In His Own Right, Part II
- Thread starter LacheyS
- Start date
Won't the British pissed off by the Russian with these Persian scheme? The Anglo-Russian Alliance would be strained if this acually happen. First the French had 'sold out' the Entente Cordiale, now the Russian are meddling in Persia. The Brit will be totally pissed after this.
Hope the Japanese won't do something stupid too, or the Brit will consider that they could trust no one.
Hope the Japanese won't do something stupid too, or the Brit will consider that they could trust no one.
M.Passit said:Won't the British pissed off by the Russian with these Persian scheme? The Anglo-Russian Alliance would be strained if this acually happen. First the French had 'sold out' the Entente Cordiale, now the Russian are meddling in Persia. The Brit will be totally pissed after this.
The British will be very upset. However, I am thinking that they won't have any proof that the Russians are behind it. As far as the British are concerned, the Russians support the current Shah, so the rising of this upstart in the north could potentially represent just another faction on the rise in Persia. I can see the Russians "discovering" the arms shipments when it is too late and bringing them to a halt, then offering to negotiate with Kuchak Khan on behalf of their ally, Britain, to ensure it doesn't totally lose its oil concession, arguing that as he has a socialist leaning, Russia would have a better chance of getting him to act responsibly than Britain.
I don't see the Japanese doing anything particularly dumb. In fact, they are very eager to have strong relations with Britain and to improve relations with the United States. I will see if I can get a visit by the Japanese PM to Washington in the next installment. After all, if the new American President is keen to get rid of the Empire, he might be willing to lease the Philippines to Japan?!?
The Democratic Convention
2 July 1912
With the Republican Administration bogged down in a police action in Central America, suffering from the impeachment of one of their industrial court judges, and generally giving off the scent of a carcass to the Democratic vultures, those gathering in Baltimore were positively salivating in preparation for their feast on power. Five candidates had thrown their hat into the ring for the ultimate right to serve up that power.
William Jennings Bryan, the two-time nominee for the Presidency, opened the convention in his deep and commanding tones, stating his belief in the ability of the party to choose that which was good and right. He called on the party to fight the big business and banks of New York, the "new nationalism", the imperialism of the age and to stand for "true Christianity", temperance and peace. The Republicans, long believing him to be the preferred candidate, had attacked him in the press repeatedly, building the image of a religious fanatic surrounded by dangerous people who would drive the American economy into the ground. There was genuine concern among some factions of the party that he would be nominated.
Among them were those from the House of Representatives. Speaker James Beauchamp Clark and House Majority Leader Oscar Underwood played to the audience, pledging to retain those aspects of progressive America that had "benefited us all" but viciously criticising the Administration's foreign policy. Underwood earned the ire of Clark, however, when he warned against allowing the Democratic Party to become the bastion of moral values, a veiled assault on Bryan, stating that America stood for "religious and moral freedom, not prescription". It has since been suggested that Clark encouraged Underwood's attack, precisely to win Bryan's sympathies by defending him.
They were followed by Senator Woodrow Wilson, who called for stiff penalties against the wealthy, affiliation between the Democrats and trade unions, nationalisation of key industries, low tariffs and benefits for farmers. He also spoke about the need to repair "the radical defects in our system of government". On the latter point, the audience response and applause was muted, uncertain due to his failure to specify exactly what they were. They were likewise confused by the technical ramblings of Governor Judson Harmon of Ohio. Their failure to capture the crowds would play into the eventual ballot for President.
In the first round, Oscar Underwood was eliminated, scoring only 94 out of a possible 1030 votes. He released his supporters and the ballot in the second round was:
James Beauchamp Clark: 447 votes
Woodrow Wilson: 259 votes
William Jennings Bryan: 206 votes
Gov. Judson Harmon: 118 votes
All quickly realised that, should Harmon join the Clark camp, the convention would be over. However, Harmon despised all three of his other contenders equally for their advocacy of social reform. He released his votes to go where they would. In the 3rd ballot, the result was:
James Beauchamp Clark: 480 votes
Woodrow Wilson: 286 votes
William Jennings Bryan: 264 votes
Bryan knew that Clark needed all his votes to get the two-thirds required and that Wilson was unlikely to get full party support. Valuing Clark's defence of his beliefs against Underwood, he threw his support to the Speaker.
Speaker Clark looked at a number of potential Vice Presidents before finally deciding that the unity of the party required him to reach out to Wilson by appointing one of his closest supporters, Senator John Williams of Mississippi.
