved with the Navy.

The thing that waves me away from this is Wikipedia seems to be very confused as to when Assistant Secretaries of the Navy actually served in their positions.

Though a close ally from Congress or the Courts seems to be a trend with the position, so would someone like the former Treasury Secretary and Current Senator John Sherman take the position?
 
I did enjoy the update.

I suppose if you think Garfield would try to replace Hunt with what would surely be a capable Secretary of the Navy, James Soley would be Benjamin Harrison's Assistant Secretary of the Navy and would at this time be very much involved with the Navy.

The thing that waves me away from this is Wikipedia seems to be very confused as to when Assistant Secretaries of the Navy actually served in their positions.

Though a close ally from Congress or the Courts seems to be a trend with the position, so would someone like the former Treasury Secretary and Current Senator John Sherman take the position?
Sherman is a possibility, though taking into account the fact that might have him and Blaine going at it over political differences and the fact both lost the nomination in 80' to Garfield, might make it difficult.

As for dates of term for Assistant Secretary of the Navy, I found that problematic as well, and it appears that the position was largely vacant until 1890 or so...which presents a problem if true, but I'll go with that over conflicting claims of term length.

There are a few other options, though their acceptance/practicality is suspect.

Edmunds of Vermont possible, though potentially unlikely.
Hoar of Massachusetts, though he's a bit of a "radical" in the Half-Breeds own ranks...
 
Sherman is a possibility, though taking into account the fact that might have him and Blaine going at it over political differences and the fact both lost the nomination in 80' to Garfield, might make it difficult.

As for dates of term for Assistant Secretary of the Navy, I found that problematic as well, and it appears that the position was largely vacant until 1890 or so...which presents a problem if true, but I'll go with that over conflicting claims of term length.

There are a few other options, though their acceptance/practicality is suspect.

Edmunds of Vermont possible, though potentially unlikely.
Hoar of Massachusetts, though he's a bit of a "radical" in the Half-Breeds own ranks...

Nonetheless Sherman and Garfield are friends. However, I'm not sure that a sitting senator from an inland (it's on Lake Erie, I know) state would give up his seat so that he could run the navy.
 
Nonetheless Sherman and Garfield are friends. However, I'm not sure that a sitting senator from an inland (it's on Lake Erie, I know) state would give up his seat so that he could run the navy.
True....good point. I suppose. Strongly consider that particular line of potential.

I'm also going to be opening the timeline up at some point to some "guest" bits, in which anyone who wishes can contribute something. I've recently realized that I might not be able to give justice to other regions of the world as well as possible (I'd prefer not to hit the cliches popular in writing alternate history where nothing happens at all in other lands, like South America just being in a sort of "there" stasis or whatever....), and acknowledge that some people might be able to assist in extrapolating from current events depicted, how changes might occur elsewhere, like Africa or Southern/Eastern Eruope, and what-have-you.

Another thing, having recently gone to see "Saving Mr. Banks" this afternoon, I believe this line sums a future update rather well...

"Winds in the east, mist coming in. / Like somethin' is brewin' and bout to begin. / Can't put me finger on what lies in store, / But I fear what's to happen all happened before."

Also, any questions or queries about historical figures or current ones? I'm more than willing to talk about the future of some if someone so desires that.

The only thing that's been troubling me has been those damn butterflies...I'll have to talk to Dr. Venture about how to deal with them or something.
 
True....good point. I suppose. Strongly consider that particular line of potential.

I'm also going to be opening the timeline up at some point to some "guest" bits, in which anyone who wishes can contribute something. I've recently realized that I might not be able to give justice to other regions of the world as well as possible (I'd prefer not to hit the cliches popular in writing alternate history where nothing happens at all in other lands, like South America just being in a sort of "there" stasis or whatever....), and acknowledge that some people might be able to assist in extrapolating from current events depicted, how changes might occur elsewhere, like Africa or Southern/Eastern Eruope, and what-have-you.

Another thing, having recently gone to see "Saving Mr. Banks" this afternoon, I believe this line sums a future update rather well...

"Winds in the east, mist coming in. / Like somethin' is brewin' and bout to begin. / Can't put me finger on what lies in store, / But I fear what's to happen all happened before."

Also, any questions or queries about historical figures or current ones? I'm more than willing to talk about the future of some if someone so desires that.

The only thing that's been troubling me has been those damn butterflies...I'll have to talk to Dr. Venture about how to deal with them or something.

Where is Robert Todd Lincoln these days in your timeline?
 
Where is Robert Todd Lincoln these days in your timeline?

He was Garfield's Secretary of War, so I imagine he'd still be holding that position.
Indeed. Robert T. Lincoln has in a way been broken of that little "curse" that followed him without him even knowing it.

Of course, the military is going to be involved in one of the most controversial events of Garfields tenure....
 
Indeed. Robert T. Lincoln has in a way been broken of that little "curse" that followed him without him even knowing it.

Of course, the military is going to be involved in one of the most controversial events of Garfields tenure....

I'm looking forward to it.
 
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