2 July 1912
With the Republican Administration bogged down in a police action in Central America, suffering from the impeachment of one of their industrial court judges, and generally giving off the scent of a carcass to the Democratic vultures, those gathering in Baltimore were positively salivating in preparation for their feast on power. Five candidates had thrown their hat into the ring for the ultimate right to serve up that power.
William Jennings Bryan, the two-time nominee for the Presidency, opened the convention in his deep and commanding tones, stating his belief in the ability of the party to choose that which was good and right. He called on the party to fight the big business and banks of New York, the "new nationalism", the imperialism of the age and to stand for "true Christianity", temperance and peace. The Republicans, long believing him to be the preferred candidate, had attacked him in the press repeatedly, building the image of a religious fanatic surrounded by dangerous people who would drive the American economy into the ground. There was genuine concern among some factions of the party that he would be nominated.
Among them were those from the House of Representatives. Speaker James Beauchamp Clark and House Majority Leader Oscar Underwood played to the audience, pledging to retain those aspects of progressive America that had "benefited us all" but viciously criticising the Administration's foreign policy. Underwood earned the ire of Clark, however, when he warned against allowing the Democratic Party to become the bastion of moral values, a veiled assault on Bryan, stating that America stood for "religious and moral freedom, not prescription". It has since been suggested that Clark encouraged Underwood's attack, precisely to win Bryan's sympathies by defending him.
They were followed by Senator Woodrow Wilson, who called for stiff penalties against the wealthy, affiliation between the Democrats and trade unions, nationalisation of key industries, low tariffs and benefits for farmers. He also spoke about the need to repair "the radical defects in our system of government". On the latter point, the audience response and applause was muted, uncertain due to his failure to specify exactly what they were. They were likewise confused by the technical ramblings of Governor Judson Harmon of Ohio. Their failure to capture the crowds would play into the eventual ballot for President.
In the first round, Oscar Underwood was eliminated, scoring only 94 out of a possible 1030 votes. He released his supporters and the ballot in the second round was:
James Beauchamp Clark: 447 votes
Woodrow Wilson: 259 votes
William Jennings Bryan: 206 votes
Gov. Judson Harmon: 118 votes
All quickly realised that, should Harmon join the Clark camp, the convention would be over. However, Harmon despised all three of his other contenders equally for their advocacy of social reform. He released his votes to go where they would. In the 3rd ballot, the result was:
James Beauchamp Clark: 480 votes
Woodrow Wilson: 286 votes
William Jennings Bryan: 264 votes
Bryan knew that Clark needed all his votes to get the two-thirds required and that Wilson was unlikely to get full party support. Valuing Clark's defence of his beliefs against Underwood, he threw his support to the Speaker.
Speaker Clark looked at a number of potential Vice Presidents before finally deciding that the unity of the party required him to reach out to Wilson by appointing one of his closest supporters, Senator John Williams of Mississippi.
Coming Up
Only one post to go, and "In His Own Right" Chapter Two will be done.
I have been debating how to finish. There are three major events remaining in 1912, but the election is the first of these. I think that maybe we started on an election night, and we should finish on an election night. My other alternative was to continue through to March 1913, when Roosevelt actually leaves the Oval Office.
After that, I will be taking a break to read other people's work and to polish all of this up into a state that DMA can take it to publication in CTT, a promise I made to him months ago. I can't believe how long I've been going on this.
However, I would like to come back and write in this world again, though it won't be the same without TR. I will need a new hero, and I am thinking Trotsky, who has always fascinated me. It will be interesting to see how a democratically-elected, Communist-dominated coalition government works since such a thing is ASB is our world.
Anyway, I just wanted to say to each and every one of my loyal readers, thank you for making this just the best experience ever. When I started, I knew next to nothing about early 20th century American and European history. I knew I could write university essays, but didn't know if I could hold the attention of an audience for very long. Where I have faltered, most of you have been extremely gracious in pointing out my errors. There have always been fascinating little suggestions which, even if they haven't made it into the final text, have often got the little men in my brain working overtime and producing something which seems completely alien to the original idea, but nonetheless the inspiration came from you. So my enormous thanks and I hope to meet you back here over the next few months, either in chat or in your own timelines.
Until we meet again, LacheyS
Only one post to go, and "In His Own Right" Chapter Two will be done.
I have been debating how to finish. There are three major events remaining in 1912, but the election is the first of these. I think that maybe we started on an election night, and we should finish on an election night. My other alternative was to continue through to March 1913, when Roosevelt actually leaves the Oval Office.After that, I will be taking a break to read other people's work and to polish all of this up into a state that DMA can take it to publication in CTT, a promise I made to him months ago. I can't believe how long I've been going on this.
However, I would like to come back and write in this world again, though it won't be the same without TR. I will need a new hero, and I am thinking Trotsky, who has always fascinated me. It will be interesting to see how a democratically-elected, Communist-dominated coalition government works
since such a thing is ASB is our world. Anyway, I just wanted to say to each and every one of my loyal readers, thank you for making this just the best experience ever. When I started, I knew next to nothing about early 20th century American and European history.
I knew I could write university essays, but didn't know if I could hold the attention of an audience for very long. Where I have faltered, most of you have been extremely gracious in pointing out my errors. There have always been fascinating little suggestions which, even if they haven't made it into the final text, have often got the little men in my brain working overtime and producing something which seems completely alien to the original idea, but nonetheless the inspiration came from you. So my enormous thanks and I hope to meet you back here over the next few months, either in chat or in your own timelines.Until we meet again, LacheyS
LacheyS said:Only one post to go, and "In His Own Right" Chapter Two will be done.
After that, I will be taking a break to read other people's work and to polish all of this up into a state that DMA can take it to publication in CTT, a promise I made to him months ago. I can't believe how long I've been going on this.
However, I would like to come back and write in this world again, though it won't be the same without TR. I will need a new hero, and I am thinking Trotsky, who has always fascinated me. It will be interesting to see how a democratically-elected, Communist-dominated coalition government works
Anyway, I just wanted to say to each and every one of my loyal readers, thank you for making this just the best experience ever. When I started, I knew next to nothing about early 20th century American and European history.
Until we meet again, LacheyS
Its been a pleasure to read your work... Ive learned a lot..
The End of An Era
The first reports came in from Indiana and indicated that there was a rout underway. Senator Albert Beveridge was confirmed as the first casualty, losing his Senate seat to the Democrats. Over the course of the evening, a number of Senate seats would change hands, taking the Democrats from 49 to 55 Senators and strengthening their majority in the upper house of the Congress.
Until 8:17PM, there were no pieces of good news for the Republicans, as figures from Kentucky, Florida and Georgia strengthed the Democrat strangehold. Florida provided an interesting piece of news for the Socialist Labor Party, where they moved into second place in front of poor showings from the Constitutional and Republican Parties. As figures then began to arrive from New England, the state of Vermont fell to the Democrats, while the Republicans managed to hold on to New Hampshire. Nonetheless, by 8:30PM, more figures had arrived from South Carolina and Virginia and James Beauchamp Clark had opened up a 71-vote lead in the Electoral College. Shortly thereafter, North Carolina and West Virginia confirmed the trend, although the latter state remained uncertain for about forty minutes until the trend became undeniable.
At 8:46PM, the Republicans were dealt a blow when the President's son-in-law, Nicholas Longworth, was dumped from his Ohio seat. The heartland state, home to both Republican James Garfield and Constitutional leader William Taft, turned to the Democratic Party in large numbers. By 9PM, three hours into counting, the Electoral College stood at Clark 119 votes to Root 4 votes.
Though Connecticut and Delaware were both disappointments, there was a spark in the Republican camp when they managed to hold on to Illinois, confirmed at 9:02PM, when the Electoral College vote stood at 129 to 33. There were further causes for excitement when, after losing Maine and Maryland, they took Massachusetts and Michigan at 9:10PM. The vote stood at 137 to 72.
Over the next ten minutes, calls came in from Mississippi, Oklahoma and Missouri for the Democrats, and New Jersey and Pennsylvania for the Republicans. But by 9:30 PM, with the declarations of Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and Arkansas for the Democrats, the vote was once again headed against the GOP. The Electoral College stood at 221 votes for Clark to 124 for Root.
Two southern states, Alambama and Louisiana, were yet to declare a result, but they were certain Democrat winners. With 22 votes between them, that would take Clark half the remaining way to victory. They had both declared by 10:20PM, along with Arizona, Colorado and Kansas. Only Kansas had supported the Republicans, and the vote then stood at Clark 251; Root 134. By 10:30PM, Minnesota had joined the Republican camp and Nebraska and New Mexico the Democratic side, and the vote stood at Clark 262/Root 146. It was at 10:36PM that the largest state, New York, concluded the contest, declaring its 45 electoral votes for the next President of the United States: James Beauchamp Clark.
In the final summary, Clark took 44.9% of the Presidential vote, easily besting Root on 30.8%. William Howard Taft came in last place on 11.2%, having been beaten by Eugene Debs, who took 13.1%. It had been a landslide, with Clark winning 325 out of 529 Electoral votes. The only place where the Constitutional Paty made a firm showing was in Utah. As a result, its Senate delegation was virtually wiped out. The new Senate would consist of 55 Democrats, 39 Republicans and 2 Constitutionalists (both from Utah). The House contests saw further losses for the Republicans. They lost eighteen seats to fall to 127 seats. Four of those went to the Democrats, who climbed to 172 seats, six went to the Constitutional Party (80 seats) and the remaining eight went to Socialist Labor candidates (8 seats).
President Theodore Roosevelt sat on the bench, smoking his pipe, when a shadow fell over him. He looked up to see the Speaker and President-elect standing over him. Forcing his mouth into a smile, he arose and opened the door to the Oval Office. "Mr Speaker, let me show you around."
"Thank you, Mr President. I very much appreciate your time."
"Don't be silly, James. It's the least I can do for you." After all, come 4 March, James Beauchamp Clark would be President in his own right.
The first reports came in from Indiana and indicated that there was a rout underway. Senator Albert Beveridge was confirmed as the first casualty, losing his Senate seat to the Democrats. Over the course of the evening, a number of Senate seats would change hands, taking the Democrats from 49 to 55 Senators and strengthening their majority in the upper house of the Congress.
Until 8:17PM, there were no pieces of good news for the Republicans, as figures from Kentucky, Florida and Georgia strengthed the Democrat strangehold. Florida provided an interesting piece of news for the Socialist Labor Party, where they moved into second place in front of poor showings from the Constitutional and Republican Parties. As figures then began to arrive from New England, the state of Vermont fell to the Democrats, while the Republicans managed to hold on to New Hampshire. Nonetheless, by 8:30PM, more figures had arrived from South Carolina and Virginia and James Beauchamp Clark had opened up a 71-vote lead in the Electoral College. Shortly thereafter, North Carolina and West Virginia confirmed the trend, although the latter state remained uncertain for about forty minutes until the trend became undeniable.
At 8:46PM, the Republicans were dealt a blow when the President's son-in-law, Nicholas Longworth, was dumped from his Ohio seat. The heartland state, home to both Republican James Garfield and Constitutional leader William Taft, turned to the Democratic Party in large numbers. By 9PM, three hours into counting, the Electoral College stood at Clark 119 votes to Root 4 votes.
Though Connecticut and Delaware were both disappointments, there was a spark in the Republican camp when they managed to hold on to Illinois, confirmed at 9:02PM, when the Electoral College vote stood at 129 to 33. There were further causes for excitement when, after losing Maine and Maryland, they took Massachusetts and Michigan at 9:10PM. The vote stood at 137 to 72.
Over the next ten minutes, calls came in from Mississippi, Oklahoma and Missouri for the Democrats, and New Jersey and Pennsylvania for the Republicans. But by 9:30 PM, with the declarations of Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and Arkansas for the Democrats, the vote was once again headed against the GOP. The Electoral College stood at 221 votes for Clark to 124 for Root.
Two southern states, Alambama and Louisiana, were yet to declare a result, but they were certain Democrat winners. With 22 votes between them, that would take Clark half the remaining way to victory. They had both declared by 10:20PM, along with Arizona, Colorado and Kansas. Only Kansas had supported the Republicans, and the vote then stood at Clark 251; Root 134. By 10:30PM, Minnesota had joined the Republican camp and Nebraska and New Mexico the Democratic side, and the vote stood at Clark 262/Root 146. It was at 10:36PM that the largest state, New York, concluded the contest, declaring its 45 electoral votes for the next President of the United States: James Beauchamp Clark.
In the final summary, Clark took 44.9% of the Presidential vote, easily besting Root on 30.8%. William Howard Taft came in last place on 11.2%, having been beaten by Eugene Debs, who took 13.1%. It had been a landslide, with Clark winning 325 out of 529 Electoral votes. The only place where the Constitutional Paty made a firm showing was in Utah. As a result, its Senate delegation was virtually wiped out. The new Senate would consist of 55 Democrats, 39 Republicans and 2 Constitutionalists (both from Utah). The House contests saw further losses for the Republicans. They lost eighteen seats to fall to 127 seats. Four of those went to the Democrats, who climbed to 172 seats, six went to the Constitutional Party (80 seats) and the remaining eight went to Socialist Labor candidates (8 seats).
President Theodore Roosevelt sat on the bench, smoking his pipe, when a shadow fell over him. He looked up to see the Speaker and President-elect standing over him. Forcing his mouth into a smile, he arose and opened the door to the Oval Office. "Mr Speaker, let me show you around."
"Thank you, Mr President. I very much appreciate your time."
"Don't be silly, James. It's the least I can do for you." After all, come 4 March, James Beauchamp Clark would be President in his own right.